But none says, ‘Where is God my Maker, who gives songs in the night,
English Standard Version (ESV)
It’s easy to read “who gives songs in the night” as simply meaning God can bring joy during dark times. But the context here implies something more specific: God is the one who authorizes or enables these songs, usually after an unexpected deliverance from affliction, which the sufferers themselves fail to seek Him for. It's a subtle but crucial distinction about who is actually initiating and giving the praise.
But none says, ‘Where is God my Maker, who gives songs in the night,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Elihu is explaining why the oppressed don't seem to receive justice, arguing that they don't truly seek God in their suffering. Instead of calling out to their Creator and asking for deliverance, they remain silent or complain to others. This verse highlights that few cry out, "Where is God my Maker," the one who can turn their darkest times into songs of praise.
When life feels overwhelming and the cries of suffering go unanswered, where does our search for relief lead? Do we even remember the One who made us?
Elihu points out a crucial disconnect in the heart of the oppressed. They cry out due to their suffering, but their cries are directed outward, toward human strength, rather than upward toward God.
A Missing Question
The verse highlights that in their distress, 'none says, “Where is God my Maker?”' This isn't just about forgetting God exists; it’s about forgetting His role as the ultimate source of help and comfort. They don't inquire about the One who has the power to change their circumstances and provide true relief.
The Weight of Creation
To call God 'my Maker' is to acknowledge Him as the sovereign Creator, the one with authority and intimate knowledge of His creation. It implies He is the one who fashioned them, sustains them, and therefore has the capacity and right to intervene.
Even in the darkest hours, a song can emerge. What is the source of this unexpected joy, and how does it relate to our faith?
The verse speaks of God as the one 'who gives songs in the night.' This powerful phrase points to God's ability to bring hope and joy even in the most desolate circumstances.
Turning Sorrow into Song
'The night' here is often understood as a metaphor for times of deep affliction, sorrow, or spiritual darkness. It represents those moments when all seems lost, when despair threatens to overwhelm.
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God's action is to give songs. This isn't something that arises naturally from suffering. It's a divine impartation of comfort, peace, and even rejoicing, transforming a night of tears into a song of praise. This could be through inner strength, a renewed perspective, or the eventual deliverance that leads to thanksgiving.
A Promise of His Presence
Elihu suggests that a failure to seek God as Maker is why such songs are not found. When we forget God, we cut ourselves off from the source of true comfort. Remembering Him, especially in suffering, opens the door for Him to fulfill His promise of giving us a song, even in the darkest night.
Understand the original words
asah · Hebrew Verb/Participle
The divine Creator who brought the universe and human beings into existence; the One who possesses sovereign authority over His creation and maintains a personal relationship with those He made.
This psalm echoes the idea of God sending His steadfast love by day and His song by night, directly linking divine presence to comfort during dark times.
Isaiah 26:9This passage speaks of the soul longing for God 'in the night season,' which is a time of seeking and a precursor to His righteous judgment and deliverance, highlighting the theme of finding God in distress.
Acts 16:25Here, Paul and Silas sing praises to God at midnight while imprisoned, demonstrating a real-life example of finding songs in the night, even amidst severe suffering.
Jeremiah 2:6This verse refers to the people not asking 'Where is the Lord?' when they were led through a 'land of the desert,' connecting the lack of seeking God to times of hardship and wandering.
jfbJob 35:10: "But none saith, Where is God my maker, who giveth songs in the night;"
10-13. But the reason is that the innocent sufferers often do not humbly seek God for succor; so to their "pride" is to be laid the blame of their ruin; also because (Job 35:13-16) they, as Job, instead of waiting God's time in pious trust, are prone to despair of His justice, when it is not immediately visible (Job 33:19-26). If the sufferer would apply to God with a humbled, penitent spirit, He would hear.Where…
ellicottJob 35:10: "But none saith, Where is God my maker, who giveth songs in the night;"
(10) But none saith. —Some render this, “But he who giveth songs in the night saith not, Where is God my Maker,” i.e., the selfish and luxurious oppressor, who spendeth the night in feasting and revelry. This is an intelligible meaning. On the other hand, though the phrase, “who giveth songs in the night,” has become proverbial, and, with the meaning assigned to it, is very beautiful, it may be doubted whether it…
It’s easy to read “who gives songs in the night” as simply meaning God can bring joy during dark times. But the context here implies something more specific: God is the one who authorizes or enables these songs, usually after an unexpected deliverance from affliction, which the sufferers themselves fail to seek Him for. It's a subtle but crucial distinction about who is actually initiating and giving the praise.
Elihu is explaining why the oppressed don't seem to receive justice, arguing that they don't truly seek God in their suffering. Instead of calling out to their Creator and asking for deliverance, they remain silent or complain to others. This verse highlights that few cry out, "Where is God my Maker," the one who can turn their darkest times into songs of praise.
Elihu is explaining why the oppressed don't seem to receive justice, arguing that they don't truly seek God in their suffering. Instead of calling out to their Creator and asking for deliverance, they remain silent or complain to others. This verse highlights that few cry out, "Where is God my Maker," the one who can turn their darkest times into songs of praise.
"But none says, ‘Where is God my Maker, who gives songs in the night," — It’s easy to read “who gives songs in the night” as simply meaning God can bring joy during dark times. But the context here implies something more specific: God is the one who authorizes or *enabl…
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Last reviewed October 2026