Not only the Samaritans in the north, but the men of Ashdod from the west, the Arabians from the south, and the Ammonites from the east, are gathering together against Jerusalem.

Psalm lxxxiii.

is supposed by many to have been written at this time, and describes the great storm as it arose, and threatened to destroy the defenceless city (Psalm lxxxiii.

1-8).
Poor Nehemiah! he sees the raging of the waters, and he feels that the little boat needs a careful hand at the helm.

He has a double receipt against this new opposition--a receipt which may be summed up in the two words which the Master has given us as our watch-word--Watch and pray.
'Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night.' But the billows rose higher.