Daily Devotional

7 Therefore go thou, just man, and eat thy bread in gladness, and drink thy wine with joy; for thy works please God. 8 In each time thy clothes be white, and oil fail not from thine head.

The Book of Ecclesiastes Chapter 9:7-8

Brethren:

This verse is an inference. If death be such, then life is of the nature of a holiday. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. The sentiment is not exactly Epicurean, (let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we die,) but, “Our living to-day is proof of God’s merciful favour, and that he is pleased, not angry, with us.” Therefore let us enjoy the bread and wine, the good which he gives, with grateful and joyous temper. White garments, grateful in hot countries, are associated with festivities and triumphs, and are the customary holiday garb. So, also, perfumes were gladdening and demonstrative of gladness. Although Koheleth is by no means now looking at life from a Christian and religious, but only from a moral and practical, point, yet his counsel coincides with that of the psalmist: “Serve the Lord with gladness;” and with that of the apostle, “Rejoice evermore.” Joyfulness of heart is a religious and Christian precept.

Daniel Whedon - 19^th Century Theologian

Daily Devotional

5 For they that live know that they shall die; but dead men know nothing more, neither have meed further; for their mind is given to forgetting. 6 Also their love, and hatred, and envy, have perished altogether; and they have no part in this world, and in the work that is done under the sun.
The Book of Ecclesiastes Chapter 9:5-6

Brethren:

For the living know that they shall die, the consciousness of their inevitable fate gives them at least so much superiority over the dead; but the dead know not anything, neither have they any more a reward, their fate is decided for the present, they are beyond reward; for the memory of them is forgotten, in most cases their very name becoming a hollow, meaningless mound in a few years. Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, all the sentiments which actuated them in life, is now perished, the activities connected with these attributes have ceased; neither have they any more a portion forever in anything that is done under the sun, their bodies are in the grave, and all communication with the world of the living has ceased.

Paul Edward Kretzmann - 19^th Century Theologian

Daily Devotional

3 This thing is the worst among all things, that be done under the sun, that the same thing befall to all people; yea, the hearts of the sons and daughters of men be filled with malice and despising during their lives; and then after these things, they go down to Sheol. 4 But for everyone who liveth, there is still hope; yea, a living dog is better than a dead lion.

The Book of Ecclesiastes Chapter 9:3-4

Brethren:

Verse 3
This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is one event to all: yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead. In outward things, as riches and poverty, sickness and health, there is no difference between the godly and the wicked but the difference is that the godly are assured by faith of God's favour and assistance.

Geneva Bible Study Notes – Ed. 1560

Verse 4

While a man lives he hopes to amend, and he hopes to have a better lot; and thus life is spent, hoping to grow better, and hoping to get more. The Vulgate has, "There is none that shall live always, nor has any hope of such a thing." Perhaps the best translation is the following: "What, therefore, is to be chosen? In him that is living there is hope." Then choose that eternal life which thou hopest to possess.

Adam Clarke – Theologian

Daily Devotional

2 But all things be kept uncertain into the time to coming; for all things befall evenly to a just man and to a wicked man, to a good man and to an evil man, to a clean man and to an unclean man, to a man offering offerings and sacrifices, and to a man despising sacrifices; as a good man, so and a sinner; as a forsworn man, so and he that greatly sweareth truth The Book of Ecclesiastes Chapter 9:2

Brethren:

We are all sinners. The differences is between those that have accepted God's plan for redemption and those that have not. He pours down all things upon us; rich or poor, good or evil, godly and ungodly. The joys and sorrows of providence falls upon all of us. It is what we do with them that matters to Him.

Daily Devotional

1 I treated all these things in mine heart, to understand diligently. Just men, and wise men there be, and their works be in the hand of God; and nevertheless a man knoweth not, whether he is worthy of love or of hate.

The Book of Ecclesiastes 9:1

Brethren:

All events which befall them are governed by his providence, and therefore although we cannot fully understand the reasons of all, yet we may be assured they are done righteously. No man can judge by their present outward condition, whether God loves or hates them; for whom he loves he chastens, and permits those whom he hates to prosper in the world.

