Job 9:19-29

19 If I speak of strength, lo, He is strong; and if of judgment, who shall set me a time to plead?
20 If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me; if I say, `I am perfect,' it shall also prove me perverse.
21 Though I were perfect, yet would I not know my soul; I would despise my life.
22 This is all one thing. Therefore I said it: `He destroyeth the perfect and the wicked.'
23 If the scourge slay suddenly, He will laugh at the trial of the innocent.
24 The earth is given into the hand of the wicked. He covereth the faces of the judges thereof. If not, where and who is He?
25 "Now my days are swifter than a courier; they flee away, they see no good.
26 They are passed away as the swift ships, as the eagle that hasteneth to the prey.
27 If I say, `I will forget my complaint, I will leave off my heaviness and comfort myself,'
28 I am afraid of all my sorrows; I know that Thou wilt not hold me innocent.
29 If I be wicked, why then labor I in vain?

Job 9:19-29 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 9

This and the following chapter contain Job's answer to Bildad, and in this he asserts the strict justice at God; which is such, that no man can be just in his sight, not being able to answer to one charge, or for one sin, of a thousand he is guilty of, Job 9:1-3; and that such are his wisdom and power, that the most daring man cannot expect to succeed in an opposition to him, Job 9:4; instances are given of his power in the works of nature and providence, Job 9:5-10; notice is taken of the imperceptibleness of his actions and motions, and of his sovereignty in all his ways, Job 9:11,12; and of his fierce wrath and anger, which is such as obliges the proudest of men to stoop under him; and therefore Job chose not to contend in a judicial way with him, but in a suppliant manner would entreat him, since his hand was so heavy upon him, Job 9:13-21; he affirms, in direct opposition to Bildad and his friends, and insists upon it, that God afflicts both the righteous and the wicked; yea, gives the earth to the latter when he slays the former, Job 9:22-24; he then observes the shortness of his days, and complains of his heavy afflictions, Job 9:25-28; and concludes, that it was in vain for him to expect his cause to be heard before God, there being no daysman between them; and wishes that the dread of the Divine Majesty might be taken from him, and then he would freely and without fear speak unto him, Job 9:29-35.

Third Millennium Bible (TMB), New Authorized Version, Copyright 1998 by Deuel Enterprises, Inc., Gary, SD 57237. All rights reserved.