Matthew Henry Commentary Ecclesiastes 5

Address yourself to the worship of God, and take time to compose yourself for it. Keep your thoughts from roving and wandering; keep your affections from running out toward wrong objects. We should avoid vain repetitions; copious prayers are not condemned here, but those that are meaningless. How often our wandering thoughts render attendance on Divine ordinances little better than the sacrifice of fools! Many words and hasty ones, used in prayer, show folly in the heart, low thoughts of God, and careless thoughts of our own souls.

When a person made vows rashly, he allowed his mouth to cause his flesh to sin. This refers to a case where a man comes to the priest, pretending that his vow was made rashly and that it would be wrong to fulfill it. Such mockery of God would bring divine displeasure, which might blast what was thus improperly retained.

We are to suppress the fear of man. Set God before you; then, if you see the oppression of the poor, you will not find fault with Divine Providence; nor will you think worse of the institution of government when you see its purposes thus perverted, nor of religion when you see it does not protect people from suffering wrong. But though oppressors may be secure, God will call all to account.

The goodness of Providence is more equally distributed than appears to a careless observer. The king needs the common things of life, and the poor share them; they relish their morsel better than he does his luxuries. There are bodily desires which silver itself will not satisfy, much less will worldly abundance satisfy spiritual desires. The more people have, the better house they must keep, the more servants they must employ, the more guests they must entertain, and the more people they will have depending on them.

The sleep of the labourer is sweet, not only because he is tired, but because he has few worries to disturb his sleep. The sleep of the diligent Christian, and his long sleep, are sweet; having spent himself and his time in the service of God, he can cheerfully repose in God as his Rest. But those who have everything else often fail to secure a good night's sleep; their abundance breaks their rest. Riches cause harm and draw away the heart from God and duty. People cause harm with their riches, not only by gratifying their own lusts but also by oppressing others and dealing harshly with them.

They will see that they have laboured for the wind when, at death, they find the profit of their labour is all gone like the wind, and they do not know where. How poorly the covetous worldling bears the calamities of human life! He does not sorrow to repentance but is angry at the providence of God, angry at all about him; which doubles his affliction.

Life is God's gift. We must not view our calling as a drudgery, but take pleasure in the calling where God puts us. A cheerful spirit is a great blessing; it makes employments easy, and afflictions light.

Having made a proper use of riches, a man will remember the days of his past life with pleasure. The manner in which Solomon refers to God as the Giver, both of life and its enjoyments, shows they ought to be received and to be used, consistently with his will, and to his glory.

Let this passage recommend to all the kind words of the merciful Redeemer, "Labour not for the meat that perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life." Christ is the Bread of life, the only food of the soul. All are invited to partake of this heavenly provision.