Matthew Poole and continuators on Job 24:18

18. He is swift as the waters , their portion is cursed in the earth : he beholdeth not the way of the vineyard .

In these words he describes either 1. the wicked man's disposition and deportment, that such persons are light and frothy in their spirits; or swift, or hasty to do evil, or unstable in their ways as the waters, or upon the face of the waters; i. e. like the foam or froath, or any other light thing which swims upon the top of the waters. Or rather 2. his miserable condition of which he manifestly speaks in the next words, and in the two next Verses. For though Iob constantly affirms and maintains it against his Friends, that many ungodly men do prosper and escape punishment in this life, yet withal he observes and asserts, that God will certainly sooner or later punish them, and that he sometimes doth it here, cutting them off by cruel and untimely Deaths, or otherwise inflicting some notable judgment upon them; of which he also speaks, Chap. 21. 17, &c. So the sense is, He is swift, i. e. he quickly passeth away with all his glory, as the waters which never stay in one place, but are always hasting and running away; or like a Ship, or any other thing which swimmeth upon the face of the waters: Though he seems to stand as firm and unmovable as a Rock, and to have taken deep rooting in the earth, yet he is suddenly and unexpectedly removed and pulled up by the roots.

Or, his; for he still speaks of the same person, though with a change of the number, which is most familiar in this Book, and elsewhere in Scripture.

Or, part, i. e. his Habitation and Estate which he left behind him.

Is really accursed by God, and is by all men who live near it, or observe it pronounced accursed, because of the remarkable judgments of God upon it, and upon his Posterity or Family to which he left it, and from whom it is strangely and suddenly alienated.

i. e. He shall never more see or enjoy his Vineyards, or other pleasant places and things, which seem to be comprehended under this particular.

Marginal references: Heb. upon the face of the waters.