Psalms 5

Psalms 5:1

Contrast With the Character of a Wicked

In Job 27:7-10 Job speaks of the fate of the wicked and the godless or hypocrite as always presented by the friends and applied to Job. He agrees with what the friends have said, for this is indeed the general rule. God is a judge of evil. Job, however, applied this truth in a very different way than the friends did. We see this from Job 27:11 onward, when he teaches about “the power [or: hand] of God”, i.e. the acts of God.

Job describes his friends as “my enemy” and “my opponent” (Job 27:7). They have addressed him “as the wicked”, “as the unjust” and in this way approached him as an enemy and an opponent. He wants to make it clear to them how impossible it is to confuse someone like him with a wicked one and someone who does wrong. He is not such a person.

Indeed, for the godless or the hypocrite – to the friends Job is such a person – there is no hope if God cuts off his life and takes away his soul, his life (Job 27:8). But Job is not godless or a hypocrite, nor is he without hope. He keeps hoping for God, right through all the questions he has about his suffering.

God does not hear the cry of the godless or hypocrite for help when he calls to Him in his distress (Job 27:9). The reason for this is that the godless has no real relationship with God, the Almighty. He doesn’t want that either, he doesn’t take delight in Him (Job 27:10). That is why he does not call on God at all times, but only when distress comes upon him. This is different with Job. Job does indeed delight in the Almighty and calls on Him at all times. He did the same when he lived in prosperity. Although Job does not (yet) receive an answer to his call for help, he knows that God hears him.

Instead of being taught by friends about the ways of God, Job can give them some instruction “in the power [or: hand] of God” (Job 27:11). He reverses the roles. He knows the Almighty and will not hide from them what he knows of Him. Surely they have seen for themselves what he used to be like, that there was no injustice with him (Job 27:12)? Why then, do they hold fast to their acting “foolishly” or, as it also can be translated, their speaking “vanity”, their empty talk, their hollow phrases?

Psalms 5:2

Contrast With the Character of a Wicked

In Job 27:7-10 Job speaks of the fate of the wicked and the godless or hypocrite as always presented by the friends and applied to Job. He agrees with what the friends have said, for this is indeed the general rule. God is a judge of evil. Job, however, applied this truth in a very different way than the friends did. We see this from Job 27:11 onward, when he teaches about “the power [or: hand] of God”, i.e. the acts of God.

Job describes his friends as “my enemy” and “my opponent” (Job 27:7). They have addressed him “as the wicked”, “as the unjust” and in this way approached him as an enemy and an opponent. He wants to make it clear to them how impossible it is to confuse someone like him with a wicked one and someone who does wrong. He is not such a person.

Indeed, for the godless or the hypocrite – to the friends Job is such a person – there is no hope if God cuts off his life and takes away his soul, his life (Job 27:8). But Job is not godless or a hypocrite, nor is he without hope. He keeps hoping for God, right through all the questions he has about his suffering.

God does not hear the cry of the godless or hypocrite for help when he calls to Him in his distress (Job 27:9). The reason for this is that the godless has no real relationship with God, the Almighty. He doesn’t want that either, he doesn’t take delight in Him (Job 27:10). That is why he does not call on God at all times, but only when distress comes upon him. This is different with Job. Job does indeed delight in the Almighty and calls on Him at all times. He did the same when he lived in prosperity. Although Job does not (yet) receive an answer to his call for help, he knows that God hears him.

Instead of being taught by friends about the ways of God, Job can give them some instruction “in the power [or: hand] of God” (Job 27:11). He reverses the roles. He knows the Almighty and will not hide from them what he knows of Him. Surely they have seen for themselves what he used to be like, that there was no injustice with him (Job 27:12)? Why then, do they hold fast to their acting “foolishly” or, as it also can be translated, their speaking “vanity”, their empty talk, their hollow phrases?

Psalms 5:3

Contrast With the Character of a Wicked

In Job 27:7-10 Job speaks of the fate of the wicked and the godless or hypocrite as always presented by the friends and applied to Job. He agrees with what the friends have said, for this is indeed the general rule. God is a judge of evil. Job, however, applied this truth in a very different way than the friends did. We see this from Job 27:11 onward, when he teaches about “the power [or: hand] of God”, i.e. the acts of God.

Job describes his friends as “my enemy” and “my opponent” (Job 27:7). They have addressed him “as the wicked”, “as the unjust” and in this way approached him as an enemy and an opponent. He wants to make it clear to them how impossible it is to confuse someone like him with a wicked one and someone who does wrong. He is not such a person.

