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Ezra 3:8-13

Joy and Weeping at the Foundation

Lyrics · Ezra

Joy and Weeping at the Foundation

Ezra 3:8-13

Lyrics

About this song

About this song

This song belongs to the Ezra collection. One recording is available to play here, with the complete lyrics below.

Bible book
Ezra
Collection
Ezra
Musical styles
Acoustic
[Verse 1] The second month of the second year begins the organized temple work. Jeshua and the remaining priestly and family leaders join him. Jeshua's sons and brethren stand together for oversight. The sons of Henadad and their brethren strengthen the Levitical supervision. [Pre-Chorus] The stones lay broken, every gate was burned, But prayer became the place where courage turned. [Chorus] Joy and Weeping at the Foundation, raise the broken stones, Call the scattered families to their homes. The work grew strong through prayer, truth, and hand, And ruined gates remembered how to stand. [Verse 2] The musical order follows the pattern appointed by David. Singers answer one another in praise and thanksgiving. The people proclaim that God is good. A great shout rises because the foundation is laid. [Bridge] Levites and chief fathers who saw the former house weep loudly. Many others shout aloud for joy. The people cannot distinguish joy from weeping in the combined sound. The great noise is heard from far away. [Final Chorus] Joy and Weeping at the Foundation, raise the broken stones, Call the scattered families to their homes. The work grew strong through prayer, truth, and hand, And ruined gates remembered where to stand. [Outro] The wall stood firm, but hearts still needed care. The work was stone and covenant and prayer.

Named in this songJeshuaDavid

About the passage

Ezra 3: An altar first, then a foundation and mingled voices

Ezra 3 restores worship in an order that may feel backwards at first: altar before temple, sacrifices before foundation, calendar before walls. Jeshua and Zerubbabel lead the people in rebuilding the altar on its established site, and fear of surrounding peoples remains present while morning and evening offerings begin. The chapter then turns to materials, wages, cedar, transport, and supervision, showing how a celebrated foundation depends on ordinary procurement and labor. When the foundation is finally laid, the Book of Ezra refuses to give the moment one emotion. Priests and Levites praise, many people shout for joy, and older witnesses who remember the former house weep loudly. The sounds become impossible to separate, making restoration audible as both recovery and loss at once.

Study Ezra 3 in depth