And I said, “O LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments,
English Standard Version (ESV)
The phrase "keeps covenant and steadfast love" highlights a beautiful reciprocity: God's faithfulness is demonstrated in His steadfast love, and this same steadfast love is what He actively "keeps" or guards for those who "keep" His commandments. It’s not just a passive attribute, but an active, promised commitment mirrored in our own obedience.
And I said, “O LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Nehemiah has just heard devastating news about the walls of Jerusalem being broken down and the people in exile facing distress. He responds by sitting, mourning, weeping, fasting, and praying to God, acknowledging God's greatness and faithfulness as the foundation for his plea. This prayer, echoing phrases used by Daniel and rooted in Deuteronomy, sets the stage for Nehemiah's bold request to the Persian king.
How can God be both 'great and awesome' AND 'terrible'? Nehemiah's prayer reveals a powerful truth about God's character that echoes through the ages.
Nehemiah begins his prayer by calling God 'the great and awesome God.' This isn't just a poetic flourish; it's a profound recognition of God's supreme power and authority over all creation. He is the 'God of heaven,' far above everything we can see or imagine.
But then he adds 'terrible.' This word doesn't mean 'scary' in the way we often use it today. In biblical terms, 'terrible' speaks to God's fearsome holiness and the profound awe He inspires. It acknowledges that God's power is so immense and His justice so absolute that it commands reverence and even trembling. It’s the kind of awe you feel when you witness a powerful storm or stand on the edge of a vast canyon – a recognition of something infinitely greater than yourself.
This combination highlights that God's greatness is matched by His awesomeness, and His power is coupled with a justice that demands respect. He is not a God to be trifled with, but He is also the God who holds all power.
Nehemiah doesn't stop with God's power. He immediately turns to God's faithfulness, revealing a core aspect of His character that fuels our hope.
The prayer continues with a declaration that God 'keeps covenant and steadfast love.' This is the heart of the biblical understanding of God's relationship with His people.
'Covenant' refers to a solemn, binding agreement God makes. He doesn't just make promises; He establishes formal, unbreakable commitments. And the essence of this covenant is 'steadfast love.' This isn't a fleeting emotion, but a loyal, enduring, and active kindness that stems from God's unchanging nature.
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This love is specifically for 'those who love him and keep his commandments.' This shows a beautiful reciprocity. God's faithfulness is the foundation, but our response of love and obedience is what allows us to experience the full depth of His covenant promises. It’s a reminder that God desires a close, obedient relationship with us, and He has committed Himself to us, come what may.
Understand the original words
YHWH · Hebrew Noun
The personal name of the self-existent, covenant-keeping God of Israel (Yahweh), who revealed Himself to Moses at the burning bush.
nora' · Hebrew Adjective
An attribute denoting God's sovereignty, holiness, and majesty, often evoking fear or reverence in human beings due to His absolute power and divine nature.
berit · Hebrew Noun
A formal, binding agreement between God and His people, initiated by Him, defining their relationship and mutual obligations based on His grace.
chesed · Hebrew Noun
Often translated as 'lovingkindness' or 'mercy,' it refers to God's faithful, loyal, and persistent love for His people, rooted in His covenant promises despite their unworthiness.
mitsvah · Hebrew Noun
Divine instructions, precepts, or requirements given by God to His people to guide them in righteous living and reflect His own holy character.
Nehemiah's prayer powerfully echoes the language of earlier prayers, particularly Daniel's, demonstrating a deep familiarity with Scripture and tradition. This prayer arises from the rubble of Jerusalem, a city suffering the consequences of generations of covenant betrayal, underscoring the gravity of Nehemiah's mission.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the northern kingdom of Israel, exiling many of its citizens. This event serves as a stark warning of God's judgment for disobedience.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Southern Kingdom
The Babylonian Empire destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling the remaining Judeans. This catastrophic event represents the pinnacle of God's judgment on Judah for breaking the covenant.
539 BC
Cyrus the Great's Conquest of Babylon
The Persian Empire, led by Cyrus, overthrows the Babylonian Empire. This geopolitical shift paves the way for the return of exiled peoples, including the Jews.
538 BC
Edict of Cyrus for Jewish Return
Cyrus issues a decree allowing exiled Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple. This marks the beginning of the post-exilic period and the first wave of returnees.
c. 445 BC— this verse
Nehemiah's Commission to Rebuild Jerusalem
After hearing distressing news about Jerusalem's state, Nehemiah, cupbearer to King Artaxerxes I, prays for guidance and receives permission to return and rebuild the city walls.
This passage is a direct source for Nehemiah's words, emphasizing God's faithfulness to those who love Him and keep His commands as the basis of His covenant love.
Daniel 9:4Nehemiah's prayer here closely mirrors Daniel's, showcasing a shared understanding of God's greatness, awesomeness, and covenant faithfulness as foundational for prayer.
Psalm 89:34This Psalm speaks to God's unwavering commitment to His covenant, even when His people falter, underscoring the steadfast nature of God's love that Nehemiah is appealing to.
John 14:15Jesus connects love for Him with obedience to His commands, echoing the Old Testament principle Nehemiah invokes, that true love for God is demonstrated through keeping His word.
clarkeNehemiah 1:5: "And said, I beseech thee, O LORD God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments:"
Lord God of heaven - What was, before the captivity, Jehovah, God of hosts or armies. Great - Able to do mighty things. Terrible - able to inflict the heaviest judgments.
gillNehemiah 1:5: "And said, I beseech thee, O LORD God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments:"
And said, I beseech thee, O Lord God of heaven,.... He prayed not to the host of heaven, the sun in it, as the Persians, but to the God of it, in an humble supplicant manner: the great and terrible God; who is to be feared, and had in reverence of all his creatures, because of his greatness and glory, being God over all,…
The phrase "keeps covenant and steadfast love" highlights a beautiful reciprocity: God's faithfulness is demonstrated in His steadfast love, and this same steadfast love is what He actively "keeps" or guards for those who "keep" His commandments. It’s not just a passive attribute, but an active, promised commitment mirrored in our own obedience.
Nehemiah has just heard devastating news about the walls of Jerusalem being broken down and the people in exile facing distress. He responds by sitting, mourning, weeping, fasting, and praying to God, acknowledging God's greatness and faithfulness as the foundation for his plea. This prayer, echoing phrases used by Daniel and rooted in Deuteronomy, sets the stage for Nehemiah's bold request to the Persian king.
Nehemiah has just heard devastating news about the walls of Jerusalem being broken down and the people in exile facing distress. He responds by sitting, mourning, weeping, fasting, and praying to God, acknowledging God's greatness and faithfulness as the foundation for his plea. This prayer, echoing phrases used by Daniel and rooted in Deuteronomy, sets the stage for Nehemiah's bold request to the Persian king.
"And I said, “O LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments," — The phrase "keeps covenant and steadfast love" highlights a beautiful reciprocity: God's faithfulness is demonstrated in His steadfast love, and this same steadfast love is what He actively "keeps" o…
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Last reviewed October 2026