Albert Barnes Commentary Job 3:20

"Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery, And life unto the bitter in soul;" — Job 3:20 (ASV)

Why is light given to him that is in misery? (Job 3:20) — The word “light” here undoubtedly denotes “life.” This verse begins a new part of Job’s complaint.

The complaint is that God keeps people alive who would prefer to die. He provides them with the means of sustaining life and actually preserves them, even when they would consider it an inestimable blessing to die.

Schultens remarks, on this part of the chapter, that the tone of Job’s complaint is considerably modified. Job has vented his strong feelings, and the language here is milder and gentler.

Still, it implies a reflection on God. It is not the language of humble submission. It contains an implied charge of cruelty and injustice, and it laid the foundation for some of the just reproofs that follow.

And life unto the bitter in soul (Job 3:20) — that is, to those who are suffering bitter grief. We still use the word “bitter” to denote great grief and pain.