Job 34:26

“He striketh them as wicked men, etc.] Such is the strict justice of God, that he never strikes men, or inflicts punishment on them, or brings down his judgments upon them, but as wicked men, and because of their wickedness; the casting of man out of Eden was for his sin, as well as the casting down the angels from heaven that sinned; the drowning of the old world, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, the ruin of Pharaoh and his host, the driving the Canaanites out of their land, the various captivities of the Israelites, with other instances of God’s displeasure with men in this world, and the everlasting punishment of them in another, are only of them as wicked men, and for sin; and…”

“He striketh them--chasteneth. as--that is, because they are wicked. sight of others--Sinners hid themselves in darkness; therefore they are punished before all, in open day. Image from the place of public execution (Job 40:12; Exo 14:30; Sa2 12:12).”

“He striketh them as wicked men - literally, “Under the wicked, or on account of the wicked, he smites them.” That is, he deals with them “as if” they were wicked; he regards and treats them as such. He deals with them “under” the general character of wicked people, and punishes them accordingly. In the open sight of others - Margin, as in Hebrew “in the place of beholders.” The idea is, that it is done openly or publicly. Their sins had been committed in secret, but they are punished openly. The manifestation of the divine displeasure is in the presence of spectators, or is so open and public, that it cannot but be seen. It is very probable that in all this description Elihu had his eye upon…”

“As - Because they are wicked men. In the open light - In publick view for their greater shame, and for the greater glory of his justice. Job 34:28”

“34:26 When God renders justice openly, it leads to proper fear among the wicked (Deut 21:21; 1 Tim 5:20) and to public rejoicing among the righteous (cp. Exod 14:30-31).”

“in: Exo 14:30; Deu 13:9-11, Deu 21:21; Sa2 12:11, Sa2 12:12; Psa 58:10, Psa 58:11; Isa 66:24; Ti1 5:20, Ti1 5:24; Rev 18:9, Rev 18:10, Rev 18:20 open sight of others: Heb. place of beholders Job 34:27”