Job 3:20-26

20 Why giveth He to the miserable light, and life to the bitter soul?

21 Who are waiting for death, and it is not, And they seek it above hid treasures.

22 Who are glad -- unto joy, They rejoice when they find a grave.

23 To a man whose way hath been hidden, And whom God doth shut up?

24 For before my food, my sighing cometh, And poured out as waters [are] my roarings.

25 For a fear I feared and it meeteth me, And what I was afraid of doth come to me.

26 I was not safe -- nor was I quiet -- Nor was I at rest -- and trouble cometh!

Job 3:20-26 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 3

In this chapter we have an account of Job's cursing the day of his birth, and the night of his conception; Job 3:1-3; first the day, to which he wishes the most extreme darkness, Job 3:4,5; then the night, to which he wishes the same and that it might be destitute of all joy, and be cursed by others as well as by himself, Job 3:6-9; The reasons follow, because it did not prevent his coming into the world, and because he died not on it, Job 3:10-12; which would, as he judged, have been an happiness to him; and this he illustrates by the still and quiet state of the dead, the company they are with, and their freedom from all trouble, oppression, and bondage, Job 3:13-19; but however, since it was otherwise with him, he desires his life might not be prolonged, and expostulates about the continuance of it, Job 3:20-23; and this by reason of his present troubles, which were many and great, and came upon him as he feared they would, and which had made him uneasy in his prosperity, Job 3:24-26.