represent the custom of the time and the influence of the Deuteronomic theology.5 1:5 Nehemiah’s prayer (vv. 5–11) reminds us of psalms classified as Community Laments (e.g., Pss 74; 79; 80; 85); however, this prayer lacks the complaint element common to those psalms. Westermann notes that in the time of Ezra and Nehemiah the Prayer of Repentance was taking the place of the Community Laments.6 This prayer is actually a prayer of repentance. It can be outlined as follows: (a) invocation to God; (b)
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