John Wesley – Theologian

Daily Devotional

17 And I understood, that of all the works of God, a man may find no reason of those things, that be done under the sun; and inasmuch as he travails more to seek, by so much, he shall find less; yea, though a wise man say that he knoweth, he shall not be able to find it.

The Book of Ecclesiastes Chapter 8:17

Brethren:

Not of creation, but of Providence; took notice of it, contemplated on it, considered it, and weighed it well; viewed the various steps and methods of it, to find out, if possible, at least, some general rule by which it proceeded: but all so various and uncertain, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun; he can find out that it is done, but not the reason why it is done: the ways of God are in the deep, and not to be traced; they are unsearchable and past finding out; there is a depth of wisdom and knowledge, in them, inscrutable by the wisest of men, ( Psalms 72:19 ) ( Romans 11:33 ) ; because, though a man labour to seek out, yet he shall not find it

Noldius and others render it "although"; not only a man that, in a slight and negligent manner, seeks after the knowledge of the works of divine Providence, and the reasons of them; but even one that is diligent and laborious at it is not able to find them out; they being purposely concealed by the Lord, to answer some ends of his; yea, further, though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not
be able to find it.


A man of a great natural capacity, such an one as Solomon himself, though he proposes to himself, and determines within himself to find it out, and sets himself to the work, and uses all the means and methods he can devise, and imagines with himself he shall be able to find out the reasons of the divine procedure, in his dispensations towards the righteous and the wicked; and yet, after all, he is not able to do it. Wherefore it is best for a man to be easy and quiet, and enjoy what he has in the best manner he can, and submit to the will of God. - John Gill 18^th Century Theologian

Daily Devotional

12 Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and God prolongeth his days, yet I know that it shall be well with them that fear the Lord, and do reverence before him. 13 But it shall not be well to the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days: he shall be like a shadow, because he feareth not before God

Ecclesiastes 8:12-13

Brethren:

Friends, we are covered by grace given unto us by God our creator. All we need do is accept His offer of mercy and redemption by accepting the sacrifice of His Son Christ Jesus. (Read Mark 8:38) Then we must strive to be holy, as He is holy. Sanctified because He has set us apart from the wicked. (Read Leviticus 19:2, 20:7, 26; 1 Peter 15-17). We are now a royal priesthood (Read 1 Peter 2:9) made in the of order of Melchizedek (Read Psalm 110:4; Hebrews 7:17)

Daily Devotional

10 And likewise I saw the wicked buried, and they returned, and they that came from the holy place, were yet forgotten in the city, where they had done right: this also is vanity. 11 Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the children of men is fully set in them to do evil - Ecclesiastes 8:10-11

Brethren:

That is, others as wicked as they. They that feared God and worshiped him according as he had appointed. Where justice is delayed, there sin reigns - Official study notes from the Geneva Translation – Ed. 1599

Daily Devotional

9 All this have I seen, and have given mine heart to every work which is wrought under the sun, and I saw a time that man ruleth over man to his own hurt.

Brethren:

All these things before mentioned; and applied my heart unto every work: I have been a diligent observer of all actions and events. There are some kings, who use their power tyrannically, whereby they not only oppress their people, but hurt themselves, bringing the vengeance of God upon their own heads. In like manner; the wicked princes or rulers, buried, with state or pomp; who had come and gone Had administered public justice, which is frequently signified by the phrase of coming in and going out before the people; from the place of the holy. The seat of majesty and judgment, which may well be termed, the place, or seat, of the holy, that is, of God, often called the holy one; who is in a special manner present in, and presides over those places where justice is administered: and for whom, and in whose name and stead, magistrates act, who, therefore, are called gods. And the tribunal seems to be so called here, to aggravate their sin, who, being advanced by God into so high and sacred a place, betrayed so great a trust, and both practiced and encouraged that wickedness which, by their office, they were obliged to suppress and punish. And they were forgotten. Although they designed to perpetuate their names and memories to succeeding ages; in the city where they had so done. Where they had lived in great splendor, and were buried with great magnificence, which one might have thought would have kept up their remembrance, at least, in that place. This is also vanity, that men should so earnestly thirst after, and please themselves with worldly glory, which is so soon extinct, and the very memory of which is so quickly worn out of the minds of men.

