Job – Chapter 37

Old Testament • 24 Verses

Chapter Summary

Job 37 opens with the words: "At this my heart trembleth, and is moved out of its place." Job stands at the center of this chapter. Across its 24 verses, two threads run through the text: justice and care for the poor and wisdom for daily living. Read slowly, this chapter rewards the kind of prayerful attention the Church calls lectio divina.

1At this my heart trembleth, and is moved out of its place.

2Hear ye attentively the terror of his voice, and the sound that cometh out of his mouth.

3He beholdeth under all the heavens, and his light is upon the ends of the earth.

4After it a noise shall roar, he shall thunder with the voice of his majesty, and shall not be found out, when his voice shall be heard.

5God shall thunder wonderfully with his voice, he that doth great and unsearchable things.

6He commandeth the snow to go down upon the earth, and the winter rain, and the shower of his strength.

7He sealeth up the hand of all men, that every one may know his works.

8Then the beast shall go into his covert, and shall abide in his den.

9Out of the inner parts shall a tempest come, and cold out of the north.

10When God bloweth there cometh frost, and again the waters are poured out abundantly.

11Corn desireth clouds, and the clouds spread their light:

12Which go round about, whithersoever the will of him that governeth them shall lead them, to whatsoever he shall command them upon the face of the whole earth:

13Whether in one tribe, or in his own land, or in what place soever of his mercy he shall command them to be found.

14Hearken to these things, Job: Stand, and consider the wondrous works of God.

15Dost thou know when God commanded the rains, to shew his light of his clouds?

16Knowest thou the great paths of the clouds, and the perfect knowledges?

17Are not thy garments hot, when the south wind blows upon the earth?

18Thou perhaps hast made the heavens with him, which are most strong, as if they were of molten brass.

19Shew us what we may say to him: or we are wrapped up in darkness.

20Who shall tell him the things I speak? even if a man shall speak, he shall be swallowed up.

21But now they see not the light: the air on a sudden shall be thickened into clouds, and the wind shall pass and drive them away.

22Cold cometh out of the north, and to God praise with fear.

23We cannot find him worthily: he is great in strength, and in judgment, and in justice, and he is ineffable.

24Therefore men shall fear him, and all that seem to themselves to be wise, shall not dare to behold him.

Important Verses in Job 37

“At this my heart trembleth, and is moved out of its place.”

Job 37:1

“God shall thunder wonderfully with his voice, he that doth great and unsearchable things.”

Job 37:5

“When God bloweth there cometh frost, and again the waters are poured out abundantly.”

Job 37:10

“Dost thou know when God commanded the rains, to shew his light of his clouds?”

Job 37:15

Historical Context

As a Old Testament book, Job was written with all who wrestle with the mystery of suffering and God's justice in view. Chapter 37 of 42 moves toward the climax of the book as earlier promises and conflicts converge. It is a wisdom instruction on how to live before God in ordinary circumstances with 24 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Historical attention falls on Job, the principal figures named in this chapter. It opens with the line: "At this my heart trembleth, and is moved out of its place." It concludes: "Therefore men shall fear him, and all that seem to themselves to be wise, shall not dare to behold him. " Read against its original backdrop, Job confronts the deepest human question: why do the innocent suffer? The book's material reflects the era summarized as follows: Uncertain; commonly dated between the 7th and 4th centuries BC.

Who Wrote It

Unknown inspired poet of Israel

When It Was Written

Uncertain; commonly dated between the 7th and 4th centuries BC

Catholic Commentary

The sage addresses concrete situations—speech, work, relationships, and fear of the Lord. A pivotal line is verse 1: "At this my heart trembleth, and is moved out of its place." The passage repeatedly touches on justice and care for the poor.

Catholic exegesis reads Job 37 within the unity of Scripture and Tradition. the Church sees Job as prefiguring Christ in innocent suffering (CIC 1502). St. Cyril of Alexandria and other Fathers of the Church saw in texts like this a preparation for or reflection of Christ, the center of revelation (CIC 1362).

Applied to the life of faith, the passage supports the Church's conviction that God's ways transcend human understanding. Whether read privately or heard in the liturgy, Job 37 calls for a response of faith, repentance, and charity.

Main Teachings

  • ✓God defends the poor and the oppressed, and calls His people to act with justice.
  • ✓True wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord and is a gift of the Holy Spirit.
  • ✓God's mercy is greater than any sin; He calls us to receive His forgiveness and extend it to others.

People in This Chapter

Job1 mention

Reflection for Today

Job Chapter 37, containing 24 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation, offers a distinct passage for prayer and meditation.

The Magisterium teaches that every biblical passage must be read in light of Christ, the center of Scripture (CIC 355). Here the emphasis falls on hope in the resurrection, which shapes how the Church understands suffering, faith, and divine mystery.

If this passage raises questions, seek the Church's teaching through the Catechism, a faithful priest, or sound Catholic commentaries. Private interpretation must remain in harmony with the Magisterium (CIC 618).

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Job Chapter 37 about?

Job 37 contains 24 verses. It opens with "At this my heart trembleth, and is moved out of its place." and closes with "Therefore men shall fear him, and all that seem to themselves to be wise, shall not dare to behold him. ". The book as a whole is wisdom literature in poetic dialogue.

What is a key verse in Job 37?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "At this my heart trembleth, and is moved out of its place." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Job Chapter 37?

This chapter mentions Job.

Who wrote Job and when?

Unknown inspired poet of Israel. Uncertain; commonly dated between the 7th and 4th centuries BC.

Related Chapters

Tobit 2Shares people and themes with this chapterEzekiel 14Shares people and themes with this chapterJames 5Shares people and themes with this chapter

Prayers Related to This Chapter

🙏Prayer for the Poor🙏Prayer for the World🙏Prayer to the Holy Spirit🙏Prayer to St. Thomas Aquinas

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