Study Desk

'For he adds rebellion [in his unsubmissive, defiant attitude toward God] to his [unacknowledged] sin; He claps his hands among us [in open mockery and contempt of God], And he multiplies his words [of accusation] against God.'"

"For you say, 'What advantage have you [by living a righteous life]? What profit will I have, more [by being righteous] than if I had sinned?'

"Because of the multitudes of oppressions the people cry out; They cry for help because of the [violent] arm of the mighty.

"Even though you say that you do not see Him [when missing His righteous judgment on earth], Yet your case is before Him, and you must wait for Him!

"For truly my words are not false; He who is perfect in knowledge is with you.

"But the godless in heart store up anger [at the divine discipline]; They do not cry [to Him] for help when He binds them [with cords of affliction].

"Do not long for the night, When people vanish from their places.

"Take heed and be careful, do not turn to wickedness, For you have chosen this [the vice of complaining against God] rather than [learning from] affliction.

"For He draws up the drops of water, They distill rain from the mist,

"For by these [mighty acts] He judges the peoples; He gives food in abundance.

"For He says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth'; And [He speaks] to the showers and to the downpour [of His mighty rains], 'Be strong.'

"Whether [it be] for correction, or for His earth [generally] Or for [His] mercy and lovingkindness, He causes it to happen.

"Out of the north comes golden splendor [and people can hardly look on it]; Around God is awesome splendor and majesty [far too glorious for man's eyes].

When the morning stars sang together And all the sons of God (angels) shouted for joy?

And marked for it My [appointed] boundary And set bars and doors [defining the shorelines],

"Where is the way where light dwells? And as for darkness, where is its place,

Which I have reserved for the time of trouble, For the day of battle and war?

"Who has prepared a channel for the torrents of rain and for the flood, Or a path for the thunderbolt,

"Can you [Job] hunt the prey for the lion, Or satisfy the appetite of the young lions

"Who provides prey for the raven When its young cry to God And wander about without food?