O LORD, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, who desire to fear thy name: and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the king’s cupbearer.
O LORD, I beg you, please listen carefully to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayers of your servants who want to honor your name. Please give your servant success today, and let this man show me kindness. I was the king's cupbearer.
Nehemiah is asking God to listen to his prayer and give him success when he approaches the king, revealing that he served as the king's cupbearer.
📚 Historical Context
In the historical context, Nehemiah was a Jewish exile living in the Persian Empire during the 5th century BC, serving as the cupbearer to King Artaxerxes I, a position that involved tasting the king's wine for poison and thus required great trust and proximity to the ruler. This verse concludes Nehemiah's prayer after he learned of Jerusalem's ruined walls and the suffering of his people, as he seeks God's favor to approach the king for permission to help rebuild the city. It reflects the broader biblical narrative of God's people in exile, longing for restoration and divine intervention.
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