20He deprives of speech those who are trustedand takes away the discernment of the elders.
Old men (elders) were the leaders in ancient Near Eastern society. When an elder lost his mental clarity (his discernment), his whole community was in danger of ruin. Yet, says Job, such disasters do occur, and who sits behind them if not God?
20 He deprives of speech those who are trusted and takes away the discernment of the elders.