In a recent study, Mark Whitters identified a number of liturgical parallels between the events present in Neh 8:1–8 and the art inscriptions of the Achaemenid Empire’s city of Persepolis in the fifth century. This study astutely observes a parallel rubric that exists in Neh 8:1–8 where Ezra stands reading the law of God before the community of Judah and the performative rubrics present in Persian art and inscriptions. This paper finds the proposed parallels convincing. However, it will argue that more can be said; particularly, the events that precipitate after Neh 8:1–8. After the ceremonious event of reading the law, the repatriated people begin to mourn and weep. To this the leadership admonish the people, “This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn or weep” (Neh 8:9). Then the people are told to make celebration with food and drink. Before Nehemiah ends his speech, he closes with these words, “And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” This concept of joy in relation to the inscriptions of the Achaemenid Empire warrant further investigation. Thus, this paper will argue that a parallel is set up as a liturgical contrast to not only Persian liturgy but also to concepts of joy. This is made evident through various royal Persian inscriptions that expect joy and happiness during the king’s rule or suggest that joy and happiness are inseparable from the Persian king. Nehemiah 8 counters such propaganda with its own assertion: God’s protection is reason for having joy.