If I speak of strength, lo, he is strong: and if of judgment, who shall set me a time to plead?
If I speak of strength, lo he is strong: and if of judgment, who shall set me a time to plead? It is impossible but that Job must be deterred from the thought of a judicial controversy with God, seeing that God, whether the question be concerning might or right, is always superior in power. 'If (the question be) as to the strength of the strong, lo, (saith God, Here I am, What is thy controversy with me?): and if (the question be) as to judgment (justice or right), (He saith), Who shall set me a time to plead.' God herein declares as well that He is ready to meet any adversary who challenges Him to a conflict, as also that none is His superior in power so as to be able to summon Him to a judicial trial (Maurer). God's divine might and sovereignty puts it out of the question for mortal to argue the question of right with Him, in respect to His dealings. The English version seems to me to suit the parallelism better, with this slight change of the inserted words in Italics: 'If the question be one of strength, lo saith God, I am strong: and if it be of judgment, Who, saith God, shall set me a time to plead?' (so "Who is like me? and who will appoint me the time? and who is that shepherd that will stand before me?" Jeremiah 49:19). The last words certainly apply better to God than to Job. "Me," in the English version, applies to Job. The "lo," expresses God's swift readiness for battle when challenged.