Ecclesiastes 7:18-20 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this Embrace and practise this counsel last given. Also from this withdraw not thy hand From the practice of the preceding advice: for he that feareth God Who orders his actions so as to please God, and keep his commandments, walking by the rule of his word; shall come forth of them all Shall be delivered from all extremes, and from all the evil consequences of them. This verse seems more exactly rendered by a late writer thus: “The good which thou shouldest take hold of consists in this, (nay, thou shouldest never withdraw thine hand from it,) that he who feareth God shall avoid all these inconveniences.” Wisdom strengtheneth the wise Hebrew, החכמה תעז, that wisdom, will strengthen the wise, namely, that fear of God, mentioned above, which is the true wisdom, and will teach a man to keep close to the rule of his duty, without turning either to the right hand or to the left; more than ten mighty men which are in the city It will support him better in troubles, and secure him more effectually against dangers, than many men uniting their forces to assist and protect him. Or, he shall be better enabled to go through this world, than any town can be to stand the attacks of her enemies, though ten powerful princes should unite in her favour, and join their forces to defend her bulwarks. This is a support which can never fail; whereas, that of a man's own righteousness and strength cannot but be weak and precarious. For, (Ecclesiastes 7:20,) there is not a just man upon earth Rather, a righteous man, as אדם צדיק properly signifies, and is generally rendered, namely, one that is, and always has been righteous, according to God's law, the rule of righteousness, which is holy, just, and good, and by which shall no flesh living be justified, Psalms 143:2; Romans 3:20; Galatians 2:16. Thus St. Paul, quoting the words of David, testifies, There is none righteous, no not one. Solomon adds, that doeth good, and sinneth no t Who is universally and perfectly good and holy, and free from sin, in thought, word, and deed.