Joseph Benson - 18^th century theologian

Daily Devotional

6 For to every purpose there is a time and judgment, because the misery of man is great upon him. 7 For he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can tell him when it shall be? 8 Man is not Lord over the spirit to retain the spirit: neither hath he power in the day of death, nor deliverance in the battle, neither shall wickedness deliver the possessors thereof.
The Book of Ecclesiastes Chapter 8:6-8

Brethren:

Man of himself is [a] miserable creature, and therefore ought to do nothing to increase the same, but to work all things by wisdom and counsel. Man [likewise] hath no power to save his own life, and therefore must not rashly cast himself into danger.

Daily Devotional

4 Where the word of the King is, there is power, and who shall say unto him, What doest thou?

5 He that keepeth the commandment, shall know none evil thing, and the heart of the wise shall know the time, and judgment

Brethren:

That is, when time is to obey, and how far he should obey. Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing. Either the commandment of an earthly king, which should be kept, when agreeably to the laws of the nation, and not inconsistent with the commands of God; and such as do observe it "know no evil" ^F1, as it may be rendered, or no sorrow; they live peaceably and quietly, and enjoy the favour and protection of the government under which they are, and have praise of men; or the commandments of the heavenly King, the singular being put for the plural; so the Targum,

``whoso keepeth the commandments of the Lord shall know no evil in the world to come.''

Nor in this world neither; no evil befalls them; what may be thought to be so is for their good; though they know and are conscious of the evil of sin, and commit it, yet not willingly, and with love to it, and so as to make it the work of their lives; but lament it, repent of it, and forsake it, and do not feel the evil of punishment for it; yea, such enjoy much good; have much communion with God; large discoveries of his love; dwell in him, and shall at last dwell with him in the heavenly city; and a wise man's heart discerneth both time and judgment; he knows not only what is his duty to do, both with respect to God and men, to a temporal prince or the King eternal; but he knows also the most fit and convenient time of doing it; and lays hold on every opportunity that offers, and which may be called "redeeming; and he knows the right manner in which it should be performed, with all the agreeable circumstances of it, which he carefully observes; or he knows the judgment that will be passed, or the punishment that will be inflicted on delinquents, either by God or men; and therefore is careful to keep the commandment, and avoid it: and especially he remembers there is a judgment to come, when everything will be brought to an account; and, though he does not know the precise day and hour, yet he knows there will be such a time; so some render it, "the time of judgment" the Targum is,

``and the time of prayer, and of judgment, and of truth, is known by the heart of the wise.''

John Gill 18^th Century Theologian

Daily Devotional

2 I keep the mouth of the king, and the commandments and [the] swearings of God. 3 Haste thou not to go away from his face, and dwell thou not in evil work. For he shall do all thing, that he will.

The Book of Ecclesiastes Chapter 8:2-3

Brethren:

Since kings can be capricious and unpredictable, subjects must exercise discretion, even expediency. “With the dangerous caprices of a king to reckon with, wisdom has to fold its wings and take the form of discretion, content to keep its possessor out of trouble”. Such a call may be seen as unworthy of the Bible unless it is balanced by the rest of Scripture where principles and examples of courage and integrity in government are given. Not only are a people limited by royal power, but they are also helpless in the presence of the wind, death, war, and evil. Unable to control these phenomena, they turn to lording it over other humans, and the result often is injustice.

