Psalms 6

Psalms 6:1

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 6:2

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 6:4

Introduction

This chapter is a new section in the monologue of Job. The theme of this chapter is that wisdom is not accessible to anyone but one who fear God. The theme of wisdom connects well with the previous chapter, which describes the rich person and his earthly riches and their end. Here now comes the true richness that does not perish, namely the wisdom that is with God. It is a song of praise to wisdom (Job 28:12; 20).

This chapter can be summarized as follows: man can sift through the earth (Job 28:1-11), but the most precious thing, wisdom, he cannot find (Job 28:12-19). God alone knows it (Job 28:20-28).

The Treasures of the Earth

Job is familiar with mining (Job 28:1). Timna’s copper mines are not far from Job’s place of residence. He describes the difficult and dangerous process of mining minerals. It would be wisdom for man to use the same energy with which he is committed to earthly wealth to find the true wealth, wisdom (Proverbs 2:1-5; 1 Corinthians 2:6-13).

God has placed the precious metals in the earth. They are not on the surface, so to speak, but must be dug up with hard work. When silver and gold have been found, they must be purified, so that pure silver and pure gold remain. The same goes for “the iron” and “the copper”, which are extracted in different ways (Job 28:2).

In order to obtain these coveted metals, man must enter the subterranean darkness (Job 28:3). He puts an end to the darkness by the light of his lamp. By the light of the lamp he seeks the limits of the rock that is “in gloom and deep shadow”.

The work is laborious and heavy, but no effort is too great for him. A shaft must be dug (Job 28:4). As its depth progresses, he is let down with ropes. There he dangles, with no hold for his foot, and floats down, further and further away from “habitation”, that is, from the inhabited world.

In Job 28:5 it says what is normal for the earth and that is to produce bread (Psalms 104:14). But man is not satisfied with that. In his longing for treasures, he also turns the inside of the earth upside down so that it looks as if a fire has raged. He is concerned with the precious sapphires (Exodus 28:18; Exodus 39:11) and the dust containing gold (Job 28:6).

Psalms 6:5

Introduction

This chapter is a new section in the monologue of Job. The theme of this chapter is that wisdom is not accessible to anyone but one who fear God. The theme of wisdom connects well with the previous chapter, which describes the rich person and his earthly riches and their end. Here now comes the true richness that does not perish, namely the wisdom that is with God. It is a song of praise to wisdom (Job 28:12; 20).

This chapter can be summarized as follows: man can sift through the earth (Job 28:1-11), but the most precious thing, wisdom, he cannot find (Job 28:12-19). God alone knows it (Job 28:20-28).

The Treasures of the Earth

Job is familiar with mining (Job 28:1). Timna’s copper mines are not far from Job’s place of residence. He describes the difficult and dangerous process of mining minerals. It would be wisdom for man to use the same energy with which he is committed to earthly wealth to find the true wealth, wisdom (Proverbs 2:1-5; 1 Corinthians 2:6-13).

God has placed the precious metals in the earth. They are not on the surface, so to speak, but must be dug up with hard work. When silver and gold have been found, they must be purified, so that pure silver and pure gold remain. The same goes for “the iron” and “the copper”, which are extracted in different ways (Job 28:2).

In order to obtain these coveted metals, man must enter the subterranean darkness (Job 28:3). He puts an end to the darkness by the light of his lamp. By the light of the lamp he seeks the limits of the rock that is “in gloom and deep shadow”.

The work is laborious and heavy, but no effort is too great for him. A shaft must be dug (Job 28:4). As its depth progresses, he is let down with ropes. There he dangles, with no hold for his foot, and floats down, further and further away from “habitation”, that is, from the inhabited world.

In Job 28:5 it says what is normal for the earth and that is to produce bread (Psalms 104:14). But man is not satisfied with that. In his longing for treasures, he also turns the inside of the earth upside down so that it looks as if a fire has raged. He is concerned with the precious sapphires (Exodus 28:18; Exodus 39:11) and the dust containing gold (Job 28:6).

Psalms 6:6

Introduction

This chapter is a new section in the monologue of Job. The theme of this chapter is that wisdom is not accessible to anyone but one who fear God. The theme of wisdom connects well with the previous chapter, which describes the rich person and his earthly riches and their end. Here now comes the true richness that does not perish, namely the wisdom that is with God. It is a song of praise to wisdom (Job 28:12; 20).

This chapter can be summarized as follows: man can sift through the earth (Job 28:1-11), but the most precious thing, wisdom, he cannot find (Job 28:12-19). God alone knows it (Job 28:20-28).

The Treasures of the Earth

Job is familiar with mining (Job 28:1). Timna’s copper mines are not far from Job’s place of residence. He describes the difficult and dangerous process of mining minerals. It would be wisdom for man to use the same energy with which he is committed to earthly wealth to find the true wealth, wisdom (Proverbs 2:1-5; 1 Corinthians 2:6-13).

God has placed the precious metals in the earth. They are not on the surface, so to speak, but must be dug up with hard work. When silver and gold have been found, they must be purified, so that pure silver and pure gold remain. The same goes for “the iron” and “the copper”, which are extracted in different ways (Job 28:2).

In order to obtain these coveted metals, man must enter the subterranean darkness (Job 28:3). He puts an end to the darkness by the light of his lamp. By the light of the lamp he seeks the limits of the rock that is “in gloom and deep shadow”.

The work is laborious and heavy, but no effort is too great for him. A shaft must be dug (Job 28:4). As its depth progresses, he is let down with ropes. There he dangles, with no hold for his foot, and floats down, further and further away from “habitation”, that is, from the inhabited world.

In Job 28:5 it says what is normal for the earth and that is to produce bread (Psalms 104:14). But man is not satisfied with that. In his longing for treasures, he also turns the inside of the earth upside down so that it looks as if a fire has raged. He is concerned with the precious sapphires (Exodus 28:18; Exodus 39:11) and the dust containing gold (Job 28:6).

Psalms 6:7

Introduction

This chapter is a new section in the monologue of Job. The theme of this chapter is that wisdom is not accessible to anyone but one who fear God. The theme of wisdom connects well with the previous chapter, which describes the rich person and his earthly riches and their end. Here now comes the true richness that does not perish, namely the wisdom that is with God. It is a song of praise to wisdom (Job 28:12; 20).

This chapter can be summarized as follows: man can sift through the earth (Job 28:1-11), but the most precious thing, wisdom, he cannot find (Job 28:12-19). God alone knows it (Job 28:20-28).

The Treasures of the Earth

Job is familiar with mining (Job 28:1). Timna’s copper mines are not far from Job’s place of residence. He describes the difficult and dangerous process of mining minerals. It would be wisdom for man to use the same energy with which he is committed to earthly wealth to find the true wealth, wisdom (Proverbs 2:1-5; 1 Corinthians 2:6-13).

God has placed the precious metals in the earth. They are not on the surface, so to speak, but must be dug up with hard work. When silver and gold have been found, they must be purified, so that pure silver and pure gold remain. The same goes for “the iron” and “the copper”, which are extracted in different ways (Job 28:2).

In order to obtain these coveted metals, man must enter the subterranean darkness (Job 28:3). He puts an end to the darkness by the light of his lamp. By the light of the lamp he seeks the limits of the rock that is “in gloom and deep shadow”.

The work is laborious and heavy, but no effort is too great for him. A shaft must be dug (Job 28:4). As its depth progresses, he is let down with ropes. There he dangles, with no hold for his foot, and floats down, further and further away from “habitation”, that is, from the inhabited world.

In Job 28:5 it says what is normal for the earth and that is to produce bread (Psalms 104:14). But man is not satisfied with that. In his longing for treasures, he also turns the inside of the earth upside down so that it looks as if a fire has raged. He is concerned with the precious sapphires (Exodus 28:18; Exodus 39:11) and the dust containing gold (Job 28:6).

Psalms 6:8

Introduction

This chapter is a new section in the monologue of Job. The theme of this chapter is that wisdom is not accessible to anyone but one who fear God. The theme of wisdom connects well with the previous chapter, which describes the rich person and his earthly riches and their end. Here now comes the true richness that does not perish, namely the wisdom that is with God. It is a song of praise to wisdom (Job 28:12; 20).

This chapter can be summarized as follows: man can sift through the earth (Job 28:1-11), but the most precious thing, wisdom, he cannot find (Job 28:12-19). God alone knows it (Job 28:20-28).

