Past Meets Present in Prayer (Neh 12.24)

And the leaders of the Levites: Hashabiah, Sherebiah, and Jeshua son of Kadmiel, with their associates over against them, to praise and to give thanks, according to the commandment of David the man of God, section opposite to section. Mattaniah, Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon, and Akkub were gatekeepers standing guard at the storehouses of the gates. 

Background

After the long prayer of confession in chapter 9, the writer of Nehemiah treats us to a lengthy list of the names of signatories to the agreement to restore their community to the ways of God. This includes not only a list of names, clans, and official groups (10.1-28), but the specifics of how they will obey the law of God (10.29-39).

Next comes a list of people who will move into the city (selected by a lottery), followed by a list of people in various settlements and then lists of other groups, such as the priests (11.1-12.26). It is in this section that we find the next mention of prayer.

The leader of the Levites and their associates are to “praise and give thanks” in song, as ordered by King David. 

Meaning

The prayers here, praise and thanksgiving, are offered in song, as commanded by David (found in places in First and Second Chronicles, see for example 1 Chron 15–16; 23–29). The groups are to do it by standing opposite one another in their section, and singing antiphonally, that is, the two choirs interact with one another, singing alternate musical prayers.