Matthew Henry Commentary Ecclesiastes 9:4-10

"For to him that is joined with all the living there is hope; for a living dog is better than a dead lion. For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not anything, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. As well their love, as their hatred and their envy, is perished long ago; neither have they any more a portion for ever in anything that is done under the sun. Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God hath already accepted thy works. Let thy garments be always white; and let not thy head lack oil. Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of thy life of vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all thy days of vanity: for that is thy portion in life, and in thy labor wherein thou laborest under the sun. Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do [it] with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in Sheol, whither thou goest." — Ecclesiastes 9:4-10 (ASV)

The state of the most despicable living man is preferable to that of the most noble who have died impenitent. Solomon exhorts the wise and pious to cheerful confidence in God, whatever their condition in life.

The humblest morsel, coming from their Father's love in answer to prayer, will have a special relish. We are not to set our hearts on the delights of sense; rather, we are to use with wisdom what God has given us. The joy described here is the gladness of heart that springs from a sense of divine favor.

This is the world of service; the world to come is the world of recompense. All in their stations may find some work to do. And above all, sinners have the salvation of their souls to seek after, believers have to prove their faith, adorn the gospel, glorify God, and serve their generation.

Ecclesiastes 9:11–12 Men's success seldom equals their expectations. We must use means, but not trust in them: if we succeed, we must give God the praise; if thwarted, we must submit to His will. Those who postpone the great concerns of their souls are caught in Satan's net, which he baits with some worldly object, for which they reject or neglect the gospel, and continue in sin until they suddenly fall into destruction.