16. Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds, &c.] The clouds remain suspended, so long as their pressure is exactly balanced by the counter pressure of the air, which is underneath them. When the equipoise is destroyed, they often precipitate in rain. But the law of the equilibrium, and the causes which destroy the balance, are so mysterious in their operation, that our knowledge of these matters is extremely superficial. Scott. 17. But thou hast fulfilled the judgment of the wicked:] Thou hast fully pleaded the cause of the wicked, and justified their hard and reproachful speeches, uttered in rage against God, condemning Him, and justifying themselves. The just indignation of God hath already seized upon thee. Clark. 17. How thy garments are warm, &c.] How comes it to pass, that the air is so hot, as that thou canst not bear thy clothes, when in a calm season, the south sun shines upon thee, and the warm southern winds blow in thy face? Bp. Hall. He describes an Arabian noonday in the height of summer, when the sun is in his full strength, and not a breath of wind stirring to cool the sultry air. The word "wind" is not in the original. "The south" means the south quarter of the heavens, when the sun is in the meridian. Before CHRIST about 1320. God's wisdom is unsearchable. in his works. Before CHRIST about 1530. the sky, which is strong, and as a molten looking glass? 19. — not gold, nor all the forces of strength.] These words would be more intelligible, if they were rendered, as they might be, "not gold, nor all the powers of wealth." Dr. Durell. 19. Teach us what we shall say &c.] These concluding verses are the peroration; wherein he represents to Job the rashness and danger of disputing with God; sets forth the incomprehensibility of the schemes of Providence; insists that they are planned and executed with most perfect equity and justice; and exhorts him and all mankind, to annihilate themselves before their Maker, in profound reverence of His adorable majesty. Scott. 20. Desire not the night,] Do not thou wish for the night, as thinking that that silent and quiet time might give thee ease from thy thoughts, while thou hast to do with a God, who can in an instant cut off whole nations, much more thee, who art but a weak and frail man. Bp. Hall. 20. — if a man speak, surely he shall be swallowed up.] If a man will be opposing Him in his speech, and questioning His justice, surely he shall be confounded. Bp. Hall. 21. Take heed, regard not iniquity: &c.] Thou hast rather chosen to tax the proceedings of God in thy weak impatience, than meekly to suffer His infliction. Bp. Hall. 21. And now men see not the bright light &c.] Rather, And now men see not the light, which is bright above (or within) the clouds, till the wind passeth and cleanseth them. Dr. Durell. 21, 22. — men see not] Or, men cannot look at the bright light which is in the sky, when the wind hath passed and cleansed it. That is, when the sky is in such a clear and dazzling state as he had described, ver. 18. He beautifully applies that resplendent image to the purpose of shewing the insufferable splendour of the Divine majesty. Scott. If men be not able with their weak eyes to behold the brightness of the sun, which shineth in the light clouds when the wind passes through and disperses them, and when the air is cleared by the north winds; how shall they be able to stand before God, and to hold contention with Him, whose majesty is terrible beyond the powers of our apprehension? Bp. Hall. 22, 23. Behold, God exalteth by his power: &c.] Elihu, by this commendation of the power and wisdom of God, seems to comfort Job in the hope of better things if he would hearken to his counsel: for as God had greatly afflicted and broken him, so He was as mighty to heal those breaches and deliver him: He only waited to see Him in a better frame of mind, that he might be gracious; see Isa. xxx. 18. Caryl. 22. — said God is terrible majesty.] Rather, Above is God of tremendous majesty. Dr. Durell. 23. Who hath enjoined him his way?] This passage ought to be rendered, "Who can charge Him with His way, or, animadvert upon Him for His way?" Dr. Durell. 23. Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out:] This great and worthy sentiment is the sum of his whole speech in justification of God. The incomprehensibility and infinite perfection of God silence all objections to His government. This is a sufficient answer even to the north: with God is terrible majesty. 