When all were in order they marched to the Valley Gate, on the western side of the city.  Here Nehemiah divided them into two companies, in order that they might make the circuit of the city, walking in gay procession on the top of the new walls.  One company was to go north and the other south, walking round the city until they met on the other side; whilst all the people stood below, watching the progress of the two processions, each of which was formed of singers, nobles and priests, who were dressed in white and flowing robes.

It must have been a grand and imposing sight, as the bright Eastern sun streamed on the dazzling white of their fine linen, and made their instruments glitter and shine.  Then there was the sound of glorious music, which seemed to encircle the city in a wave of rejoicing and song.  Everyone made merry that day, and no wonder; it was a day to be remembered.

The order of each procession was as follows.  First and foremost went a band of musicians with their various instruments.  Then followed a small company of princes, the finest men in the nation, arrayed in all the brilliance of Eastern costume, and bringing up the rear were seven priests, bearing trumpets.  Each procession had a leader, Nehemiah conducted one, and Ezra the scribe the other.

Ezra’s procession proceeded southward, and then eastward.  They passed the Dung Gate, whence was swept out the refuse of the city.  Then they came to the Fountain Gate, opposite to the Pool of Siloam, and here they descended by steps in the Tower of Siloam.  They probably came down in order that they might dedicate the buildings over the Pool of Siloam and the Dragon Well, and then they climbed to the top of the wall again, by the steps that went up to that part of Jerusalem called the City of David.  From thence Ezra’s procession moved on to the eastern wall, where they were to meet the other party.

Nehemiah’s company, on leaving the Valley Gate, turned northward, passed the Tower of the Furnaces, went across the Broad Wall, which was almost the only piece of the old wall still standing, passed the Gate of Ephraim, the Old Gate, the Tower of Hananeel, the Tower of Meah, the Sheep Gate, and so down to the temple, and the gate named the Prison Gate, because it opened upon a street leading to the court of the prison.

Then, somewhere near the Water Gate, the two processions met, and marched together into the court of the temple, the two bands now joining together in a united glorious strain, whilst the two companies of singers formed again one enormous united choir, and filled the temple courts with their harmonious song.

’So stood the two companies of them that gave thanks in the house of God,’ xii. 40.

Not a voice was silent, there was no idle person in the choir.  Headed by their choir-master they did their utmost to praise the Lord.

‘The singers sang loud, with Jezrahiah their overseer.’