8 He has blocked my way so I cannot pass; he has shrouded my paths in darkness.
8 He hath fenced up my way that I cannot pass, and he hath set darkness in my paths.
8 He has walled up my way, so that I cannot pass, and he has set darkness upon my paths.
8 God threw a barricade across my path - I'm stymied; he turned out all the lights - I'm stuck in the dark.
8 He has fenced up my way, so that I cannot pass; And He has set darkness in my paths.
8 God has blocked my way so I cannot move. He has plunged my path into darkness.
7 He has walled me in so I cannot escape; he has weighed me down with chains.
7 He hath hedged me about, that I cannot get out: he hath made my chain heavy.
7 He has walled me about so that I cannot escape; he has made my chains heavy;
7 He shuts me in so I'll never get out, manacles my hands, shackles my feet.
7 He has hedged me in so that I cannot get out; He has made my chain heavy.
7 He has walled me in, and I cannot escape. He has bound me in heavy chains.
(Read Lamentations 3:1-20)
The prophet relates the more gloomy and discouraging part of his experience, and how he found support and relief. In the time of his trial the Lord had become terrible to him. It was an affliction that was misery itself; for sin makes the cup of affliction a bitter cup. The struggle between unbelief and faith is often very severe. But the weakest believer is wrong, if he thinks that his strength and hope are perished from the Lord.
9 He has barred my way with blocks of stone; he has made my paths crooked.
9 He hath inclosed my ways with hewn stone, he hath made my paths crooked.
9 he has blocked my ways with blocks of stones; he has made my paths crooked.
9 He sets up blockades with quarried limestone. He's got me cornered.
9 He has blocked my ways with hewn stone; He has made my paths crooked.
9 He has blocked my way with a high stone wall; he has made my road crooked.
(Read Lamentations 3:1-20)
The prophet relates the more gloomy and discouraging part of his experience, and how he found support and relief. In the time of his trial the Lord had become terrible to him. It was an affliction that was misery itself; for sin makes the cup of affliction a bitter cup. The struggle between unbelief and faith is often very severe. But the weakest believer is wrong, if he thinks that his strength and hope are perished from the Lord.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Job 19:8
Commentary on Job 19:8-22
(Read Job 19:8-22)
How doleful are Job's complaints! What is the fire of hell but the wrath of God! Seared consciences will feel it hereafter, but do not fear it now: enlightened consciences fear it now, but shall not feel it hereafter. It is a very common mistake to think that those whom God afflicts he treats as his enemies. Every creature is that to us which God makes it to be; yet this does not excuse Job's relations and friends. How uncertain is the friendship of men! but if God be our Friend, he will not fail us in time of need. What little reason we have to indulge the body, which, after all our care, is consumed by diseases it has in itself. Job recommends himself to the compassion of his friends, and justly blames their harshness. It is very distressing to one who loves God, to be bereaved at once of outward comfort and of inward consolation; yet if this, and more, come upon a believer, it does not weaken the proof of his being a child of God and heir of glory.