All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.

Wesley's Notes

15:15 Afflicted - Of the troubled in mind. Evil - Tedious and uncomfortable. Chearful - Heb. of a good heart.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

15. The state of the heart governs the outward condition.

evil-sad, contrasted with the cheerfulness of a feast.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

15:14. A wise man seeks to gain more wisdom, growing in grace and in the knowledge of Christ. But a carnal mind rests contented, flattering itself. 15. Some are much in affliction, and of a sorrowful spirit. Such are to be pitied, prayed for, and comforted. And others serve God with gladness of heart, and it prompts their obedience, yet they should rejoice with trembling.

Matthew Henry's Whole Bible Commentary

Verse 15

See here what a great difference there is between the condition and temper of some and others of the children of men. 1. Some are much in affliction, and of a sorrowful spirit, and all their days are evil days, like those of old age, and days of which they say they have no pleasure in them. They eat in darkness (Eccl. 5:17) and never eat with pleasure, Job 21:25. How many are the afflictions of the afflicted in this world! Such are not to be censured or despised, but pitied and prayed for, succoured and comforted. It might have been our own lot, or may be yet, merry as we are at present. 2. Others enjoy great prosperity and are of a cheerful spirit; and they have not only good days, but have a continual feast; and if in the abundance of all things they serve God with gladness of heart, and it is oil to the wheels of their obedience (all this, and heaven too), then they serve a good Master. But let not such feast without fear; a sudden change may come; therefore rejoice with trembling.