Indeed, for the godless or the hypocrite – to the friends Job is such a person – there is no hope if God cuts off his life and takes away his soul, his life (Job 27:8). But Job is not godless or a hypocrite, nor is he without hope. He keeps hoping for God, right through all the questions he has about his suffering.

God does not hear the cry of the godless or hypocrite for help when he calls to Him in his distress (Job 27:9). The reason for this is that the godless has no real relationship with God, the Almighty. He doesn’t want that either, he doesn’t take delight in Him (Job 27:10). That is why he does not call on God at all times, but only when distress comes upon him. This is different with Job. Job does indeed delight in the Almighty and calls on Him at all times. He did the same when he lived in prosperity. Although Job does not (yet) receive an answer to his call for help, he knows that God hears him.

Instead of being taught by friends about the ways of God, Job can give them some instruction “in the power [or: hand] of God” (Job 27:11). He reverses the roles. He knows the Almighty and will not hide from them what he knows of Him. Surely they have seen for themselves what he used to be like, that there was no injustice with him (Job 27:12)? Why then, do they hold fast to their acting “foolishly” or, as it also can be translated, their speaking “vanity”, their empty talk, their hollow phrases?

Psalms 5:4

The Sure Destiny of the Wicked

Job clearly tells them that the reason everything was taken away from him by God does not lie in the fact of a sinful life that deserved God’s wrath. He is not a wicked man. God has another portion for “the wicked man” (Job 27:13). “The tyrants” receive from the Almighty “the inheritance”. Zophar has already stated this in his second speech (Job 20:29). It is something they do not necessarily receive now, in this life, but it may also be after their death. But the Almighty keeps it with Himself until the moment of the account, irrespective of whether that moment is already on earth or only after this life (cf. 1 Timothy 5:24).

The wicked and the tyrants may have numerous descendants, but they will die a violent death or starve to death (Job 27:14). We have an example of this in what happened to the children of Haman, the hater of the Jews (Esther 5:11; Esther 9:6-10). “Be buried because of the plague” means to die by the pestilence (Job 27:15). The widows will not shed a tear. They may even be happy to be rid of him.

Of his “silver” and his beautiful “garments”, both of which he has in enormous quantities, he himself will have no lasting pleasure. They will be for “the just” and “the innocent” (Job 27:16-17; Proverbs 13:22; Esther 8:1-2).

A house built “like the spider’s web” is a house that collapses just as quickly and easily as the web of a spider (Job 27:18; cf. Job 4:19). It is no more than a makeshift hut that a watchman makes in the vineyard during grape harvest time. Thus is the house of the wicked.

Psalms 5:5

The Sure Destiny of the Wicked

Job clearly tells them that the reason everything was taken away from him by God does not lie in the fact of a sinful life that deserved God’s wrath. He is not a wicked man. God has another portion for “the wicked man” (Job 27:13). “The tyrants” receive from the Almighty “the inheritance”. Zophar has already stated this in his second speech (Job 20:29). It is something they do not necessarily receive now, in this life, but it may also be after their death. But the Almighty keeps it with Himself until the moment of the account, irrespective of whether that moment is already on earth or only after this life (cf. 1 Timothy 5:24).

The wicked and the tyrants may have numerous descendants, but they will die a violent death or starve to death (Job 27:14). We have an example of this in what happened to the children of Haman, the hater of the Jews (Esther 5:11; Esther 9:6-10). “Be buried because of the plague” means to die by the pestilence (Job 27:15). The widows will not shed a tear. They may even be happy to be rid of him.

Of his “silver” and his beautiful “garments”, both of which he has in enormous quantities, he himself will have no lasting pleasure. They will be for “the just” and “the innocent” (Job 27:16-17; Proverbs 13:22; Esther 8:1-2).

A house built “like the spider’s web” is a house that collapses just as quickly and easily as the web of a spider (Job 27:18; cf. Job 4:19). It is no more than a makeshift hut that a watchman makes in the vineyard during grape harvest time. Thus is the house of the wicked.

Psalms 5:6

The Sure Destiny of the Wicked

Job clearly tells them that the reason everything was taken away from him by God does not lie in the fact of a sinful life that deserved God’s wrath. He is not a wicked man. God has another portion for “the wicked man” (Job 27:13). “The tyrants” receive from the Almighty “the inheritance”. Zophar has already stated this in his second speech (Job 20:29). It is something they do not necessarily receive now, in this life, but it may also be after their death. But the Almighty keeps it with Himself until the moment of the account, irrespective of whether that moment is already on earth or only after this life (cf. 1 Timothy 5:24).

