7 The light is pleasant , and it is good for the eyes to see the sun . 8 Indeed , if a man should live many years , let him rejoice in them all , and let him remember the days of darkness , for they will be many . Everything that is to come will be futility .
9 Rejoice , young man , during your childhood , and let your heart be pleasant during the days of young manhood . And follow the impulses of your heart and the desires of your eyes . Yet know that God will bring you to judgment for all these things . 10 So, remove grief and anger from your heart and put away pain from your body , because childhood and the prime of life are fleeting .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Ecclesiastes 11:7-10
Commentary on Ecclesiastes 11:7-10
(Read Ecclesiastes 11:7-10)
Life is sweet to bad men, because they have their portion in this life; it is sweet to good men, because it is the time of preparation for a better; it is sweet to all. Here is a caution to think of death, even when life is most sweet. Solomon makes an effecting address to young persons. They would desire opportunity to pursue every pleasure. Then follow your desires, but be assured that God will call you into judgment. How many give loose to every appetite, and rush into every vicious pleasure! But God registers every one of their sinful thoughts and desires, their idle words and wicked words. If they would avoid remorse and terror, if they would have hope and comfort on a dying bed, if they would escape misery here and hereafter, let them remember the vanity of youthful pleasures. That Solomon means to condemn the pleasures of sin is evident. His object is to draw the young to purer and more lasting joys. This is not the language of one grudging youthful pleasures, because he can no longer partake of them; but of one who has, by a miracle of mercy, been brought back in safety. He would persuade the young from trying a course whence so few return. If the young would live a life of true happiness, if they would secure happiness hereafter, let them remember their Creator in the days of their youth.