Bible Commentaries

Oh that my grief were throughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the ^a balances together!

(a To know whether I complain without just cause.

For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea: therefore my words are ^b swallowed up.

(b) My grief is so great that I lack words to express it.

For the arrows of the Almighty [are] within me, the poison whereof drinketh up my spirit: the terrors of God do ^c set themselves in array against me.

(c) Which declares that he was not only afflicted in body, but wounded in conscience, which is the greatest battle that the faithful can have.

Doth the ^d wild ass bray when he hath grass? or loweth the ox over his fodder?

(d) Do you think that I cry without cause, seeing the brute beasts do not complain when they have what they want.

Can that which is ^e unsavoury be eaten without salt? or is there [any] taste in the white of an egg?

(e) Can a man's taste delight in that, which has no savour? meaning that no one takes pleasure in affliction seeing they cannot do away with things that are unsavoury to the mouth.

Oh that I might have my ^f request; and that God would grant [me] the thing that I long for!

(f) In this he sins double, both in wishing through impatience to die, and also in desiring of God a thing which was not agreeable to his will.

Then should I yet have comfort; yea, I would harden myself in sorrow: let him not spare; ^g for I have not concealed the words of the Holy One.

(g) That is, let me die at once before I come to distrust God's promise through my impatience.

What [is] my strength, that I should hope? and what [is] mine ^h end, that I should prolong my life?

(h) He fears lest he should be brought to inconveniences, if his sorrows should continue.

[Is] not my ⁱ help in me? and is wisdom driven quite from me?

(i) Have I not sought to help myself as much as was possible?

My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a ^k brook, [and] as the stream of brooks they pass away;

(k) He compares friends who do not comfort us in our misery to a brook which in summer when we need water is dry, in winter is hard frozen and in the time of rain when we have no need overflows with water.

The troops of Tema ^l looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them.

(l) They who pass by it to go into the hot countries of Arabia, think to find water there to quench their thirst but they are deceived.

For now ye are ^m nothing; ye see [my] casting down, and are afraid.

(m) That is, like this brook which deceives them who think to have water there in their need, as I looked for consolation from you.

Did I say, Bring unto me? or, Give a reward for me of your ⁿ substance?

(n) He touches the worldlings who for need will give part of their goods, and much more these men, who would not give him comfortable words.

Teach me, and I will ^o hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.

(o) Show me where I have erred, and I will confess my sin.

How ^p forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove?

(p) He who has a good conscience does not shrink at the sharp words or reasonings of others, unless they are able to persuade him by reason.

Do ye imagine to reprove ^q words, and the speeches of one that is desperate, [which are] as wind?

(q) Do you object to my words because I would be thought to speak foolishly, and am now in misery?

Now therefore be content, ^r look upon me; for [it is] evident unto you if I lie.

(r) Consider whether I speak as one who is driven to this impatience through sorrow, or as a hypocrite as you condemn me.