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Great travail is created for every man. A heavy yoke is upon the sons of Adam, from the day of their coming forth from their mother’s womb, until the day for their burial in the mother of all things.
Verse 1. Labour, “anxiety,” ασχολια. Menochius.—All misery ( Calmet.) is in consequence of original sin. Worthington.—The life of man is a trial. Job 7:1 and 14:1.—Of all. The earth, ( Calmet.)
The expectation of things to come, and the day of death, trouble their thoughts, and cause fear in their hearts.
From him who sits on a throne of glory, even to him who is humbled in earth and ashes,
from him who wears purple and a crown, even to him who is clothed in burlap,
Verse 4. Purple. Lit. “hyacinth,” ( Bible.) or violet colour. Purple was more like scarlet.
there is wrath, jealousy, trouble, unrest, fear of death, anger, and strife. In the time of rest upon his bed, his night sleep changes his knowledge.
Verse 5. Knowledge. He is disquieted by restless ( Calmet.) and frightful dreams. verse 6. Bible.
He gets little or no rest, and afterward in his sleep, as in a day of keeping watch, he is troubled in the vision of his heart, as one who has escaped from the front of battle.
In the very time of his deliverance, he awakens, and marvels that the fear is nothing.
Verse 7. Fear, or no reason for it. Calmet.
To all creatures, human and animal, and upon sinners sevenfold more,
Verse 8. Beast. Their instinct causes them to fear death, to fight, and so forth
come death, bloodshed, strife, sword, calamities, famine, suffering, and plague.
Verse 9. Moreover. Greek “death,” and so forth are all destined for the wicked.
All these things were created for the wicked, and because of them the flood came.
All things that are of the earth turn to the earth again. All things that are of the waters return into the sea.
All bribery and injustice will be blotted out. Good faith will stand forever.
Verse 12. Out, and severely punished. Calmet.—They shall not appear in the book of life.
The goods of the unjust will be dried up like a river, and like a great thunder in rain will go off in noise.
In opening his hands, a man will be made glad; so lawbreakers will utterly fail.
Verse 14. Rejoice. The corrupt judge once rejoiced: but now he shall mourn. Bible.—The possessions and grandeur of the unjust shall end in a moment, like a clap of thunder. Psalms 36:36. Proverbs 10:25. Calmet.
The children of the ungodly won’t grow many branches, and are as unhealthy roots on a sheer rock.
Verse 15. And make. Greek “they are unclean,” ( Bible.) and will produce no fruit.
The reeds by every water or river bank will be plucked up before all grass.
Verse 16. Weed. Lit. “verdure.” Greek Achei, ( Bible.) properly denotes the rush, papyrus, which grows on the banks of the Nile, (Genesis 41:2. Calmet.) and was used for fuel. Alpin. i. 7. Matthew 6:30.—Thus the wicked will presently ( Calmet.) be treated. Menochius.
Kindness is like a garden of blessings. Almsgiving endures forever.
Verse 17. Grace. The beneficent will produce fruits, like those of paradise. Genesis 2:8.
The life of one who labors and is content will be made sweet. He who finds a treasure is better than both.
Verse 18. That is. Greek “and of one that.”—In it. Greek “and more than both is one discovering a treasure,” ( Bible.) who finds himself rich, without labour or injustice.
Children and the building of a city establish a name. A blameless wife is better than both.
Verse 19. Both. Thus Judith, Zenobia, and so forth ennobled their husbands. Proverbs 31:10.
Wine and music rejoice the heart. The love of wisdom is better than both.
Verse 20. Wisdom. Virtue gives more content to the soul than corporal pleasures do to the body. It brings us near to God. Calmet.
The pipe and the lute make pleasant melody. A pleasant tongue is better than both.
Your eye desires grace and beauty, but the green shoots of grain more than both.
Verse 22. Green. “The sight of no colour is more agreeable to the eyes.” Pliny xxxvii. 1.—The Church is more excellent than the synagogue. Worthington.
A friend and a companion is always welcome, and a wife with her husband is better than both.
Verse 23. Husband. Their union is closer, and they can best assist each other.
Relatives and helpers are for a time of affliction, but almsgiving rescues better than both.
Gold and silver will make the foot stand sure, and counsel is esteemed better than both.
Verse 25. Counsel. By this the Romans conquered the world. 1 Maccabees 8:31. Proverbs 11:14.
Riches and strength will lift up the heart. The fear of the Lord is better than both. There is nothing lacking in the fear of the Lord. In it, there is no need to seek help.
Verse 26. Heart, and make people presumptuous; while piety gives real courage. Psalms 26:1. Calmet.
The fear of the Lord is like a garden of blessing and covers a man more than any glory.
My son, don’t lead a beggar’s life. It is better to die than to beg.
Verse 28. It, or “him.” Bible.—The virtuous man is covered with glory.
A man who looks to the table of another, his life is not to be considered a life. He will pollute his soul with another person’s food, but a wise and well-instructed person will beware of that.
Verse 29. Indigent. Greek “live not by begging,” being too lazy to work, or incurring this punishment for thy sins. Leviticus 26:16. Psalms 108. Deuteronomy 15:4. Involuntary poverty is a most severe scourge. Calmet.—All are bound too labour for what is needful; ( Worthington.) some by prayer, others by trade, and so forth Bible.
Begging will be sweet in the mouth of the shameless, but it kindles a fire in his belly.
Verse 30. Meat. Such is the condition of the parasite, ( Calmet.) and of the beggar. Bible.