Ezra 3:11

And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because [he is] good, for his mercy [endureth] for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.

And they sang together by course {H6030} in praising {H1984} and giving thanks {H3034} unto the LORD {H3068}; because he is good {H2896}, for his mercy {H2617} endureth for ever {H5769} toward Israel {H3478}. And all the people {H5971} shouted {H7321} with a great {H1419} shout {H8643}, when they praised {H1984} the LORD {H3068}, because the foundation {H3245} of the house {H1004} of the LORD {H3068} was laid {H3245}.

They sang antiphonally, praising and giving "thanks to ADONAI, for he is good, for his grace continues forever" toward Isra'el. All the people raised a great shout of praise to ADONAI, because the foundation of the house of ADONAI had been laid.

And they sang responsively with praise and thanksgiving to the LORD: β€œFor He is good; for His loving devotion to Israel endures forever.” Then all the people gave a great shout of praise to the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD had been laid.

And they sang one to another in praising and giving thanks unto Jehovah, saying, For he is good, for his lovingkindness endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised Jehovah, because the foundation of the house of Jehovah was laid.

Commentary

Context

Ezra 3:11 describes a pivotal moment in the history of the returning Jewish exiles. After the Babylonian exile, a remnant of God's people, led by Zerubbabel and Jeshua, had returned to Jerusalem. Their immediate task was to rebuild the Temple, which had been destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar. Chapter 3 details the re-establishment of altar worship and the laying of the foundation for the Second Temple. This verse captures the profound joy and gratitude of the people as they witnessed the physical beginning of the "house of the LORD" once more in their midst, fulfilling centuries of prophecy and hope for restoration.

Key Themes

  • Corporate Worship and Thanksgiving: The verse highlights a communal act of worship. The phrase "sang together by course" suggests an antiphonal style, where groups would sing responsively, emphasizing unity in praise. This collective expression of thanksgiving underscores the importance of community in worship.
  • God's Enduring Goodness and Mercy: The central theme of their song was God's unchanging character: "because [he is] good, for his mercy [endureth] for ever toward Israel." This refrain, echoing numerous Psalms (e.g., Psalm 136:1), served as a powerful declaration of God's steadfast love (Hebrew: hesed) and faithfulness despite Israel's past failures and the recent exile.
  • Joy in Restoration: The "great shout" signifies overwhelming joy and relief. Laying the foundation of the Temple was not just a construction milestone; it was a visible sign of God's faithfulness, the renewal of His covenant, and the rebuilding of their national and spiritual identity after generations of displacement.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "by course" (Hebrew: 'al yād) literally means "by the hand of" or "in turn," indicating a responsive or antiphonal singing, a common practice in ancient Israelite worship. This style would have allowed for broad participation and a powerful, unified sound of praise. The declaration "his mercy endureth for ever" (Hebrew: ki le'olam hasdo) is a recurring liturgical formula throughout the Old Testament, particularly prominent in the Psalms and Chronicles, affirming God's everlasting covenant loyalty and unfailing kindness.

Practical Application

Ezra 3:11 offers timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Celebrate Milestones: It encourages us to recognize and celebrate God's work in our lives and communities, no matter how small the beginning may seem. The laying of a foundation, though not the completed building, was cause for immense celebration.
  • Remember God's Faithfulness: Like the exiles, we are called to praise God for His inherent goodness and His unchanging mercy, especially when we see evidence of His restorative hand at work after periods of difficulty or brokenness.
  • Engage in Corporate Worship: The verse reminds us of the power and beauty of collective worship. When believers unite in praise and thanksgiving, it creates a powerful witness to God's character and strengthens the community of faith.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Chronicles 16:34

    O give thanks unto the LORD; for [he is] good; for his mercy [endureth] for ever.

  • Psalms 106:1

    ΒΆ Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for [he is] good: for his mercy [endureth] for ever.

  • Psalms 107:1

    ΒΆ O give thanks unto the LORD, for [he is] good: for his mercy [endureth] for ever.

  • Psalms 103:17

    But the mercy of the LORD [is] from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;

  • Psalms 135:3

    Praise the LORD; for the LORD [is] good: sing praises unto his name; for [it is] pleasant.

  • Psalms 118:1

    ΒΆ O give thanks unto the LORD; for [he is] good: because his mercy [endureth] for ever.

  • Jeremiah 33:11

    The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the LORD of hosts: for the LORD [is] good; for his mercy [endureth] for ever: [and] of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the LORD.
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