33 Howbeit thou art just in all that is brought upon us; for thou hast done right, but we have done wickedly:
33 In all that has happened to us, you have remained righteous; you have acted faithfully, while we acted wickedly.
33 Yet you have been righteous in all that has come upon us, for you have dealt faithfully and we have acted wickedly.
33 You are not to blame for all that has come down on us; You did everything right, we did everything wrong.
33 However You are just in all that has befallen us; For You have dealt faithfully, But we have done wickedly.
33 Every time you punished us you were being just. We have sinned greatly, and you gave us only what we deserved.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Nehemiah 9:33
Commentary on Nehemiah 9:4-38
(Read Nehemiah 9:4-38)
The summary of their prayers we have here upon record. Much more, no doubt, was said. Whatever ability we have to do any thing in the way of duty, we are to serve and glorify God according to the utmost of it. When confessing our sins, it is good to notice the mercies of God, that we may be the more humbled and ashamed. The dealings of the Lord showed his goodness and long-suffering, and the hardness of their hearts. The testimony of the prophets was the testimony of the Spirit in the prophets, and it was the Spirit of Christ in them. They spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, and what they said is to be received accordingly. The result was, wonder at the Lord's mercies, and the feeling that sin had brought them to their present state, from which nothing but unmerited love could rescue them. And is not their conduct a specimen of human nature? Let us study the history of our land, and our own history. Let us recollect our advantages from childhood, and ask what were our first returns? Let us frequently do so, that we may be kept humble, thankful, and watchful. Let all remember that pride and obstinacy are sins which ruin the soul. But it is often as hard to persuade the broken-hearted to hope, as formerly it was to bring them to fear. Is this thy case? Behold this sweet promise, A God ready to pardon! Instead of keeping away from God under a sense of unworthiness, let us come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. He is a God ready to pardon.