Ecclesiastes 3:17 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

I said in my heart I was sorely grieved at this, but I quieted myself with this consideration. God shall judge, &c. Absolving the just, and condemning the wicked. For there is a time there Namely, at the judgment-seat of God; a time fixed by God's unalterable decree. He implies, that as this life is the sinner's time, in which he doth whatsoever seemeth good in his own eyes, so God will have his time to reckon with sinners, and rectify all these disorders; for every purpose, and for every work For examining not only men's actions, but all their thoughts and purposes. The design of this verse is both to strike a terror into oppressing potentates, and to satisfy the doubts and support the spirits of good men, who are oppressed in this life.