The wicked and the tyrants may have numerous descendants, but they will die a violent death or starve to death (Job 27:14). We have an example of this in what happened to the children of Haman, the hater of the Jews (Esther 5:11; Esther 9:6-10). “Be buried because of the plague” means to die by the pestilence (Job 27:15). The widows will not shed a tear. They may even be happy to be rid of him.

Of his “silver” and his beautiful “garments”, both of which he has in enormous quantities, he himself will have no lasting pleasure. They will be for “the just” and “the innocent” (Job 27:16-17; Proverbs 13:22; Esther 8:1-2).

A house built “like the spider’s web” is a house that collapses just as quickly and easily as the web of a spider (Job 27:18; cf. Job 4:19). It is no more than a makeshift hut that a watchman makes in the vineyard during grape harvest time. Thus is the house of the wicked.

Psalms 5:7

The Sure Destiny of the Wicked

Job clearly tells them that the reason everything was taken away from him by God does not lie in the fact of a sinful life that deserved God’s wrath. He is not a wicked man. God has another portion for “the wicked man” (Job 27:13). “The tyrants” receive from the Almighty “the inheritance”. Zophar has already stated this in his second speech (Job 20:29). It is something they do not necessarily receive now, in this life, but it may also be after their death. But the Almighty keeps it with Himself until the moment of the account, irrespective of whether that moment is already on earth or only after this life (cf. 1 Timothy 5:24).

The wicked and the tyrants may have numerous descendants, but they will die a violent death or starve to death (Job 27:14). We have an example of this in what happened to the children of Haman, the hater of the Jews (Esther 5:11; Esther 9:6-10). “Be buried because of the plague” means to die by the pestilence (Job 27:15). The widows will not shed a tear. They may even be happy to be rid of him.

Of his “silver” and his beautiful “garments”, both of which he has in enormous quantities, he himself will have no lasting pleasure. They will be for “the just” and “the innocent” (Job 27:16-17; Proverbs 13:22; Esther 8:1-2).

A house built “like the spider’s web” is a house that collapses just as quickly and easily as the web of a spider (Job 27:18; cf. Job 4:19). It is no more than a makeshift hut that a watchman makes in the vineyard during grape harvest time. Thus is the house of the wicked.

Psalms 5:8

The Sure Destiny of the Wicked

Job clearly tells them that the reason everything was taken away from him by God does not lie in the fact of a sinful life that deserved God’s wrath. He is not a wicked man. God has another portion for “the wicked man” (Job 27:13). “The tyrants” receive from the Almighty “the inheritance”. Zophar has already stated this in his second speech (Job 20:29). It is something they do not necessarily receive now, in this life, but it may also be after their death. But the Almighty keeps it with Himself until the moment of the account, irrespective of whether that moment is already on earth or only after this life (cf. 1 Timothy 5:24).

The wicked and the tyrants may have numerous descendants, but they will die a violent death or starve to death (Job 27:14). We have an example of this in what happened to the children of Haman, the hater of the Jews (Esther 5:11; Esther 9:6-10). “Be buried because of the plague” means to die by the pestilence (Job 27:15). The widows will not shed a tear. They may even be happy to be rid of him.

Of his “silver” and his beautiful “garments”, both of which he has in enormous quantities, he himself will have no lasting pleasure. They will be for “the just” and “the innocent” (Job 27:16-17; Proverbs 13:22; Esther 8:1-2).

A house built “like the spider’s web” is a house that collapses just as quickly and easily as the web of a spider (Job 27:18; cf. Job 4:19). It is no more than a makeshift hut that a watchman makes in the vineyard during grape harvest time. Thus is the house of the wicked.

Psalms 5:9

The Sure Destiny of the Wicked

Job clearly tells them that the reason everything was taken away from him by God does not lie in the fact of a sinful life that deserved God’s wrath. He is not a wicked man. God has another portion for “the wicked man” (Job 27:13). “The tyrants” receive from the Almighty “the inheritance”. Zophar has already stated this in his second speech (Job 20:29). It is something they do not necessarily receive now, in this life, but it may also be after their death. But the Almighty keeps it with Himself until the moment of the account, irrespective of whether that moment is already on earth or only after this life (cf. 1 Timothy 5:24).

The wicked and the tyrants may have numerous descendants, but they will die a violent death or starve to death (Job 27:14). We have an example of this in what happened to the children of Haman, the hater of the Jews (Esther 5:11; Esther 9:6-10). “Be buried because of the plague” means to die by the pestilence (Job 27:15). The widows will not shed a tear. They may even be happy to be rid of him.

Of his “silver” and his beautiful “garments”, both of which he has in enormous quantities, he himself will have no lasting pleasure. They will be for “the just” and “the innocent” (Job 27:16-17; Proverbs 13:22; Esther 8:1-2).

