Charles Ellicott Commentary Nehemiah 9:32

"Now therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the terrible God, who keepest covenant and lovingkindness, let not all the travail seem little before thee, that hath come upon us, on our kings, on our princes, and on our priests, and on our prophets, and on our fathers, and on all thy people, since the time of the kings of Assyria unto this day." — Nehemiah 9:32 (ASV)

Here begins the prayer proper.

Kings of Assyria. — The rod of God’s anger (Isaiah 10:5). Pul, Tiglath-pileser, Shalmaneser, Sargon, Sennacherib, Esar-haddon are traced in the sacred record as successive scourges.