Ashbury Bible Commentary

Daily Devotional

1 Who is such as a wise man? and who knoweth the solving, either expounding, of a word? The wisdom of a man shineth in his cheer; and the mightiest shall change his face

The Book of Ecclesiastes 8:1

Brethren:

There are few wise men in this world. How few understand the reasons of things, and can rightly expound the word and works of God! Makes a man venerable, cheerful, mild, and amiable. The face is put for the mind, because the mind discovers itself in the countenance. The boldness of his face. The roughness or fierceness of it, shall be changed, into gentleness and humility. 

Joseph Benson 18^th century theologian

Daily Devotional

29 I found this only, that God made a man rightful; and then he meddled himself with questions without number. - Ecclesiastes 7:29

Brethren:

The first man Adam, as the Targum and Jarchi interpret it; and not Adam only, but Eve also with him; for these were both made by the Lord, and on the same day, and in the same image, and had the same common name of Adam given them, (Read Genesis 1:27, 5:2 ) ; And they were both made "upright"; which is to be understood, not of the erectness of their bodies, but of the disposition of their minds; they were

``right and innocent before him,''

or in the sight of God, as the Targum; which is best explained by their being made in the image and likeness of God, (Read Genesis 1:26 Genesis 1:27 ) ; and which, according to the apostle, lay in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness, (Read Ephesians 4:24, Colossians 2:3 ) ; agreeably to which Plato make likeness to God to be righteous and holy, with prudence: for this likeness of Adam and Eve to God; lay not in the shape of their bodies, for God is a spirit, and not a corporeal being, as the Anthropomorphites imagined, and so fancied men to be made like unto him in this respect; but in their souls, and it consisted of knowledge; of the knowledge of the creatures, their nature, use, and ends for which they were made, and put under their government; and of God, and his perfections, as made known in the creatures; and of his mind and will, and manner of worshiping him, he revealed unto them; and they might know the trinity of Persons in the Godhead, who were concerned in the making of them, though they seem not to have known Christ, as Mediator and Saviour, which was not necessary previous to their fall; nor evangelical truths suited to a fallen state: also this image lay in righteousness and true holiness, which was original, natural, and created with them; it was with them as soon as they were; not acquired, but infused; not a habit obtained, but a quality given; and this not supernatural, but natural; it was perfect in its kind, and entirely agreeable to the holy, just, and good law of God; it had no defects in it, yet was but the righteousness of a creature, and loseable, as the event showed; and so very different from the righteousness of Christ, man is justified by. Likewise, this uprightness is no other than the rectitude of human nature, of all the powers and faculties of the soul of man, as they were when he was created; his understanding clear of all errors and mistakes, either about divine or human things; his affections regular and ordinate, no unruly passion in him, no sinful affection, lust, and desire; he loved God with all his heart and soul, and delighted in him, and communion with him; the bias of his will was to that which is good; the law of God was written on his heart, and he had both power and will to keep it; and, during his state of integrity, was pure and sinless; yet he was not impeccable, as the confirmed angels and glorified saints are; nor immutable, as God only is; but being a creature, and changeable, he was liable to temptation, and subject to fall, as he did. Now Solomon, with all his diligent search and scrutiny, could not find out the infinity of sin, the boundless extent of it among mankind, the exceeding sinfulness of it, which he sought after, (Read Ecclesiastes 7:25 ) ; yet this he "found" out, and this "only", the fountain of all sin, the origin of moral evil; namely, the corruption of human nature through the fall of Adam: this he found by reading the Scriptures, the three first chapters of Genesis; and by consulting human nature he found some remains of the image of God, and of the law that was in man's heart; whereby he perceived that man was once another man than he is now; and that this corruption is not owing to God, who is not the author of any thing sinful, he made man upright; but to himself, his own sin and folly: and this he found confirmed by sad experience; in himself and others, and by observing the history of all ages, from the times of the first man; and as this was notorious, it was worth knowing and observing, and therefore he calls upon others to take notice of it; lo, behold, consider it, as well as what follows; that is, Adam and Eve, not content with their present knowledge and happiness, they sought out new ways and means of being wiser and happier than God made them, or it was his will they should be. "They sought out the inventions of the many", or "great things", or "of the mighty and great ones", as it may be rendered, the eternal Three in One; they sought to be as wise as God himself; or, however, as the great and mighty ones, the angels, who excelled them, as in strength, so in knowledge; see ( Read Genesis 3:5 ); or they sought out thoughts of sin, as Jarchi says it is interpreted in the Midrash. Sins are the inventions of men, and these are many and numerous; they sought to gratify their senses, on which followed innumerable evils; and then they sought for shifts and evasions to excuse themselves; the man shifting it from himself, and throwing the blame upon the woman, and the woman upon the serpent: and so sinning, they lost the knowledge they had; their righteousness and holiness, the rectitude of their nature; the moral freedom of their will to that which is good, and their power to perform it; and they lost the presence of God, and communion with him: and so their posterity are not only inventors of evil things, of sins, but of new ways of happiness; some placing it in riches; others in honours; others in pleasures; and some in natural wisdom and knowledge; and some in their own works of righteousness; the vanity of all which Solomon has before exposed.
John Gill 17th century Theologian