A house built “like the spider’s web” is a house that collapses just as quickly and easily as the web of a spider (Job 27:18; cf. Job 4:19). It is no more than a makeshift hut that a watchman makes in the vineyard during grape harvest time. Thus is the house of the wicked.

Psalms 5:10

Whirled Away in His Wickedness

The wicked rich lays down to sleep without realizing that it may be for the last time (Job 27:19). When he opens his eyes, everything is gone. The Lord Jesus tells of such a person in the parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:16-21). His eyes, which for so long were closed to all that bears witness to God, will open in another world. The Lord Jesus tells of another rich man who lifted up his eyes in Hades, in the pains (Luke 16:23), which, by the way, is not a parable, but the real condition after death. Job describes this end calmly, because he knows that this is not his end.

Job 27:20-21 are reminiscent of the parable the Lord Jesus tells of a house built on the sand by a fool (Matthew 7:24-27). When the floods come and winds blow and slam against it, it collapses. There is also a sudden aspect. The wicked man is suddenly struck and taken away by a scorching wind or a violent storm. The terrors overtake him, while it is impossible to avert them or resist them. It says so impressively: “And he is gone.”

All these disasters are sent by God over the wicked (Job 27:22). He will want to flee quickly, but that is impossible. If God does not spare, there is no escape. Thus God has not spared His Son, but judged Him in the place of all who believe in Him. But He does not spare the stubborn sinner who continues to resist Him (2 Peter 2:4-5; John 3:36).

The fellowmen will be bewildered at the outcome of the prosperous wicked (Job 27:23). One will express audibly and visibly the terror that has afflicted them (Lamentations 2:15; cf. Revelation 18:9).

Psalms 5:11

Whirled Away in His Wickedness

The wicked rich lays down to sleep without realizing that it may be for the last time (Job 27:19). When he opens his eyes, everything is gone. The Lord Jesus tells of such a person in the parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:16-21). His eyes, which for so long were closed to all that bears witness to God, will open in another world. The Lord Jesus tells of another rich man who lifted up his eyes in Hades, in the pains (Luke 16:23), which, by the way, is not a parable, but the real condition after death. Job describes this end calmly, because he knows that this is not his end.

Job 27:20-21 are reminiscent of the parable the Lord Jesus tells of a house built on the sand by a fool (Matthew 7:24-27). When the floods come and winds blow and slam against it, it collapses. There is also a sudden aspect. The wicked man is suddenly struck and taken away by a scorching wind or a violent storm. The terrors overtake him, while it is impossible to avert them or resist them. It says so impressively: “And he is gone.”

All these disasters are sent by God over the wicked (Job 27:22). He will want to flee quickly, but that is impossible. If God does not spare, there is no escape. Thus God has not spared His Son, but judged Him in the place of all who believe in Him. But He does not spare the stubborn sinner who continues to resist Him (2 Peter 2:4-5; John 3:36).

The fellowmen will be bewildered at the outcome of the prosperous wicked (Job 27:23). One will express audibly and visibly the terror that has afflicted them (Lamentations 2:15; cf. Revelation 18:9).

Psalms 5:12

Whirled Away in His Wickedness

The wicked rich lays down to sleep without realizing that it may be for the last time (Job 27:19). When he opens his eyes, everything is gone. The Lord Jesus tells of such a person in the parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:16-21). His eyes, which for so long were closed to all that bears witness to God, will open in another world. The Lord Jesus tells of another rich man who lifted up his eyes in Hades, in the pains (Luke 16:23), which, by the way, is not a parable, but the real condition after death. Job describes this end calmly, because he knows that this is not his end.

Job 27:20-21 are reminiscent of the parable the Lord Jesus tells of a house built on the sand by a fool (Matthew 7:24-27). When the floods come and winds blow and slam against it, it collapses. There is also a sudden aspect. The wicked man is suddenly struck and taken away by a scorching wind or a violent storm. The terrors overtake him, while it is impossible to avert them or resist them. It says so impressively: “And he is gone.”

All these disasters are sent by God over the wicked (Job 27:22). He will want to flee quickly, but that is impossible. If God does not spare, there is no escape. Thus God has not spared His Son, but judged Him in the place of all who believe in Him. But He does not spare the stubborn sinner who continues to resist Him (2 Peter 2:4-5; John 3:36).

The fellowmen will be bewildered at the outcome of the prosperous wicked (Job 27:23). One will express audibly and visibly the terror that has afflicted them (Lamentations 2:15; cf. Revelation 18:9).