Let darkness and the shadow of death stain it; let a cloud dwell upon it; let the blackness of the day terrify it.
Long was Job's heart hot within him; and, while he was musing, the fire burned, and the more for being stifled and suppressed. At length he spoke with his tongue, but not such a good word as David spoke after a long pause: Lord, make me to know my end, Psa 39:3, Psa 39:4.
Commenting on Job 3:1-10
Let darkness and the shadow of death stain it,.... Let there be such darkness on it as on persons when dying, or in the state of the dead; hence the sorest afflictions, and the state of man in unregeneracy, are compared unto it, Psa 23:4; let there be nothing but foul weather, dirt, and darkness in it, which may make it very uncomfortable and undesirable...
Let . . . the shadow of death--("deepest darkness," Isa 9:2). stain it--This is a later sense of the verb [GESENIUS]; better the old and more poetic idea, "Let darkness (the ancient night of chaotic gloom) resume its rights over light (Gen 1:2), and claim that day as its own." a cloud--collectively, a gathered mass of dark clouds.