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Ezra 5:1-17

The Eye of Their God Was upon Them

Lyrics · Ezra

The Eye of Their God Was upon Them

Ezra 5:1-17

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] Haggai the prophet speaks to the Jews in Judah and Jerusalem. Both prophets speak in the name of the God of Israel. Jeshua son of Jozadak joins the renewed work. Tatnai governor beyond the river comes to inspect. [Pre-Chorus] The stones lay broken, every gate was burned, But prayer became the place where courage turned. [Chorus] The Eye of Their God Was upon Them, 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 work is not stopped while a report is sent to Darius. Tatnai's letter describes the rapidly progressing stone and timber work. The investigators repeat their questions about decree and leadership. They confess that ancestral provocation brought Babylonian destruction. [Bridge] Sacred vessels were returned to Sheshbazzar. Sheshbazzar laid the foundation after coming to Jerusalem. The elders explain that construction has continued but is not finished. The letter asks Darius to search the royal treasury for Cyrus's decree. [Final Chorus] The Eye of Their God Was upon Them, 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 songHaggaiJerusalemCyrus

About the passage

Ezra 5: The builders resume while the inquiry travels

Ezra 5 begins where the stopped work left off, but this time prophetic speech and renewed construction move together. Haggai and Zechariah stand with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the elders as the temple work resumes. Provincial officials arrive and ask who authorized the project, yet unlike the earlier enforcement under Artaxerxes, this inquiry does not immediately halt construction. Tatnai reports the substantial stones, timber, and rapid progress to Darius, then includes the elders' own explanation. Their defense is notable for what it admits as well as what it claims: Israel's fathers provoked God, Nebuchadnezzar destroyed the former house, Cyrus later authorized rebuilding, and the royal record can verify it. The chapter ends with an appeal not for sympathy but for an archival search and a ruling.

Study Ezra 5 in depth