Job 36:24

24 Have thou mind (Remember), that thou knowest not his work, of whom men have sung.

Job 36:24 Meaning and Commentary

Job 36:24

Remember that thou magnify his work
Or his works; his works of creation and providence, which are great in themselves, and declare the greatness of God; and which, though they cannot be made greater than they are, men may be said to magnify them when they ascribe them to God, and magnify him on account of them; when they think and speak well of them, and give glory to God: and particularly by his work may be meant the chastisement of his people, which is a rod in his hand, which he appoints, and with which he smites; it is his own doing, and he may do what he pleases this way; and it becomes his people to be still and patient because he does it; and then do they magnify this work of his, when they bear it patiently, quietly submit to it, and humble themselves under the mighty hand of God;

which men behold:
for the works of God are visible, particularly the works of creation, and the glory of God in them; which men of wisdom and understanding behold with admiration and praise; and so the Targum is,

``which righteous men praise;''

and some derive the word here used from a root which signifies to "sing", and so may be understood of men's celebrating the works of God in songs of praise; though his work here may chiefly design the afflictions he lays on his people, and particularly which he had laid upon Job, which were so visible, and the hand of God in them was so clearly to be seen, that men easily beheld it and took notice of it.

Job 36:24 In-Context

22 Lo! God is high in his strength, and none is like him among the givers of law. (Lo! God's strength towers over all, and there is no one like him among the law givers, or the rulers.)
23 Who may seek out the ways of God? either who dare say to him, Thou hast wrought wickedness?
24 Have thou mind (Remember), that thou knowest not his work, of whom men have sung.
25 All men see God; each man beholdeth afar. (All see God, or what he hath done; but all behold him from afar.)
26 Lo! God is great, over-coming our knowing (Lo! God is so great, and we shall truly never know how great he is); the number of his years is without number.
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.