7 When I went out to the gate by the city, when I prepared my seat on the broadway, 8 The young men saw me, and hid themselves; and the aged arose [and] stood up; 9 Princes refrained from talking, and laid the hand on their mouth; 10 The voice of the nobles was hushed, and their tongue cleaved to their palate. 11 When the ear heard [me], then it blessed me, and when the eye saw [me], it gave witness to me; 12 For I delivered the afflicted that cried, and the fatherless who had no helper. 13 The blessing of him that was perishing came upon me, and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy. 14 I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; my justice was as a mantle and a turban. 15 I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame; 16 I was a father to the needy, and the cause which I knew not I searched out; 17 And I broke the jaws of the unrighteous, and plucked the spoil out of his teeth.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Job 29:7-17
Commentary on Job 29:7-17
(Read Job 29:7-17)
All sorts of people paid respect to Job, not only for the dignity of his rank, but for his personal merit, his prudence, integrity, and good management. Happy the men who are blessed with such gifts as these! They have great opportunities of honouring God and doing good, but have great need to watch against pride. Happy the people who are blessed with such men! it is a token for good to them. Here we see what Job valued himself by, in the day of his prosperity. It was by his usefulness. He valued himself by the check he gave to the violence of proud and evil men. Good magistrates must thus be a restraint to evil-doers, and protect the innocent; in order to this, they should arm themselves with zeal and resolution. Such men are public blessings, and resemble Him who rescues poor sinners from Satan. How many who were ready to perish, now are blessing Him! But who can show forth His praises? May we trust in His mercy, and seek to imitate His truth, justice, and love.