3 "If one wished to dispute with Him, He could not answer Him once in a thousand times. 4 " Wise in heart and mighty in strength , Who has defied e Him without harm ? 5 " It is God who removes the mountains , they know not how, When He overturns them in His anger ; 6 Who shakes the earth out of its place , And its pillars tremble ; 7 Who commands the sun not to shine , And sets a seal upon the stars ; 8 Who alone stretches out the heavens And tramples down the waves of the sea ; 9 Who makes the Bear , Orion and the Pleiades , And the chambers of the south ; 10 Who does great things , unfathomable e e , And wondrous works without e number . 11 "Were He to pass by me, I would not see Him; Were He to move past me, I would not perceive Him. 12 "Were He to snatch away , who could restrain Him? Who could say to Him, ' What are You doing ?' 13 "God will not turn back His anger ; Beneath Him crouch the helpers of Rahab .
14 "How then e can I answer Him, And choose my words before Him? 15 "For though I were right , I could not answer ; I would have to implore the mercy of my judge . 16 "If I called and He answered me, I could not believe that He was listening to my voice . 17 "For He bruises me with a tempest And multiplies my wounds without cause . 18 "He will not allow me to get my breath , But saturates me with bitterness . 19 "If it is a matter of power , behold , He is the strong one ! And if it is a matter of justice , who can summon Him? 20 " Though I am righteous , my mouth will condemn me; Though I am guiltless , He will declare me guilty .
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.