Nehemiah went directly to the God who was his strength and his anchor. He had earlier confessed that this God was great and awesome
as illustrated in his faithfulness to his covenant promises, even in the face of his people’s sin (recall Nehemiah 1:5). This is the God who had promised to Abram that him who dishonors you I will curse
(Genesis 12:3). So he insisted to Moses that vengeance was always his department (Deuteronomy 32:35), so much so that his people were always safe with him.
4 Hear, O our God, for we are despised. Turn back their taunt on their own heads and give them up to be plundered in a land where they are captives.