Charles Ellicott Commentary Ecclesiastes 4:1

"Then I returned and saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and, behold, the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter." — Ecclesiastes 4:1 (ASV)

Having dwelt on the instability of human happiness, the Preacher now turns to contemplate the actual misery of which the world is full.

Oppressions.—Job 35:9; Amos 3:9.

No comforter. — If Solomon were the writer, one asks, What was the king doing? Could he do nothing but express helpless despair?