Job 9:19-29

19 If we were to speak of his strength, he is certainly strong; and if of his judgment, who shall cause us to meet?
20 If I justify myself, my own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, he shall prove me perverse.
21 If I say I am imperfect, I know not my soul; I would condemn my life.
22 One thing remains, that I say, He consumes the perfect and the wicked.
23 If it is the scourge, it slays suddenly, and it does not laugh at the trial of the innocent.
24 The earth is given into the hand of the wicked; he covers the faces of its judges; if it is not he who does this then, who is it and where is he?
25 Now my days are swifter than a post; they fled away, they never saw good.
26 They are passed away as the ships of Ebeh {Heb. reed} as the eagle that throws himself on 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 troubles; I know that thou wilt not hold me guiltless.
29 If I am wicked, why then shall I toil 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.

The Jubilee Bible (from the Scriptures of the Reformation), edited by Russell M. Stendal, Copyright © 2000, 2001, 2010