John Trapp on Nehemiah 4:17

Verſe 17. They which builded on the wall] The Maſter-Maſons, and they that bare burthens, Bajuli, Labourers and Porters, who bear upon their ſhoulders, as much as they can ſtand under, yet go ſinging oft under their burdens: the reaſon whereof Alexander Aphrodiſaeus ſaith is this, that their minds being delighted with the ſweetneſſe of the muſick, the body may be the leſſe ſenſible of the weight they carry. But theſe burden-bearers had little mind to ſing, their lives being in ſuſpence. And yet, as worthy workmen, they went on with the Wall.

Every one with one of his hands wrought, and in the other hand had a weapon] Id eſt, When they were buſieſt in building, they had their weapons in a readineſſe to reſiſt. What a goodly ſight was this? ſaith one, to ſee every one ſo full of courage, that they feared not the enemy; and ſo willing to work, that they would not be weaty. Let Chriſtian men look into this notable example, and be aſhamed of their ſlothfulneſſe, &c.