Nehemiah 8:11

So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold your peace, for the day [is] holy; neither be ye grieved.

Ver. 11. So the Levites stilled all the people] Made them hold their tongues, and forbear their groans and moans, the expressions of their great grief conceived for their sins, making a wailing like the dragons, mourning as the owls, and saying, "Look away from me; I will weep bitterly, labour not to comfort me," &c., Micah 1:8 Isaiah 22:4. But these holy Levites did comfort them, and quiet them.

Saying, Hold your peace] Or, Sit; peace, and be still.

For the day is holy] And God loves not the bread of mourners for a sacrifice, is like as none might come into the court of Persia in mourning weeds, Esther 4:4. See Nehemiah 8:9 .

Neither be ye grieved] It seems their hearts were even leavened and soured with sorrow, as David's was, Psalms 73:21 .