Ecclesiastes 5:20

“For he shall not much remember the days of his life, etc.] Be they more or fewer, as Jarchi: he will not think life long and tedious; nor dwell upon, and distress himself with, the troubles he has met with, or is likely to meet with; but, being content with the good things God has given him, and freely and cheerfully enjoying them, he passes away his time delightfully and pleasantly. Some, as Aben Ezra observes, and which he approves of, and is agreeably to the accents, render the words, “if he [has] not much, he remembers the days of his life”f142; if he has but little of the good things of this life, he remembers how few his days are he has to live; and doubts not he shall have enough to…”

“He will not remember much, looking back with disappointment, as the ungodly do (Ecc 2:11), 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," &c. (tries him by prosperity), so Margin, but English Version is simplest. Next: Ecclesiastes Chapter 6”

“The days will pass smoothly and pleasantly, while he lives in the consciousness of God’s favor. Answereth him - i. e., grants his prayers. return to 'Top of Page' Footnotes: Copyright Statement These files are public domain. Bibliographical Information Barnes, Albert. "Commentary on Ecclesiastes 5". "Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/bnb/ecclesiastes-5.html. 1870. StudyLight.org © 2001-2026 Powered by Lightspeed Technology”

“Remember - So as to disquiet himself. The days - The troubles; days being put here for evil, or, sad days. Answereth - His desires, in giving him solid joy and comfort. Next: Ecclesiastes Chapter 6”

“For he shall not much remember: or, Though he give not much, yet he rembemereth, etc. Psa 37:16 because: Deu 28:8-12, Deu 28:47; Psa 4:6, Psa 4:7; Isa 64:5, Isa 65:13, Isa 65:14, Isa 65:21-24; Rom 5:1, Rom 5:5-11 Next: Ecclesiastes Chapter 6”

“Over this enjoyment he forgets the frailty and the darkened side of this life. It proves itself to be a gift of God, a gift from above: "For he doth not (then) think much of the days of his life; because God answereth the joy of his heart." Such an one, permitted by God to enjoy this happiness of life, is thereby prevented from tormenting himself by reflections regarding its transitoriness. Incorrectly, Hengst.: Remembrance and enjoyment of this life do not indeed last long, according to Ewald, who now, however, rightly explains: He will not, by constant reflection on the brevity of his life, too much embitter this enjoyment; because God, indeed, grants to him true heart-joy as the fairest…”