Jenn I absolutely agree. God does come across as a distant figure of sorts. His connection as perceived by the people is not one of loving obedience because deep down in their bones the know who he is and all that he has provided. It is akin to obeying the law and overseer of the law. And thus is how the explain their challenges.
Wisdom text are much more relational as it relates to God and each other. Truly you get a sense that it is because of this deep understanding of God that those major characters mention act in such blind obedience and walk through their pair with crying but with understand and belief .