3 If he be pleased to contend with him, He cannot answer him one of a thousand. 4 [He is] wise in heart, and mighty in strength: Who hath hardened himself against him, and prospered?— 5 [Him] that removeth the mountains, and they know it not, When he overturneth them in his anger; 6 That shaketh the earth out of its place, And the pillars thereof tremble; 7 That commandeth the sun, and it riseth not, And sealeth up the stars; 8 That alone stretcheth out the heavens, And treadeth upon the waves of the sea; 9 That maketh the Bear, Orion, and the Pleiades, And the chambers of the south; 10 That doeth great things past finding out, Yea, marvellous things without number. 11 Lo, he goeth by me, and I see him not: He passeth on also, but I perceive him not. 12 Behold, he seizeth [the prey], who can hinder him? Who will say unto him, What doest thou? 13 God will not withdraw his anger; The helpers of Rahab do stoop under him.
14 How much less shall I answer him, And choose out my words [to reason] with him? 15 Whom, though I were righteous, yet would I not answer; I would make supplication to my judge. 16 If I had called, and he had answered me, Yet would I not believe that he hearkened unto my voice. 17 For he breaketh me with a tempest, And multiplieth my wounds without cause. 18 He will not suffer me to take my breath, But filleth me with bitterness. 19 If [we speak] of strength, lo, [he is] mighty! And if of justice, Who, [saith he], will summon me? 20 Though I be righteous, mine own mouth shall condemn me: Though I be perfect, it shall prove 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.