23 "Oh, that my words were recorded, that they were written on a scroll, 24 that they were inscribed with an iron tool on[1] lead, or engraved in rock forever! 25 I know that my redeemer[2] lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth.[3] 26 And after my skin has been destroyed, yet[4] in[5] my flesh I will see God; 27 I myself will see him with my own eyes-I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me! 28 "If you say, 'How we will hound him, since the root of the trouble lies in him,[6] ' 29 you should fear the sword yourselves; for wrath will bring punishment by the sword, and then you will know that there is judgment.[7] "
23 Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book! 24 That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever! 25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: 26 And though after
23 "Oh that my words were written! Oh that they were inscribed in a book! 24 Oh that with an iron pen and lead they were engraved in the rock forever! 25 For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth.
23 "If only my words were written in a book - 24 better yet, chiseled in stone! 25 Still, I know that God lives - the One who gives me back my life - and eventually he'll take his stand on earth. 26 And I'll see him - even though I get skinned alive! - 27 see God myself, with my very own eyes. Oh, how I long for that day! 28 "If you're thinking, 'How can we get through to him, get him to see that his trouble is all his own fault?' 29 Forget it. Start worrying about yourselves. Worry about your own sins and God's coming judgment, for judgment is most certainly on the way."
23 "Oh, that my words were written! Oh, that they were inscribed in a book! 24 That they were engraved on a rock With an iron pen and lead, forever! 25 For I know that my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth; 26 And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, That in my flesh I shall see God, 27 Whom I shall see for myself, And my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me! 28 If you should say, 'How shall we persecute him?'-- Since the root of the matter is found in me, 29 Be afraid of the sword for yourselves; For wrath brings the punishment of the sword, That you may know there is a judgment."
23 "Oh, that my words could be recorded. Oh, that they could be inscribed on a monument, 24 carved with an iron chisel and filled with lead, engraved forever in the rock. 25 "But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last. 26 And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God! 27 I will see him for myself. Yes, I will see him with my own eyes. I am overwhelmed at the thought! 28 "How dare you go on persecuting me, saying, 'It's his own fault'? 29 You should fear punishment yourselves, for your attitude deserves punishment. Then you will know that there is indeed a judgment."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Job 19:23-29
Commentary on Job 19:23-29
(Read Job 19:23-29)
The Spirit of God, at this time, seems to have powerfully wrought on the mind of Job. Here he witnessed a good confession; declared the soundness of his faith, and the assurance of his hope. Here is much of Christ and heaven; and he that said such things are these, declared plainly that he sought the better country, that is, the heavenly. Job was taught of God to believe in a living Redeemer; to look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come; he comforted himself with the expectation of these. Job was assured, that this Redeemer of sinners from the yoke of Satan and the condemnation of sin, was his Redeemer, and expected salvation through him; and that he was a living Redeemer, though not yet come in the flesh; and that at the last day he would appear as the Judge of the world, to raise the dead, and complete the redemption of his people. With what pleasure holy Job enlarges upon this! May these faithful sayings be engraved by the Holy Spirit upon our hearts. We are all concerned to see that the root of the matter be in us. A living, quickening, commanding principle of grace in the heart, is the root of the matter; as necessary to our religion as the root of the tree, to which it owes both its fixedness and its fruitfulness. Job and his friends differed concerning the methods of Providence, but they agreed in the root of the matter, the belief of another world.