He does not withdraw his eyes from the righteous means that God “keeps his eyes on, watches with care, protects” the righteous. Dhorme makes a slight change in the Hebrew to get “He does not take away the right of the righteous.” New English Bible and New Jerusalem Bible connect this line to verse 6. Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation follow Pope by taking verse 7 as a unit. It is probably to be understood as an exaltation of the poor, as in Psalm 113.7-8. The righteous refers to “those who are faithful to God,” “those who trust in God.” The line may also be expressed “He watches over the righteous to take care of them,” “He takes care of those who put their trust in him,” or “God protects those who obey him.”

But with kings upon the throne: the word translated with can also be taken as the sign of the direct object in Hebrew, and so New Jerusalem Bible has “when he raises kings to thrones.” New English Bible has “Look at kings on their thrones,” and then goes on to treat verses 8-12 as a description of what happens to kings. However, it seems more likely, as in Good News Translation, that these verses deal with two types of people: the righteous, exalted in verse 7, and those who fall into the sin of pride in verses 8-12. The latter view has the advantage of avoiding a break in the middle of verse 7, in which Elihu would have to change the subject.

But with kings is best understood as a comparison, in which he sets them in the next line describes what God does to the poor or “afflicted” of verse 6. That is, “He sets them on thrones like kings,” or as Good News Translation says, “He allows them to rule like kings.” For ever modifies the verb sets, as in Revised Standard Version.

And they are exalted is supported by Pope, and by Good News Translation “honored.” Hebrew Old Testament Text Project gives a detailed discussion of the two possible senses of the Hebrew, “they are exalted,” and “they become proud.” This discussion does not allow for verses 8-12 to refer to the kings. On the whole Good News Translation and Revised Standard Version are to be recommended. The two final lines of the verse may need to be transposed in translation; for example “he honors them and treats them forever like kings on their thrones” or “he shows them honor by making them rule like kings forever.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, Wiliam. A Handbook on Job. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1992. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .