XXXVII. (1) AT THIS ALSO MY HEART TREMBLETH. — Elihu is discoursing of the same matter. He says, “Not only are the cattle terrified, but at this also _my_ heart trembleth and is moved out of its place. Hark! listen to the sound of His voice.”... [ Continue Reading ]
HE DIRECTETH IT. — Or, _sendeth it forth: i.e.,_ the noise and rumbling which fills all heaven.... [ Continue Reading ]
AFTER IT A VOICE ROARETH — _i.e.,_ the thunderclap which follows the lightning-flash. AND HE STAYETH THEM NOT (or will not stay them) WHEN HIS VOICE IS HEARD. — What does this mean? We understand it, “Yet none can track them (_i.e._, the thunder and the lightning) when His voice is heard. They trav... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR HE SAITH TO THE SNOW. — All the operations of nature obey the behest of God — the snow, the gentle showers, the drenching downpour. By means of these He sealeth up the hand of every man, obstructing and impeding their works and movements, so that all the men whom He has made may know it or know... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN THE BEASTS GO INTO DENS. — And not man only, but the beasts likewise, have to take refuge in their dens and coverts.... [ Continue Reading ]
OUT OF THE SOUTH. — Rather, _out of its chamber_ (see Job 9:9) cometh the whirlwind, or typhoon: and cold from the northern constellations, from the quarter of the heavens where they shine.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE BREADTH OF THE WATERS IS STRAITENED. — Firm, like a molten mass.... [ Continue Reading ]
He WEARIETH THE THICK CLOUD. — Also He ladeth the thick cloud with moisture, maketh it to be charged with rain. “He scattereth the cloud of His lightning,” that is, which containeth His lightning. Others render, “Yea, the bright sun weareth out (disperseth) the thick cloud; it scattereth the cloud t... [ Continue Reading ]
LIGHT OF HIS CLOUD — _i.e.,_ lightning, as before. “Dost thou know all the secrets of God’s thunderbolts, at whom and how He will use them?” Some understand this otherwise: “Dost thou know when God setteth the sun over them (the clouds), and causeth the light (_i.e.,_ the sun) to shine upon His clou... [ Continue Reading ]
THE BALANCINGS OF THE CLOUDS. — How they are poised and suspended in the sky. “Ye clouds, that far above _me float_ and pause.” — Coleridge.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN HE QUIETETH THE EARTH. — Or, _When the earth is still. _... [ Continue Reading ]
_(_18_)_ SPREAD OUT THE SKY. — Some understand this of the action of the sun in dispersing the clouds; but it seems more probable that it refers to God. “Hast thou spread out with Him the magnificent dome of heaven?” The words used, however, imply _the clouds_ rather than the cloudless sky which res... [ Continue Reading ]
TEACH US WHAT WE SHALL SAY UNTO (or, _concerning_) HIM — _i.e._, the sun. “He is altogether hidden by the clouds; but is he gone? is he not still there behind them?”... [ Continue Reading ]
BE SWALLOWED UP. — The sense will vary, according as we understand this of God or of the sun. In the first case, it is a simple expression of awe at God’s majesty: “Shall it be told Him that I would speak? If a man speak, surely he shall be swallowed up;” but unquestionably the sense is clearer if w... [ Continue Reading ]
AND NOW MEN SEE NOT THE BRIGHT LIGHT — _i.e.,_ the sun. “But he is bright behind the clouds, and when the wind has passed over them and cleared them away, even the north wind, he will come forth like gold; but upon God there is terrible majesty. Though the sun is hidden, we shall see him again, but... [ Continue Reading ]
TOUCHING THE ALMIGHTY, WE CANNOT FIND HIM OUT. — He is excellent, or mighty, in power and justice, &c.... [ Continue Reading ]
MEN DO THEREFORE FEAR HIM. — Or, “Therefore men may fear Him; but as for the wise in heart, no one even of them shall see Him.” This may be, and probably is, the meaning, though the literal rendering is that of the Authorised Version, which, however, involves a somewhat doubtful sentiment in itself,... [ Continue Reading ]