The term the people
contrasts with the work crews labouring on the wall. The reference would be to the general population of Jerusalem, be it the city’s inhabitants or those who were visiting (perhaps from outlying towns; Nehemiah 4:12). To counter the demoralizing effect of the ditty plus the whispers of an imminent attack plus the urging of kindred from the villages, Nehemiah saw the need to give everybody a task (see also on Nehemiah 4:14).
13 So in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, in open places, I stationed the people by their clans, with their swords, their spears, and their bows.