When I applied mine heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done upon the earth: (for also [there is that] neither day nor night seeth sleep with his eyes:)
Ver. 16. When I applied mine heart to know wisdom,] i.e., The wisdom and other excellencies of God shining plainly and plentifully in ruling the affairs, and ordering the disorders of the world to his own glory.
For also there is that neither day nor night seeth, &c., ] i.e., Perdius et pernox, by day and by night I busied myself in this search, so that a little sleep served my turn all the while. Nullus mihi per otium exiit dies, partem etiam noctium studiis vindico, saith Seneca; I studied day and night, and followed it with all possible eagerness. Thuanus tells of a countryman of his, whom he called Franciscus Vieta Fontenejus, a very learned man, that he was so set upon his study, that for three days together sometimes he would sit close at it, sine cibo et somno, nisi quem cubito innixus, nec se loco movens, capiebat, without meat or sleep, more than what for mere necessity of nature he took leaning upon his elbow. Solomon seems by this text to have been as sharp set for the finding out of the way of divine administration, and the true reason of divine dispensations. But he got little further than to see that it far exceeded all human capacity and apprehension. Maiores maiora noverunt, et Deus det vobis plus sapere quam dico, saith a father, when he said what he could to some one of God's works of wonder - i.e., They who are more learned know, and God grant you may understand more than I say.