20 My bone cleaveth to my skin and to my flesh, and I am escaped with the skin of my teeth.
20 My bones stick to my skin and to my flesh, and I have escaped by the skin of my teeth.
20 I'm nothing but a bag of bones; my life hangs by a thread.
20 My bone clings to my skin and to my flesh, And I have escaped by the skin of my teeth.
20 I have been reduced to skin and bones and have escaped death by the skin of my teeth.
5 In my distress I groan aloud and am reduced to skin and bones.
5 By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin.
5 Because of my loud groaning my bones cling to my flesh.
5 My jaws ache from gritting my teeth; I'm nothing but skin and bones.
5 Because of the sound of my groaning My bones cling to my skin.
5 Because of my groaning, I am reduced to skin and bones.
(Read Psalm 102:1-11)
The whole word of God is of use to direct us in prayer; but here, is often elsewhere, the Holy Ghost has put words into our mouths. Here is a prayer put into the hands of the afflicted; let them present it to God. Even good men may be almost overwhelmed with afflictions. It is our duty and interest to pray; and it is comfort to an afflicted spirit to unburden itself, by a humble representation of its griefs. We must say, Blessed be the name of the Lord, who both gives and takes away. The psalmist looked upon himself as a dying man; My days are like a shadow.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Job 19:20
Commentary on Job 19:8-22
(Read Job 19:8-22)
How doleful are Job's complaints! What is the fire of hell but the wrath of God! Seared consciences will feel it hereafter, but do not fear it now: enlightened consciences fear it now, but shall not feel it hereafter. It is a very common mistake to think that those whom God afflicts he treats as his enemies. Every creature is that to us which God makes it to be; yet this does not excuse Job's relations and friends. How uncertain is the friendship of men! but if God be our Friend, he will not fail us in time of need. What little reason we have to indulge the body, which, after all our care, is consumed by diseases it has in itself. Job recommends himself to the compassion of his friends, and justly blames their harshness. It is very distressing to one who loves God, to be bereaved at once of outward comfort and of inward consolation; yet if this, and more, come upon a believer, it does not weaken the proof of his being a child of God and heir of glory.