John Trapp on Job 29:5

Verſe 5. When the Almighty was yet with me] To proſper me, and give me all that heart could wiſh, or need require. But if that be not done, Exod. 17.7. Gods people are apt to think him abſent. Is the Lord amongſt us? ſay they in the wilderneſs: as if that could not be, and they athirſt. So Gideon in the invaſion of the Midianites; The Lord. ſaith the Angel, is with thee, thou valiant man. But Gideon ſaid unto him, Oh my Lord, if the Lord be with us, why then is all this befaln us? If it be ſo, Judg. 6.12, 13. Aug. why am I thus? as ſhe ſaid, Gen. 25.22. Si amatur, quomodo infirmatur? If Lazarus be Chriſts friend. why is he ſick? But theſe two may very well ſtand together: and God is never nearer to his Children then when they for crying cannot ſee him. Moſes ſpeaks of the goodwil of him that dwelt in the buſh, the burning buſh, Deut. 33. but not conſumed. God is with his in the fiery tryal, Iſa. 43.2. as he was with the three Children, and with the Martyrs.

When my children were about me] Round about my table, Pſalm 128.3. Morigerous and obſequious unto me: When my children and ſervants (for the word ſignifieth both) were about me; as Circles about a Point or Center, all looking at, and obſerving me, to do as I directed them.