Psalm 179 from Beyond Psalm 150
The book of Job records dialogue between Job and his four friends.
Each one offers him their perspective on the situation—through their limited theology. To varying degrees, all four assert that Job’s downfall is either his fault or God’s doing.
Job disagrees, maintains his innocence, and proclaims God’s blamelessness. He has questions for sure, but in making his inquiries of God, he does so with a right perspective that God appreciates.
God gives a lengthy response to Job and his four friends, primarily to the four friends. Yet Job receives God’s words as a mortifying rebuke.
He humbles himself before his Lord and offers this psalm of contrition.
I know that you can do all things,
Job 42:2–6 (WEB)
and that no purpose of yours can be restrained.
You asked, ‘Who is this who hides counsel without knowledge?’
therefore I have uttered that which I didn’t understand,
things too wonderful for me, which I didn’t know.
You said, ‘Listen, now, and I will speak;
I will question you, and you will answer me.’
I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear,
but now my eye sees you.
Therefore I abhor myself,
and repent in dust and ashes.
Reflections on Job Speaks to God
Job endured much at Satan’s hand. Nevertheless, Job remained true to his Lord despite much suffering, and God blessed him by restoring what he lost twofold.
Regardless of what befalls us, are we able to endure it without sinning, as Job did?
Though God can restore to us what we’ve lost, will we remain true to him even if he doesn’t?
May our confidence in Yahweh never waver.
Explore the other psalms—sacred songs of praise, petition, and lament—scattered throughout the Bible in Peter’s book Beyond Psalm 150.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
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