XXIX Job, after pausing a little while, shews, what comfort he formerly had in his house and family, ver. 1-6. What honour and power he had in his country, ver. 7-10. What good he did as a magistrate, ver. 11-17. And what a prospect he had of the continuance of his prosperity, ver. 18-25

Verse 2. Preserved - From all those miseries which now I feel.

Verse 3. Darkness - I passed safely through many difficulties, and dangers, and common calamities.

Verse 7. Seat - When I caused the seat of justice to be set for me. By this, and several other expressions, it appears that Job was a magistrate. Street - In that open place, near the gate, where the people assembled for the administration of justice.

Verse 10. Cleaved - It lay as still as if he had done so.

Verse 11. Witness - Gave testimony to my pious, and just, and blameless conversation.

Verse 14. Put on, &c. - Perhaps he did not wear these: but his steady justice was to him instead of all those ornaments.

Verse 18. Multiply - See how apt even good men are, to set death at a distance from them!

Verse 20. Glory - My reputation was growing every day. Bow - My strength which is signified by a bow, Gen. xlix, 24; 1 Sam. ii, 4, because in ancient times the bow and arrows were the principal instruments of war.

Verse 22. Dropped - As the rain, which when it comes down gently upon the earth, is most acceptable and beneficial to it.

Verse 24. Laughed - Carried myself so familiarly with them, that they could scarce believe their eyes and ears. Cast not down - They were cautious not to give me any occasion to change my countenance towards them.