Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible

Will God hear his cry when trouble cometh upon him? - Coverdale has rendered this Job 27:8-9 so as to make excellent sense, though not strictly in accordance with the original. “What hope hath the hypocrite though he have great good, and though God give him riches after his heart‘s desire? Doth God hear him the sooner, when he crieth unto him in his necessity?” The object of the verse is to show the miserable condition of a wicked man or a hypocrite. This is shown by the fact which Job asserts, that God will not hear his cry when he feels his need of aid, and when he is induced to call upon him. This is true only when his object in calling upon God is merely for help. If he has no relentings for his sin, and no real confidence in God; if he calls upon him in trouble, intending to return to his sins as soon as the trouble is over, or if such is the state of his mind that God sees that he would return to his sins as soon as his calamities cease, then he cannot be expected to hear him. But if he comes with a penitent heart, and with a sincere purpose to forsake his sins and to devote himself to God, there is no reason to doubt that he would bear him. The argument of Job is in the main sound. It is, that if a man wishes the favor of God, and the assurance that he will hear his prayer, he must lead a holy life. A hypocrite cannot expect his favor: compare the notes at Isaiah 1:15.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

Will God hear his cry when trouble cometh, upon him? No, he will not, he heareth not sinners, and such as regard iniquity in their hearts, Psalm 66:18; every man has trouble more or less in this life, even the best of men; and generally speaking they have the most, and wicked men the least; but when death comes, he is a king of terrors to them, and they find sorrow and trouble; and especially at the day of judgment, when they will cry for mercy; and hypocrites, as the foolish virgins, will cry, "Lord, Lord, open unto us", Matthew 25:11; but when they call for mercy, the Lord will not answer, but laugh at their calamity, and mock when their fear cometh, Proverbs 1:26; but God hears the cries of his people when in, trouble, whether in, life, or, in death, and is a present help unto them; and when, strength and heart fail, he is their portion, and will be so for evermore; and though sometimes they think he does not hear them, as Job sometimes complains, yet he makes it appear that he does sooner or later, and so Job describes himself as one that "calleth upon God, and he answereth him", Job 12:4; and therefore might conclude he was no hypocrite.

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

(Psalm 66:18).

John Trapp Complete Commentary

Job 27:9 Will God hear his cry when trouble cometh upon him?

Ver. 9. Will God hear his cry] Here is another distinctive note between a hypocrite and an honest man. As many are said in Daniel to cleave to the better side by flattery, so many false signs will come in, and flatter a man (when he is in health and prosperity), and give their testimony, speak the same thing that true evidences do; but this will not always hold.

When trouble cometh upon him?] Then the hypocrite will cry, and make pitiful moans; as a prisoner at the bar begs for his life. Then Joab and Adonijah will run to the horns of the altar, who till then little cared to come there. But with as ill success they cry to God as Saul did, 1 Samuel 28:15, and as other of David’s enemies did, Psalms 18:41; for either God answereth them not at all, Ezekiel 21:2-3, or else he answereth them according to the idols of their hearts, Ezekiel 14:3, gives them bitter answers, as 10:13-14. Or if better, it is for the good of others, and for a further mischief to themselves, that he may snatch away his own and be gone, Hosea 2:9, and that he may consume them after he hath done them good, Joshua 24:20 : their preservation proverb but a reservation.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

A hypocrite doth not pray to God with comfort, or any solid hope that God will hear him, as I know he will hear me, though not in the way which you think.

When trouble cometh upon him; when his guilty conscience will fly in his face, so as he dare not pray; and accuse him to God, so as God will not hear him.

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments

Job 27:9. Will God hear his cry when trouble cometh? — When any calamity comes upon him; or, when his conscience accuses him, and his guilt flies in his face? Will God pay any regard to the cries of one who regarded him so little?

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

Him. Like Antiochus, the wicked pray only through fear of punishment, and their request is therefore rejected, 2 Machabees ix. 13. (Menochius)

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

Will . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis.

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Unabridged

Will God hear his cry when trouble cometh upon him?

(Psalms 66:18, "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.")

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Will God

35:12,13; Psalms 18:41; 66:18; 109:7; Proverbs 1:28; 28:9; Isaiah 1:15; Jeremiah 11:11; 14:12; Ezekiel 8:18; Micah 3:4; Zechariah 7:13; John 9:31; James 4:3

his cry

Hosea 7:14; Luke 13:25