Matthew Henry Commentary Job 7:17-21

"What is man, that thou shouldest magnify him, And that thou shouldest set thy mind upon him, And that thou shouldest visit him every morning, And try him every moment? How long wilt thou not look away from me, Nor let me alone till I swallow down my spittle? If I have sinned, what do I unto thee, O thou watcher of men? Why hast thou set me as a mark for thee, So that I am a burden to myself? And why dost thou not pardon my transgression, and take away mine iniquity? For now shall I lie down in the dust; And thou wilt seek me diligently, but I shall not be." — Job 7:17-21 (ASV)

Job reasons with God concerning his dealings with man. But in the midst of this discourse, Job seems to have lifted up his thoughts to God with some faith and hope. Observe the concern he has about his sins. The best men have to complain of sin; and the better they are, the more they will complain of it.

God is the Preserver of our lives, and the Savior of the souls of all who believe; but Job probably meant the Observer of men, whose eyes are on the ways and hearts of all people. We can hide nothing from Him; let us plead guilty before his throne of grace, so that we may not be condemned at his judgment seat. Job maintained, against his friends, that he was not a hypocrite, not a wicked man, yet he confesses to his God that he had sinned.

The best must acknowledge this before the Lord. He seriously inquires how he might be at peace with God and earnestly begs forgiveness for his sins. He means more than the removal of his outward trouble and is earnest for the return of God's favor. Wherever the Lord removes the guilt of sin, he breaks the power of sin.

To strengthen his prayer for pardon, Job pleads the prospect he had of dying quickly. If my sins are not pardoned while I live, I am lost and undone forever. How wretched is sinful man without a knowledge of the Savior!