God had revealed through Moses that his anger rest on thousands of those who disobey (Deuteronomy 5:9). The fact that Nehemiah lived with the exiles in Babylon was the bitter fruit of Israel’s sin (and of God’s faithfulness to his promises of curse), and so we might expect some reference to God’s righteous judgment. But since Nehemiah intends to pray for restoration (as promised by the prophets), his focus is on God’s steadfast love.
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,