Ecclesiastes 5:20

20 They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart.

Ecclesiastes 5:20 in Other Translations

KJV
20 For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth him in the joy of his heart.
ESV
20 For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart.
NLT
20 God keeps such people so busy enjoying life that they take no time to brood over the past.
MSG
20 God deals out joy in the present, the now. It's useless to brood over how long we might live.
CSB
20 for he does not often consider the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with the joy of his heart.

Ecclesiastes 5:20 Meaning and Commentary

Ecclesiastes 5:20

For he shall not much remember the days of his life
Be they more or fewer, as Jarchi: he will not think life long and tedious; nor dwell upon, and distress himself with, the troubles he has met with, or is likely to meet with; but, being content with the good things God has given him, and freely and cheerfully enjoying them, he passes away his time delightfully and pleasantly. Some, as Aben Ezra observes, and which he approves of, and is agreeably to the accents, render the words, "if he [has] not much, he remembers the days of his life" F20; if he has but little of the good things of this life, he remembers how few his days are he has to live; and doubts not he shall have enough to carry him to the end of his days, and therefore is quite easy and content; he calls to mind how he has been supplied all his days hitherto, and is persuaded that that God, who has provided for him, will continue his goodness to him, and that he shall not want any good thing; and therefore does not distress himself with what is to come; because God answereth [him] in the joy of his heart;
he calls upon God for a blessing on his labours, asks of him his daily food, and desires what may be proper and sufficient for him, or what he judges is necessary and convenient; and God answers his prayers and petitions, and good wishes, by filling his heart with food and gladness; and giving him that cheerfulness of spirit, and thankfulness of heart, in the enjoyment of every blessing; and especially if along with it he lifts up the light of his countenance, and grants him joy in the Holy Ghost; he will go on so pleasantly and comfortably as to forget all his former troubles; and it will dissipate his doubts and fears about how he shall live for the future.


FOOTNOTES:

F20 (rkzy hbrh al yk) "quod si non multum recordabitur dierum vitae suae", Junius & Tremellius.

Ecclesiastes 5:20 In-Context

18 This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot.
19 Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God.
20 They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart.

Cross References 1

  • 1. S Deuteronomy 12:7,18
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