Albert Barnes Commentary Job 27:9

"Will God hear his cry, When trouble cometh upon him?" — Job 27:9 (ASV)

Will God hear his cry when trouble cometh upon him? – Coverdale has rendered this (Job 27:8–9) in a way that makes excellent sense, though not strictly in accordance with the original Hebrew: “What hope hath the hypocrite though he have great good, and though God give him riches after his heart’s desire? Doth God hear him the sooner, when he crieth unto him in his necessity?” The object of the verse is to show the miserable condition of a wicked man or a hypocrite. This is shown by the fact which Job asserts: that God will not hear his cry when he feels his need of aid and is induced to call upon him.

This is true only when his object in calling upon God is merely for help. If he has no remorse for his sin and no real confidence in God; if he calls upon him in trouble, intending to return to his sins as soon as the trouble is over, or if such is the state of his mind that God sees that he would return to his sins as soon as his calamities cease, then God cannot be expected to hear him. But if he comes with a penitent heart and with a sincere purpose to forsake his sins and devote himself to God, there is no reason to doubt that God would hear him. The argument of Job is essentially sound.

The point is that if a man wishes for the favor of God and the assurance that God will hear his prayer, he must lead a holy life. A hypocrite cannot expect God’s favor. Compare with the notes on Isaiah 1:15.