20 They die in an instant, in the middle of the night; the people are shaken and they pass away; the mighty are removed without human hand.
20 In a moment they die; at midnight the people are shaken and pass away, and the mighty are taken away by no human hand.
20 Don't people who deserve it die without notice? Don't wicked rulers tumble to their doom? When the so-called great ones are wiped out, we know God is working behind the scenes.
20 In a moment they die, in the middle of the night; The people are shaken and pass away; The mighty are taken away without a hand.
20 In a moment they die. In the middle of the night they pass away; the mighty are removed without human hand.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Job 34:20
Commentary on Job 34:16-30
(Read Job 34:16-30)
Elihu appeals directly to Job himself. Could he suppose that God was like those earthly princes, who hate right, who are unfit to rule, and prove the scourges of mankind? It is daring presumption to condemn God's proceedings, as Job had done by his discontents. Elihu suggests divers considerations to Job, to produce in him high thoughts of God, and so to persuade him to submit. Job had often wished to plead his cause before God. Elihu asks, To what purpose? All is well that God does, and will be found so. What can make those uneasy, whose souls dwell at ease in God? The smiles of all the world cannot quiet those on whom God frowns.