9 "People cry out under a load of oppression; they plead for relief from the arm of the powerful. 10 But no one says, 'Where is God my Maker, who gives songs in the night, 11 who teaches us more than he teaches[1] the beasts of the earth and makes us wiser than[2] the birds in the sky?' 12 He does not answer when people cry out because of the arrogance of the wicked. 13 Indeed, God does not listen to their empty plea; the Almighty pays no attention to it.
9 By reason of the multitude of oppressions they make the oppressed to cry: they cry out by reason of the arm of the mighty. 10 But none saith, Where is God my maker, who giveth songs in the night; 11 Who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, and maketh us wiser than the fowls of heaven? 12 There they cry, but none giveth answer, because of the pride of evil men. 13 Surely God will not hear vanity, neither will the Almighty regard it.
9 "Because of the multitude of oppressions people cry out; they call for help because of the arm of the mighty.
9 "When times get bad, people cry out for help. They cry for relief from being kicked around, 10 But never give God a thought when things go well, when God puts spontaneous songs in their hearts, 11 When God sets out the entire creation as a science classroom, using birds and beasts to teach wisdom. 12 People are arrogantly indifferent to God - until, of course, they're in trouble, and then God is indifferent to them. 13 There's nothing behind such prayers except panic; the Almighty pays them no mind.
9 "Because of the multitude of oppressions they cry out; They cry out for help because of the arm of the mighty. 10 But no one says, 'Where is God my Maker, Who gives songs in the night, 11 Who teaches us more than the beasts of the earth, And makes us wiser than the birds of heaven?' 12 There they cry out, but He does not answer, Because of the pride of evil men. 13 Surely God will not listen to empty talk, Nor will the Almighty regard it.
9 "People cry out when they are oppressed. They groan beneath the power of the mighty. 10 Yet they don't ask, 'Where is God my Creator, the one who gives songs in the night? 11 Where is the one who makes us smarter than the animals and wiser than the birds of the sky?' 12 And when they cry out, God does not answer because of their pride. 13 But it is wrong to say God doesn't listen, to say the Almighty isn't concerned.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Job 35:9-13
Commentary on Job 35:9-13
(Read Job 35:9-13)
Job complained that God did not regard the cries of the oppressed against their oppressors. This he knew not how to reconcile the justice of God and his government. Elihu solves the difficulty. Men do not notice the mercies they enjoy in and under their afflictions, nor are thankful for them, therefore they cannot expect that God should deliver them out of affliction. He gives songs in the night; when our condition is dark and melancholy, there is that in God's providence and promise, which is sufficient to support us, and to enable us even to rejoice in tribulation. When we only pore upon our afflictions, and neglect the consolations of God which are treasured up for us, it is just in God to reject our prayers. Even the things that will kill the body, cannot hurt the soul. If we cry to God for the removal of an affliction, and it is not removed, the reason is, not because the Lord's hand is shortened, or his ear heavy; but because we are not sufficiently humbled.