Job 7:11 - Exposition

Therefore I will not refrain my mouth ; rather, I moreover, will not refrain my lips ; that is, "You may do as you like under affliction, I claim the right of complaining." Job has already pointed out that nature teaches the animals to complain when they suffer ( Job 6:5 ). Why, then, should not he? Complaint is not necessarily murmuring; it is sometimes merely expostulation, which God allows (comp. Psalms 4:2 ; Psalms 77:3 ; Psalms 142:2 , etc.). I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul. Extreme "anguish" and "bitter" suffering excuse complaints that would otherwise be, blare-able (comp. Job 6:2-4 ).