3 If he delight to strive with Him—He doth not answer him one of a thousand. 4 Wise in heart and strong in power—Who hath hardened toward Him and is at peace? 5 Who is removing mountains, And they have not known, Who hath overturned them in His anger. 6 Who is shaking earth from its place, And its pillars move themselves. 7 Who is speaking to the sun, and it riseth not, And the stars He sealeth up. 8 Stretching out the heavens by Himself, And treading on the heights of the sea, 9 Making Osh, Kesil, and Kimah, And the inner chambers of the south. 10 Doing great things till there is no searching, And wonderful, till there is no numbering. 11 Lo, He goeth over by me, and I see not, And He passeth on, and I attend not to it. 12 Lo, He snatches away, who bringeth it back? Who saith unto Him, 'What dost Thou?' 13 God doth not turn back His anger, Under Him bowed have proud helpers.
14 How much less do I—I answer Him? Choose out my words with Him? 15 Whom, though I were righteous, I answer not, For my judgment I make supplication. 16 Though I had called and He answereth me, I do not believe that He giveth ear 'to' my voice. 17 Because with a tempest He bruiseth me, And hath multiplied my wounds for nought. 18 He permitteth me not to refresh my spirit, But filleth me with bitter things. 19 If of power, lo, the Strong One; And if of judgment—who doth convene me? 20 If I be righteous, Mine mouth doth declare me wicked, Perfect I am!—it declareth 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.