Albert Barnes Commentary Job 29:20

"My glory is fresh in me, And my bow is renewed in my hand." — Job 29:20 (ASV)

My glory was fresh in me — The margin note says, “new.” As Umbreit remarks, “As we say, the man shall not overlive himself.” The idea is that he was not exhausted; he continued in vigor and strength. The image is likely taken from the one suggested in the previous verse—from a tree, whose beauty and vigor were continued by the waters and by the dew that lay on its branches.

And my bow — An emblem of vigor and strength. The ancients fought with the bow, and therefore, a man who was able to keep his bow constantly drawn was an image of undiminished and unwearied vigor; compare Genesis 49:24: But his bow abode in strength.

Was renewed in my hand — The margin note, as in Hebrew, says “changed.” The meaning is that it constantly renewed its strength. The idea is taken from a tree, which “changes” by renewing its leaves, beauty, and vigor; Isaiah 9:10; compare Job 14:7. The sense is that his bow gathered strength in his hand. This figure is very common in Arabic poetry, many examples of which may be seen in Schultens in loc.