9 As a cloud vanishes and is gone, so one who goes down to the grave does not return.
9 As the cloud is consumed and vanisheth away: so he that goeth down to the grave shall come up no more.
9 As the cloud fades and vanishes, so he who goes down to Sheol does not come up;
9 When a cloud evaporates, it's gone for good; those who go to the grave never come back.
9 As the cloud disappears and vanishes away, So he who goes down to the grave does not come up.
9 Just as a cloud dissipates and vanishes, those who die will not come back.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Job 7:9
Commentary on Job 7:7-16
(Read Job 7:7-16)
Plain truths as to the shortness and vanity of man's life, and the certainty of death, do us good, when we think and speak of them with application to ourselves. Dying is done but once, and therefore it had need be well done. An error here is past retrieve. Other clouds arise, but the same cloud never returns: so a new generation of men is raised up, but the former generation vanishes away. Glorified saints shall return no more to the cares and sorrows of their houses; nor condemned sinners to the gaieties and pleasures of their houses. It concerns us to secure a better place when we die. From these reasons Job might have drawn a better conclusion than this, I will complain. When we have but a few breaths to draw, we should spend them in the holy, gracious breathings of faith and prayer; not in the noisome, noxious breathings of sin and corruption. We have much reason to pray, that He who keeps Israel, and neither slumbers nor sleeps, may keep us when we slumber and sleep. Job covets to rest in his grave. Doubtless, this was his infirmity; for though a good man would choose death rather than sin, yet he should be content to live as long as God pleases, because life is our opportunity of glorifying him, and preparing for heaven.