171 "My spirit is broken , my days are extinguished , The grave is ready for me. 2 " Surely e mockers are with me, And my eye gazes on their provocation . 3 "Lay down , now , a pledge for me with Yourself; Who is there that will be my guarantor e ? 4 "For You have kept their heart from understanding , Therefore e You will not exalt them. 5 "He who informs against friends for a share of the spoil, The eyes of his children also will languish . 6 "But He has made me a byword of the people , And I am one at whom men spit . 7 "My eye has also grown dim because of grief , And all my members are as a shadow . 8 "The upright will be appalled at this , And the innocent will stir up himself against the godless . 9 "Nevertheless the righteous will hold to his way , And he who has clean hands will grow stronger and stronger.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Job 17:1-9
Commentary on Job 17:1-9
(Read Job 17:1-9)
Job reflects upon the harsh censures his friends had passed upon him, and, looking on himself as a dying man, he appeals to God. Our time is ending. It concerns us carefully to redeem the days of time, and to spend them in getting ready for eternity. We see the good use the righteous should make of Job's afflictions from God, from enemies, and from friends. Instead of being discouraged in the service of God, by the hard usage this faithful servant of God met with, they should be made bold to proceed and persevere therein. Those who keep their eye upon heaven as their end, will keep their feet in the paths of religion as their way, whatever difficulties and discouragements they may meet with.