Albert Barnes Commentary Ecclesiastes 9:4

"For to him that is joined with all the living there is hope; for a living dog is better than a dead lion." — Ecclesiastes 9:4 (ASV)

For to him - Rather: “Yet to him.” Notwithstanding evils, life has its advantage, and especially when compared with death.

Dog - To the Hebrews a type of all that was contemptible (1 Samuel 17:43).