Matthew Henry Commentary Job 29:7-17

"When I went forth to the gate unto the city, When I prepared my seat in the street, The young men saw me and hid themselves, And the aged rose up and stood; The princes refrained from talking, And laid their hand on their mouth; The voice of the nobles was hushed, And their tongue cleaved to the roof of their mouth. For when the ear heard [me], then it blessed me; And when the eye saw [me], it gave witness unto me: Because I delivered the poor that cried, The fatherless also, that had none to help him. The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me; And I caused the widow`s heart to sing for joy. I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: My justice was as a robe and a diadem. I was eyes to the blind, And feet was I to the lame. I was a father to the needy: And the cause of him that I knew not I searched out. And I brake the jaws of the unrighteous, And plucked the prey out of his teeth." — Job 29:7-17 (ASV)

All sorts of people paid respect to Job, not only for the dignity of his rank, but also for his personal merit: his prudence, integrity, and good management. Happy are the men who are blessed with such gifts as these! They have great opportunities to honor God and do good, but have a great need to watch against pride.

Happy are the people who are blessed with such men! It is a good sign for them. Here we see what Job valued himself for in the days of his prosperity. It was his usefulness. He valued himself for the restraint he placed on the violence of proud and evil men.

Good magistrates must, in this way, be a restraint to evildoers and protect the innocent. To do this, they should arm themselves with zeal and resolution. Such men are public blessings and resemble Him who rescues poor sinners from Satan. How many who were ready to perish now bless Him!

But who can adequately declare His praises? May we trust in His mercy and seek to imitate His truth, justice, and love.