An exposition with practical observations continued upon the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh chapters…

But the word is often taken in a contrary sense, as we translate, for constancy or confidence, and sometimes for hope; and thus Job 31. 24. If I have said to gold, thou art my hope, or my confidence; and Chap. 8. 14. speaking of the Hypocrite, whose hope shall be cut off, the same word is used; and Prov. 3. 26. The Lord shall be thy confidence, and he shall keep thy foot from being taken; and (not to heap many places) Psal. 78. 7. That they may set their hope in God. In this sense it is generally understood here, Is not this thy fear and thy confidence, sc. all the trust thou hast placed in thy God.

But the word is often taken in a contrary sense, as we translate, for constancy or confidence, and sometimes for hope; and thus Job 31. 24. If I have said to gold, thou art my hope, or my confidence; and Chap. 8. 14. speaking of the Hypocrite, whose hope shall be cut off, the same word is used; and Prov. 3. 26. The Lord shall be thy confidence, and he shall keep thy foot from being taken; and (not to heape many places) Psal. 78. 7. That they may set their hope in God. In this sense it is generally understood here, Is not this thy fear and thy confidence, sc. all the trust thou hast placed in thy God.

Fear and confidence are acts of natural worship. Confidence or Trust is the resting of the soul upon another, here the resting of the soul upon the Word, or promises of God, upon the power, faithfulness, and truth of God: an act thus put forth by the soul, is confidence. Now saith Eliphaz, is not this thy confidence? thou hast spoken much of resting and trusting upon God and his Word, upon his power and faithfulness; is not this that which thou hast all this while talked of? See what a goodly confidence it is! Doth it look like a proper piece of grace?