Daily Devotional

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. - The Book of Psalms 23:6

Brethren:

We feel somewhat annoyed at those writers who seem determined to challenge any ancient meaning of the sacred text. There are absolutely no scholars today who have any more learning or any more intelligence than the translators of the KJV, which rendition is here followed by the ASV. Some point out that, the literal Hebrew from which these words are translated actually has, "`For length of days,' referring to prolonged earthly life rather that to life after death." So what? As Dahood, writing in the Anchor Bible, stated it, "The Hebrew words here are actually a synonym for `eternal life.

"Surely goodness and kindness will attend me, all the days of my life;

And I shall dwell in the house of Yahweh for days without end."
Furthermore, as Kidner noted, "The Christian understanding of these words (as in the KJV) does no violence to them." - James Burton Coffman - Theologian - 1905 - 2006

Daily Devotional

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.

The Book of Psalms 23:5

Brethren:

Here the second allegory begins. A magnificent banquet is provided by a most liberal and benevolent host; who has not only the bounty to feed me, but power to protect me; and, though surrounded by enemies, I sit down to this table with confidence, knowing that I shall feast in perfect security. This may refer to the favor God gave the poor captive Israelites in the sight of the Chaldeans who had grievously treated them for seventy years; and whose king, Cyrus, had not only permitted them now to return to their own land, but had also furnished them with every thing requisite for their passage, and for repairing the walls of Jerusalem, and rebuilding the temple of the Lord, where the sacrifices were offered as usual, and the people of God feasted on them.

Perfumed oil was poured on the heads of distinguished guests, when at the feasts of great personages. The woman in the Gospel, who poured the box of ointment of spikenard on the head of our Lord (see Matthew 26:6, Matthew 26:7; Mark 14:8; Luke 7:46;), only acted according to the custom of her own country, which the host, who invited our Lord, had shamefully neglected.

Thou hast not only given me abundance of food, but hast filled my cup with the best wine.

Adam Clarke - Theologian

Daily Devotional

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil;
For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

The Book of Psalms 23:4

Brethren:

True believers, although they dwell safely under the protection of God, are, notwithstanding, exposed to many dangers, or rather they are liable to all the afflictions which befall mankind in common, that they may the better feel how much they need the protection of God. David, therefore, here expressly declares, that if any adversity should befall him, he would lean upon the providence of God. Thus he does not promise himself continual pleasures; but he fortifies himself by the help of God courageously to endure the various calamities with which he might be visited. Pursuing his metaphor, he compares the care which God takes in governing true believers to a shepherd’s staff and crook, declaring that he is satisfied with this as all-sufficient for the protection of his life. As a sheep, when it wanders up and down through a dark valley, is preserved safe from the attacks of wild beasts and from harm in other ways, by the presence of the shepherd alone, so David now declares that as often as he shall be exposed to any danger, he will have sufficient defense and protection in being under the pastoral care of God. - John Calvin - 16^th Century Theologian

Daily Devotional

He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.

