Persian rulers used the phrase God of heaven
to refer to Israel’s God. Cyrus added the word Lord
(Ezra 1:2), but Darius and Artaxerxes did not (Ezra 6:9–10; Ezra 7:12, Ezra 7:21, Ezra 7:23). Nehemiah is very upfront that he is praying not to some distant God in far-off heaven but to Israel’s covenant God (Exodus 6:3–4; Exodus 20:2; Lord—small caps = Yahweh) who chose to dwell among his people in heavenly glory in the Most Holy Place of the tabernacle (Exodus 29:45–46; Exodus 40:34–38).
5 And I said, “O LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments,