25 The negative introduces a clause that serves as a negative attribute; literally the following clause says, “and had no helper” (see §152.u).
26 The verb is simply בּוֹא (bo’, “to come; to enter”). With the preposition עַל (’al, “upon”) it could mean “came to me,” or “came upon me,” i.e., descended (see R. Gordis, Job, 320).
27 The verb אַרְנִן (’arnin) is from רָנַן (ranan, “to give a ringing cry”) but here “cause to give a ringing cry,” i.e., shout of joy. The rejoicing envisioned in this word is far greater than what the words “sing” or “rejoice” suggest.
28 Both verbs in this first half-verse are from לָבַשׁ (lavash, “to clothe; to put on clothing”). P. changed the vowels to get a verb “it adorned me” instead of “it clothed me” ( 11 [1930]: 324). The figure of clothing is used for the character of the person: to wear righteousness is to be righteous.
29 The word מִשְׁפָּטִי (mishpati) is simply “my justice” or “my judgment.” It refers to the decisions he made in settling issues, how he dealt with other people justly.
30 The word “father” does not have a wide range of meanings in the OT. But there are places that it is metaphorical, especially in a legal setting like this where the poor need aid.
31 The word rendered “fangs” actually means “teeth,” i.e., the molars probably; it is used frequently of the teeth of wild beasts. Of course, the language is here figurative, comparing the oppressing enemy to a preying animal.
32 “I made [him] drop.” The verb means “to throw; to cast,” throw in the sense of “to throw away.” But in the context with the figure of the beast with prey in its mouth, “drop” or “cast away” is the idea. Driver finds another cognate meaning “rescue” (see 52 [1935/36]: 163).

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

because I delivered the poor who cried for help,

and the fatherless who had none to help him.

The blessing of him who was about to perish came upon me,

and I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy.

I put on righteousness, and it clothed me;

my justice was like a robe and a turban.

I was eyes to the blind

and feet to the lame.

I was a father to the needy,

and I searched out the cause of him whom I did not know.

I broke the fangs of the unrighteous

and made him drop his prey from his teeth.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

because I rescued the poor who cried for help,

and the fatherless who had none to assist them.

The one who was dying blessed me;

I made the widow’s heart sing.

I put on righteousness as my clothing;

justice was my robe and my turban.

I was eyes to the blind

and feet to the lame.

I was a father to the needy;

I took up the case of the stranger.

I broke the fangs of the wicked

and snatched the victims from their teeth.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

For I rescued the poor who cried out for help,

and the fatherless child who had no one to support him.

The dying blessed me,

and I made the widow’s heart rejoice.

I clothed myself in righteousness,

and it enveloped me;

my just decisions were like a robe and a turban.

I was eyes to the blind

and feet to the lame.

I was a father to the needy,

and I examined the case of the stranger.

I shattered the fangs of the unjust

and snatched the prey from his teeth.

NLTNew Living Translation

For I assisted the poor in their need

and the orphans who required help.

I helped those without hope, and they blessed me.

And I caused the widows’ hearts to sing for joy.

Everything I did was honest.

Righteousness covered me like a robe,

and I wore justice like a turban.

I served as eyes for the blind

and feet for the lame.

I was a father to the poor

and assisted strangers who needed help.

I broke the jaws of godless oppressors

and plucked their victims from their teeth.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

because I saved the needy who cried for help,

and I saved the orphan for whom there was no helper.

The blessing of the wretched came upon me,

and I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy.

I put on righteousness, and it clothed me;

my justice was like a robe and a headband.

“I was eyes to the blind,

and I was feet to the lame.

I was a father to the poor,

and I investigated the stranger’s legal dispute.

And I broke the evil one’s jaw bones,

and I made his prey drop from his teeth.

KJV 1900King James Version

Because I delivered the poor that cried,

And the fatherless, and him that had none to help him.

The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me:

And I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy.

I put on righteousness, and it clothed me:

My judgment was as a robe and a diadem.

I was eyes to the blind,

And feet was I to the lame.

I was a father to the poor:

And the cause which I knew not I searched out.

And I brake the jaws of the wicked,

And plucked the spoil out of his teeth.

Public Domain