Job 35:10

But none saith, Where [is] God my maker, who giveth songs in the night;

But none saith {H559}, Where is God {H433} my maker {H6213}, who giveth {H5414} songs {H2158} in the night {H3915};

But no one asks, 'Where is God my maker, who causes glad songs to ring out at night,

But no one asks, ‘Where is God my Maker, who gives us songs in the night,

But none saith, Where is God my Maker, Who giveth songs in the night,

Commentary

Context

Job 35:10 is part of Elihu's fourth and final discourse to Job and his three friends. Elihu, a younger observer, steps in to offer his perspective on Job's suffering and God's justice, believing both Job and his friends have erred in their understanding. In this chapter, Elihu contends that God is far greater than human beings and that our actions, whether good or bad, do not affect God's essential being. He criticizes Job for suggesting that God does not hear the cries of the afflicted or that there is no profit in seeking Him. Elihu argues that people often cry out under oppression but fail to seek God, their Maker, who is the true source of comfort and strength, even in their darkest moments.

Key Themes

  • Divine Comfort in Adversity: The central and most profound theme is God's ability to provide solace and joy ("songs") even in the midst of profound darkness and suffering ("the night"). This speaks to a spiritual comfort that transcends circumstances.
  • Human Forgetfulness and Failure to Seek God: Elihu highlights a common human failing: in times of distress, people often focus on their pain and complaint, rather than actively seeking God, who alone can provide true relief and perspective. They cry out *about* their trouble, but not *to* God for His presence.
  • God as Creator and Sustainer: The phrase "God my maker" emphasizes God's sovereign role as the one who created humanity and, therefore, has the power and the will to sustain, comfort, and guide His creation, even through the most challenging experiences.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "songs in the night" (Hebrew: zemirowth ballaylah - זְמִרוֹת בַּלָּיְלָה) is particularly evocative. Zemirowth refers to melodies or songs, often associated with praise or joyful expression. Ballaylah simply means "in the night," which universally symbolizes periods of trouble, sorrow, despair, or spiritual darkness. The juxtaposition powerfully conveys the idea that God can bring forth praise, hope, and inner peace even when external circumstances are bleak and devoid of natural light or comfort. This is not merely the absence of sorrow, but the active presence of divine comfort.

Related Scriptures

  • This verse beautifully echoes the sentiment found in Psalm 42:8, which states, "Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life."
  • The concept of finding joy and peace in difficult circumstances is also exemplified by the apostles Paul and Silas, who, despite being imprisoned and beaten, were found singing praises to God in their jail cell (Acts 16:25).
  • The idea of God as "my maker" is a foundational truth throughout scripture, emphasizing His creative power and intimate relationship with humanity (e.g., Isaiah 43:1).
  • Elihu's critique about not seeking God in distress also aligns with the call to call upon God in the day of trouble (Psalm 50:15) and the promise that He will be found when sought wholeheartedly (Jeremiah 29:13).

Practical Application

Job 35:10 serves as a powerful reminder and challenge for believers today. When facing trials, pain, or uncertainty, our natural inclination might be to complain, question God's silence, or focus solely on our suffering. However, this verse encourages us to shift our perspective: instead of asking "Why me?" or "Why this?", we should ask "Where is God in this?" and "How can I seek Him amidst this?" It calls us to remember that God, our loving Creator, is not distant but is capable of providing profound peace, unexpected joy, and spiritual strength even in the darkest hours. It encourages a posture of seeking His presence and trusting in His ability to give us "songs in the night," transforming despair into hope and complaint into praise.

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Cross-References

  • Psalms 42:8 (7 votes)

    [Yet] the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song [shall be] with me, [and] my prayer unto the God of my life.

  • Psalms 149:5 (6 votes)

    Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.

  • Acts 16:25 (6 votes)

    ¶ And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.

  • Psalms 77:6 (5 votes)

    I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search.

  • Isaiah 51:13 (4 votes)

    And forgettest the LORD thy maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy? and where [is] the fury of the oppressor?

  • Ecclesiastes 12:1 (3 votes)

    ¶ Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;

  • Job 36:13 (3 votes)

    But the hypocrites in heart heap up wrath: they cry not when he bindeth them.