The Book of Psalms 23:3

My soul he bringeth, or, will bring back, namely, from its errors or wanderings.

The Tanack – JPS Translation – Ed. 1950

No creature is more ready to go astray than a sheep, or more at a loss to find its way back. And all we like sheep have gone astray, and are still too prone so to do; to leave the right way of truth and duty, and to turn aside into by-paths. But when God shows us our errors, gives us repentance, and brings us back to our duty again, he restores our souls; and if he did not do so, we would wander endlessly and be undone. He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness: In the plain, straight, and safe paths, in which the sheep of the Lord’s pasture are neither hurt, nor wearied, nor in danger of wandering. By his word and his providence he directs me to the right ways of truth and holiness, and by his Spirit he inclines and enables me to choose those ways, and to continue to walk therein; for his name’s sake: Not for any merit in me, but merely for the demonstration and glory of his mercy, faithfulness, and goodness.

Daily Devotional

He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.

The Book of Psalms 23:2

The idea is that of calmness and repose, as suggested by the image of flocks “lying down on the grass.” But this is not the only idea. It is that of flocks that lie down on the grass “fully fed” or “satisfied,” their wants being completely supplied. The exact point of contemplation in the mind of the poet, I apprehend, is that of a flock in young and luxuriant grass, surrounded by abundance, and, having satisfied their wants, lying down amidst this luxuriance with calm contentment. It is not merely a flock enjoying repose; it is a flock whose wants are supplied, lying down in the midst of abundance. Applied to the psalmist himself, or to the people of God generally, the idea is, that the wants of the soul are met and satisfied, and that, in the full enjoyment of this, there is the conviction of abundance - the repose of the soul at present satisfied, and feeling that in such abundance want will always be unknown.

Albert Barnes – Theologian

Psalm 23 - Personal Devotion

Last evening I had a dream and the Lord said to me, Psalm 23 so, I have taken it upon myself to mean that I must present this psalm one verse at a time, along with an explanation.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

The Lord is my Shepherd

This is to be understood not of Jehovah the Father, and of his feeding the people of Israel in the wilderness, as the Targum paraphrases it, though the character of a shepherd is sometimes given to him; but of Jehovah the Son, to whom it is most frequently ascribed. This office he was called and appointed to by his Father, and which through his condescending grace he undertook to execute, and for which he is abundantly qualified; being omniscient, and so knows all his sheep and their maladies, where to find them, what is their case, and what is to be done for them; and being omnipotent, he can do everything proper for them; and having all power in heaven and in earth, can protect, defend, and save them; and all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge being in him, he can guide and direct them in the best manner; wherefore he is called the great shepherd, and the chief shepherd, and the good shepherd. David calls him "my shepherd"; Christ having a right unto him, as he has to all the sheep of God, by virtue of his Father's gift, his own purchase, and the power of his grace; and as owning him as such, and yielding subjection to him, following him as the sheep of Christ do wheresoever he goes; and also as expressing his faith of interest in him, affection for him, and joy because of him: and from thence comfortably concludes; 

I shall not want;
not anything, as the Targum and Aben Ezra interpret it; not any temporal good thing, as none of Christ's sheep do, that he in his wisdom sees proper and convenient for them; nor any spiritual good things, since a fullness of them is in him, out of which all their wants are supplied; they cannot want food, for by him they go in and out and find pasture; in him their bread is given them, where they have enough and to spare, and their waters are sure unto them; nor clothing, for he is the Lord their righteousness, and they are clothed with the robe of his righteousness; nor rest, for he is their resting place, in whom they find rest for their souls, and are by him led to waters of rest: the words may be rendered, "I shall not fail", or "come short"; that is, of eternal glory and happiness; for Christ's sheep are in his hands, out of which none can pluck them, and therefore shall not perish, but have everlasting life - (Read John 10:27-29)