21 If I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, when I saw my help in the gate:
21 if I have raised my hand against the fatherless, knowing that I had influence in court,
21 if I have raised my hand against the fatherless, because I saw my help in the gate,
21 "If I've ever used my strength and influence to take advantage of the unfortunate,
21 If I have raised my hand against the fatherless, When I saw I had help in the gate;
21 "If I raised my hand against an orphan, knowing the judges would take my side,
351 Plead my cause, O Lord, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me.
351 Contend, Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me.
351 Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me!
351 Harass these hecklers, God, punch these bullies in the nose.
351 A Psalm of David. Plead my cause, O Lord, with those who strive with me; Fight against those who fight against me.
351 O Lord, oppose those who oppose me. Fight those who fight against me.
(Read Psalm 35:1-10)
It is no new thing for the most righteous men, and the most righteous cause, to meet with enemies. This is a fruit of the old enmity in the seed of the serpent against the Seed of the woman. David in his afflictions, Christ in his sufferings, the church under persecution, and the Christian in the hour temptation, all beseech the Almighty to appear in their behalf, and to vindicate their cause. We are apt to justify uneasiness at the injuries men do us, by our never having given them cause to use us so ill; but this should make us easy, for then we may the more expect that God will plead our cause. David prayed to God to manifest himself in his trial. Let me have inward comfort under all outward troubles, to support my soul. If God, by his Spirit, witness to our spirits that he is our salvation, we need desire no more to make us happy. If God is our Friend, no matter who is our enemy. By the Spirit of prophecy, David foretells the just judgments of God that would come upon his enemies for their great wickedness. These are predictions, they look forward, and show the doom of the enemies of Christ and his kingdom. We must not desire or pray for the ruin of any enemies, except our lusts and the evil spirits that would compass our destruction. A traveller benighted in a bad road, is an expressive emblem of a sinner walking in the slippery and dangerous ways of temptation. But David having committed his cause to God, did not doubt of his own deliverance. The bones are the strongest parts of the body. The psalmist here proposes to serve and glorify God with all his strength. If such language may be applied to outward salvation, how much more will it apply to heavenly things in Christ Jesus!
5 A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.
5 A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.
5 Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation.
5 Father of orphans, champion of widows, is God in his holy house.
5 A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, Is God in His holy habitation.
5 Father to the fatherless, defender of widows- this is God, whose dwelling is holy.
(Read Psalm 68:1-6)
None ever hardened his heart against God, and prospered. God is the joy of his people, then let them rejoice when they come before him. He who derives his being from none, but gives being to all, is engaged by promise and covenant to bless his people. He is to be praised as a God of mercy and tender compassion. He ever careth for the afflicted and oppressed: repenting sinners, who are helpless and exposed more than any fatherless children, are admitted into his family, and share all their blessings.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Job 31:21
Commentary on Job 31:16-23
(Read Job 31:16-23)
Job's conscience gave testimony concerning his just and charitable behaviour toward the poor. He is most large upon this head, because in this matter he was particularly accused. He was tender of all, and hurtful to none. Notice the principles by which Job was restrained from being uncharitable and unmerciful. He stood in awe of the Lord, as certainly against him, if he should wrong the poor. Regard to worldly interests may restrain a man from actual crimes; but the grace of God alone can make him hate, dread, and shun sinful thoughts and desires.