24. Remember that thou magnify his work, which men behold.] The Creator doubtless did not bestow so much curiosity, and exquisite workmanship and skill upon His creatures, to be looked upon with a careless incurious eye; especially to have them slighted or condemned: but to be admired by the rational part of the world, to magnify His own power, wisdom, and goodness, throughout all the world, and the ages thereof. The more we search and discover of His works, the greater and more glorious we find them to be; the more worthy of, and the more expressly to proclaim, their great Creator. To make such researches then is to answer the ends, for which God hath bestowed so much art, power, and wisdom about His works, as well as given us senses to view and survey them: and an understanding and curiosity to search into them: it is to follow and trace Him, where and whither He leads us, that we may see and admire His handy work ourselves, and set it forth to others, that they may see, admire, and praise it also. Such is the recommendation of Elihu: "Remember that thou magnify His work, which men behold. Every man may see it; man may behold it afar off." Dr. Derham. This verse ought to have begun a new chapter: for it begins a new head of discourse, which is continued to the end of the ensuing chapter. The subject is the incomprehensible wisdom and power of God, in forming the meteors of rain, thunder, &c. and using them to God's works are to be magnified. God is to be feared, Before CHRIST about 1520. roots. that which goeth up. 24. Men do therefore fear him: &c.] The best wisdom of man is but foolishness to Him: He makes no reckoning therefore of that vain wisdom, with the conceit of which men are wont to please themselves. Bp. Hall. These words of Elihu engage us most seriously to reflect upon the wonders of nature, and particularly upon the thunder, snow, rain, clouds, the winds, and the various seasons of the year. In all these things we discover, first, the infinite power of God; and next, His wisdom, justice, and goodness: since God makes use of all these things, and of their different effects, as means to promote the good and happiness of mankind; and sometimes He makes them serve as instruments of correction. We are here therefore called upon to consider attentively the wonderful manner in which the world is governed: and to make use of the mercies which God vouchsafes us, and of His chastening dispensations, which are all designed to teach us to know and fear Him. Here ends the dispute between Job and his friends. Ostervald. "Let men therefore fear Him who beholdeth all the wise in heart as nothing." This great instruction is the point of aim throughout Elihu's speech: this is the sublime moral of the whole poem. To establish this primary duty of all religion by His own authority, the Deity Himself at last appears; the design of whose speech to Job is to reduce him to this reverent submission, and by his example to enforce it upon all others. Scott. Chap. XXXVIII—XLII. Jehovah Himself is introduced with an answer to Job, which shall bring his mind to a better temper, and fit him for his restoration. The manner in which this latter part of the poem is conducted, has been well delineated by Scott. "The design of this appearance of the Almighty is not to vindicate the injured character of Job. That is done by a second appearance, which was afterwards made to Eliphas singly, chap. xlii. 7, 9; and which comes not within the limits of the poem. Before CHRIST about 1530. 27. For he maketh small the drops of water: they pour down rain, according to the vapour thereof:.] This passage may be rendered, "For He maketh small the drops of water, which poureth down rain through His vapour." Dr. Durell. 29—31. Also can any understand the spreadings of the clouds, &c.] "The spreadings of the clouds;" that is, the covering of the sky with clouds, the prelude to a thunder storm. By "His tabernacle" are meant, the clouds; see Psal. xviii. 11. Scott. It is wonderful to observe with what a variety of natural and sublime expressions the thunder is described to us in this book, and all of them with reference to the Deity; as "the noise of His tabernacle;" the "murmurs of His mouth;" that "by which He judgeth His people;" and the like. Peters. 30. Behold, he spreadeth his light upon it.] Behold, when the heaven is overcast with clouds, He sendeth forth His bright beams, and enlighteneth and cheereth the face thereof; and again He sendeth such gloomy and dark clouds, that the blackness and obscurity thereof shade even to the bottom of the sea. Bp. Hall. Or, "Behold, He spreads upon it," that is, the cloud, "His light," or lightning; "and overspreads," namely, with the lustre of it, "the bottom of the sea." Parkhurst.