171 My spirit hath been destroyed, My days extinguished—graves 'are' for me. 2 If not—mockeries 'are' with me. And in their provocations mine eye lodgeth. 3 Place, I pray Thee, my pledge with Thee; Who is he that striketh hand with me? 4 For their heart Thou hast hidden From understanding, Therefore Thou dost not exalt them. 5 For a portion he sheweth friendship, And the eyes of his sons are consumed. 6 And he set me up for a proverb of the peoples, And a wonder before them I am. 7 And dim from sorrow is mine eye, And my members as a shadow all of them. 8 Astonished are the upright at this, And the innocent against the profane Stirreth himself up. 9 And the righteous layeth hold 'on' his way, And the clean of hands addeth strength, And—dumb are they all.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Job 17:1-9
Commentary on Job 17:1-9
(Read Job 17:1-9)
Job reflects upon the harsh censures his friends had passed upon him, and, looking on himself as a dying man, he appeals to God. Our time is ending. It concerns us carefully to redeem the days of time, and to spend them in getting ready for eternity. We see the good use the righteous should make of Job's afflictions from God, from enemies, and from friends. Instead of being discouraged in the service of God, by the hard usage this faithful servant of God met with, they should be made bold to proceed and persevere therein. Those who keep their eye upon heaven as their end, will keep their feet in the paths of religion as their way, whatever difficulties and discouragements they may meet with.