_A.M. 3027. B.C. 977._ An exhortation to remember God in youth, enforced from the calamities of old age, and the change which death will make, Ecclesiastes 12:1. The conclusion, all is vanity, Ecclesiastes 12:8. The preacher's end in this book, Ecclesiastes 12:9. The sum of all, to fear God and kee... [ Continue Reading ]
_Remember_ Namely, practically, so as to fear, love, and faithfully serve him, which, when men do not, they are said to forget him: _thy Creator_ The first author and continual preserver of thy life and being, and of all the endowments and enjoyments which accompany it; to whom thou art under the hi... [ Continue Reading ]
_While the sun, or the light_, &c. Hebrews _While the sun, and the light, and the moon_, &c. That clause, _and the light_, seems to be added to signify, that he speaks of the darkening of the sun, and moon, and stars, not in themselves, but only in respect of that light which they afford to men. And... [ Continue Reading ]
_When the keepers of the house_ The body, which is often and fitly compared to a house; whose keepers are the hands and arms, which are man's best instruments to defend his body from the assaults of men or beasts, and which, in a special manner, are subject to this trembling. _And the strong men sha... [ Continue Reading ]
_And the doors be shut in the streets_ Or _toward the streets:_ which lead into the street. This may be understood, either of the outward senses, which, as doors, let in outward objects to the soul; or, rather, of the mouth, or the two lips, here expressed by a word of the dual number, which, like a... [ Continue Reading ]
_When they shall be afraid_, &c. The passion of fear is observed to be most incident to old men, of which divers reasons may be given. _Of that which is high_ Of high things, lest they should fall upon them; or of high places, as of going up hills or stairs, which is very irksome to them, because of... [ Continue Reading ]
_Or ever the silver cord be loosed_ By _the silver cord_ he seems to understand the spinal marrow, which comes from the brain, and goes down to the lowest end of the back-bone. And this is aptly compared to a _cord_, both for its figure, which is long and round, and for its use, which is to draw and... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then shall the dust_ The body, called _dust_, both on account of its original, which was from the dust, and to signify its vile and corruptible nature. _As it was_ Whence it was first taken. He alludes to Genesis 3:19. _And the spirit_ The soul of man, so called, because of its spiritual or immater... [ Continue Reading ]
_Vanity of vanities_ This sentence, wherewith he began this book, he here repeats in the end of it, as that which he had proved in all the foregoing discourse, and that which naturally followed from both the branches of the assertion laid down, Ecclesiastes 12:7.... [ Continue Reading ]
_He still taught the people knowledge_ As God gave him this wisdom, that he might be a teacher of others, so he used it to that end. _Gave heed_ He did not utter whatever came into his mind, but seriously pondered both his matter and his words. Therefore despise not his counsel. _The preacher sought... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let us hear the conclusion_, &c. The sum of all that hath been said or written by wise men. _Fear God_ Which is put here for all the inward worship of God, reverence, and love, and trust, and a devotedness of heart to serve and please him; _and keep his commandments_ This is properly added, as a ne... [ Continue Reading ]