The Treasures of the Earth

Job is familiar with mining (Job 28:1). Timna’s copper mines are not far from Job’s place of residence. He describes the difficult and dangerous process of mining minerals. It would be wisdom for man to use the same energy with which he is committed to earthly wealth to find the true wealth, wisdom (Proverbs 2:1-5; 1 Corinthians 2:6-13).

God has placed the precious metals in the earth. They are not on the surface, so to speak, but must be dug up with hard work. When silver and gold have been found, they must be purified, so that pure silver and pure gold remain. The same goes for “the iron” and “the copper”, which are extracted in different ways (Job 28:2).

In order to obtain these coveted metals, man must enter the subterranean darkness (Job 28:3). He puts an end to the darkness by the light of his lamp. By the light of the lamp he seeks the limits of the rock that is “in gloom and deep shadow”.

The work is laborious and heavy, but no effort is too great for him. A shaft must be dug (Job 28:4). As its depth progresses, he is let down with ropes. There he dangles, with no hold for his foot, and floats down, further and further away from “habitation”, that is, from the inhabited world.

In Job 28:5 it says what is normal for the earth and that is to produce bread (Psalms 104:14). But man is not satisfied with that. In his longing for treasures, he also turns the inside of the earth upside down so that it looks as if a fire has raged. He is concerned with the precious sapphires (Exodus 28:18; Exodus 39:11) and the dust containing gold (Job 28:6).

Psalms 6:9

Introduction

This chapter is a new section in the monologue of Job. The theme of this chapter is that wisdom is not accessible to anyone but one who fear God. The theme of wisdom connects well with the previous chapter, which describes the rich person and his earthly riches and their end. Here now comes the true richness that does not perish, namely the wisdom that is with God. It is a song of praise to wisdom (Job 28:12; 20).

This chapter can be summarized as follows: man can sift through the earth (Job 28:1-11), but the most precious thing, wisdom, he cannot find (Job 28:12-19). God alone knows it (Job 28:20-28).

The Treasures of the Earth

Job is familiar with mining (Job 28:1). Timna’s copper mines are not far from Job’s place of residence. He describes the difficult and dangerous process of mining minerals. It would be wisdom for man to use the same energy with which he is committed to earthly wealth to find the true wealth, wisdom (Proverbs 2:1-5; 1 Corinthians 2:6-13).

God has placed the precious metals in the earth. They are not on the surface, so to speak, but must be dug up with hard work. When silver and gold have been found, they must be purified, so that pure silver and pure gold remain. The same goes for “the iron” and “the copper”, which are extracted in different ways (Job 28:2).

In order to obtain these coveted metals, man must enter the subterranean darkness (Job 28:3). He puts an end to the darkness by the light of his lamp. By the light of the lamp he seeks the limits of the rock that is “in gloom and deep shadow”.

The work is laborious and heavy, but no effort is too great for him. A shaft must be dug (Job 28:4). As its depth progresses, he is let down with ropes. There he dangles, with no hold for his foot, and floats down, further and further away from “habitation”, that is, from the inhabited world.

In Job 28:5 it says what is normal for the earth and that is to produce bread (Psalms 104:14). But man is not satisfied with that. In his longing for treasures, he also turns the inside of the earth upside down so that it looks as if a fire has raged. He is concerned with the precious sapphires (Exodus 28:18; Exodus 39:11) and the dust containing gold (Job 28:6).

Psalms 6:10

The Hidden Treasures

“The bird of prey” has a sharp eye, but he can’t see the path that man has taken to the earth’s treasures (Job 28:7). The “falcon” or “harrier” is also a bird of prey and also has a sharp eye. It distinguishes itself from other birds of prey because it does not build its nest in the trees, but on the ground. It also flies low over the ground to catch its prey. “The proud beasts” and “the [fierce] lion” walk the earth with great strength and courage, but can’t make a hole in the ground to dig treasures (Job 28:8).

Man, the miner, comes to places the bird of prey can’t see and the lion can’t reach. He works the hardest rocks to see if there is something valuable in them (Job 28:9). He doesn’t shy away from high mountains either, but digs them down to the depths where the roots [the literal translation of “base”], the deeper parts of the mountains, are. He makes his way through the rocks by carving out corridors in them to see if there is something valuable in them (Job 28:10). This he sees at once, for that is what he searches for and that is what he works for. He also dams the groundwater to reveal what is hidden in the darkness of the water (Job 28:11).