Matthew Poole and continuators on Nehemiah 9:3

3 And they stood up in their places, and read in the book of the law of the LORD their God, one fourth part of the day , and another fourth part they confessed , and worshipped the LORD their God .

So as they did before, giving them the sense of what they read, of which, see on ch. 8. 7, 8.

To wit, for three hours; for there were accounted 12 hours in their day, Iohn 11. 9. Probably they began after the morning sacrifice, at which, divers religious people used to be present, but now they were all assembled together upon this great occasion: and they continued their work from that time till the evening sacrifice, with which they closed the work of the day.

Both Gods mercies, as appears from the matter of the following prayer, and their own sins, as is expressed, v. 2. this day being chiefly set apart for that work.

Partly by the acknowledgment and adoration of his wonderful mercy in forgiving their sins, and saving them from the deserved judgments which they either felt or feared, and giving them his law, and the knowledge thereof: and partly by imploring his further grace and mercy to them.