3 If he shall choose to strive with him, he cannot answer him one thing of a thousand. 4 He is wise in heart and mighty in strength: who hath hardened himself against him, and had peace? 5 Who removeth mountains, and they know it not, when he overturneth them in his anger; 6 Who shaketh the earth out of its place, and the pillars thereof tremble; 7 Who commandeth the sun, and it riseth not, and he sealeth up the stars; 8 Who alone spreadeth out the heavens, and treadeth upon the high waves of the sea; 9 Who maketh the Bear, Orion, and the Pleiades, and the chambers of the south; 10 Who doeth great things past finding out, and wonders without number. 11 Lo, he goeth by me, and I see [him] not; and he passeth along, and I perceive him not. 12 Behold, he taketh away: who will hinder him? Who will say unto him, What doest thou? 13 +God withdraweth not his anger; the proud helpers stoop under him:
14 How much less shall I answer him, choose out my words [to strive] with him? 15 Whom, though I were righteous, [yet] would I not answer; I would make supplication to my judge. 16 If I had called, and he had answered me, I would not believe that he hearkened to my voice,— 17 He, who crusheth me with a tempest, and multiplieth my wounds without cause. 18 He suffereth me not to take my breath, for he filleth me with bitternesses. 19 Be it a question of strength, lo, [he is] strong; and be it of judgment, who will set me a time? 20 If I justified myself, mine own mouth would condemn me; were I perfect, he would prove me perverse.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Job 9:3-20
Commentary on Job 9:1-13
(Read Job 9:1-13)
In this answer Job declared that he did not doubt the justice of God, when he denied himself to be a hypocrite; for how should man be just with God? Before him he pleaded guilty of sins more than could be counted; and if God should contend with him in judgment, he could not justify one out of a thousand, of all the thoughts, words, and actions of his life; therefore he deserved worse than all his present sufferings. When Job mentions the wisdom and power of God, he forgets his complaints. We are unfit to judge of God's proceedings, because we know not what he does, or what he designs. God acts with power which no creature can resist. Those who think they have strength enough to help others, will not be able to help themselves against it.
Commentary on Job 9:14-21
(Read Job 9:14-21)
Job is still righteous in his own eyes, 1, and this answer, though it sets forth the power and majesty of God, implies that the question between the afflicted and the Lord of providence, is a question of might, and not of right; and we begin to discover the evil fruits of pride and of a self-righteous spirit. Job begins to manifest a disposition to condemn God, that he may justify himself, for which he is afterwards reproved. Still Job knew so much of himself, that he durst not stand a trial. If we say, We have no sin, we not only deceive ourselves, but we affront God; for we sin in saying so, and give the lie to the Scripture. But Job reflected on God's goodness and justice in saying his affliction was without cause.