Ecclesiastes 5:20

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Ecclesiastes 5:20

20. He will not remember much, looking back with disappointment, as the ungodly do ( :-), on the days of his life. answereth . . . in the joy—God answers his prayers in giving him "power" to enjoy his blessings. GESENIUS and Vulgate translate, "For God (so) occupies him with joy," c., that he thinks not much of the shortness and sorrows of life. HOLDEN, "Though God gives not much (as to real enjoyment), yet he remembers (with thankfulness) the days for (he knows) God exercises him by the joy,"... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Ecclesiastes 5:1-20

Disheartening Outlook on Life1-8. Disorders in the religious, in the political world. In the earlier part of this chapter the writer turns from secular to religious matters. H e points out the irreverence which belongs to worship offered without due thought.1. Keep thy foot] cp. Psalms 119:101; Proverbs 1:15. Either be silent, or use thoughtfully framed words of prayer, as contrasted with hasty offerings combined with ungodliness of life.And be more ready to hear] RV ’for to draw nigh to hear... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Ecclesiastes 5:20

(20) “In the enjoyment of God’s gifts he does not think much of the sorrows or brevity of life.” This is the usual explanation; and though not satisfied with it, we cannot suggest a better. read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Ecclesiastes 5:1-20

Ecclesiastes 5:2 To bind myself to diligence in seeking the Lord, and to stir me up thereto, I made a vow to pray so many times a day; how many times I cannot be positive; but it was at least thrice. It was the goodness of God to me, that it was made only for a definite space of time; but I found it so far from being a help, that it was really a hindrance to my devotion, making me more heartless in, and averse to, duty, through the corruption of my nature. I got the pain of it driven out... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 5:1-20

SECOND SECTIONThe Quest Of The Chief Good In Devotion To The Affairs Of BusinessEcclesiastes 3:1 - Ecclesiastes 5:20I. IF the true Good is not to be found in the School where Wisdom utters her voice, nor in the Garden in which Pleasure spreads her lures: may it not be found in the Market, in devotion to Business and Public Affairs? The Preacher will try this experiment also. He gives himself to study and consider it. But at the very outset he discovers that he is in the iron grip of immutable... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 5:18-20

The Conclusion. Ecclesiastes 5:18-20For himself Coheleth has a very decided opinion on this point. He is quite sure that his first conclusion is sound, though for a moment he had questioned its soundness, and that a quiet, cheerful, and obedient heart is greater riches than the wealthiest estate. With all the emphasis of renewed and now immovable conviction he declares, Behold, that which I have said holds good; it is well for a man to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labours... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Ecclesiastes 5:1-20

3. Exhortations on Different Vanities CHAPTER 5 1. Concerning worship and vows (Ecclesiastes 5:1-7 ) 2. Concerning extortions (Ecclesiastes 5:8-9 ) 3. The vanities of wealth (Ecclesiastes 5:10-17 ) 4. The conclusion (Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 ) Ecclesiastes 5:1-7 . The writer, King Solomon, seems to have been exhausted in his descriptions as to the things under the sun. He pauseth and turns to something different. He meditates on worship, that man aims to get in touch with the unseen God.... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Ecclesiastes 5:20

5:20 For he shall not much remember the days of his {p} life; because God answereth [him] in the joy of his heart.(p) He will take no great thought for the pains that he has endured in times past. read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Ecclesiastes 5:1-20

VARIETIES IN WORSHIP (Ecclesiastes 5:1-7 ) On these verses the writer seems to muse on the relation of the unseen Being to the act of man in worship. Mindful of man’s jaunty liberalism and superstition, rash vows and wordy prayers, dreamy and unreal, because full of intruding vanities and worldly businesses, the preacher earnestly exhorts to few words and solemn steps. But even then it is the natural man only who is speaking in the exhortation, not the regenerate man, because he speaks only... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Ecclesiastes 5:1-20

A Call to Reverence Ecclesiastes 5:0 The subject is now changed. Up to this time we have had Coheleth's view of life given with much graphic force and vividness. We have seen his world a mere card-house of a world, well painted and wonderfully gilded, yet cold and full of discontent, with "Vanity of vanities" written in boldest letters over its portals. Now Coheleth turns to a higher theme. Yet, though the subject has changed, there is no change in the main principle. Coheleth is still talking... read more

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