(15) All the days of the afflicted are evil.—Another caution against over-anxiety. The “afflicted” here evidently means, not one who has to bear great misfortunes, but one who makes the worst of everything, to whom the “clouds return after the rain” (Ecclesiastes 12:2); while one who is “of a merry heart” does just the contrary.

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.Afflicted - The affliction meant here is less that of outward circumstances than of a troubled and downcast spirit. Life to the cheerful is as one perpetual banquet, whether he be poor or rich. That which disturbs the feast is anxiety, the taking (anxious) thought" of Matthew 6:34. 15. The state of the heart governs the outward condition.

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

Of the afflicted; of the troubled in mind or heart, as this general expression may very fitly be restrained from the following clause.

Are evil; tedious and uncomfortable; he takes no content in any time or thing.

Of a merry heart, Heb. of a good heart, i.e. composed, and quiet, and contented.

Hath a continual feast; hath constant satisfaction and delight in all conditions, yea, even in affliction.

All the days of the afflicted are evil,.... And some are afflicted all their days, from their youth up; so that not only the days of old age are evil days, in which they have no pleasure, but even the days of their youth; all their days, as Jacob says, "few and evil have the days of the years of my life been", Genesis 47:9; because they had been filled up with affliction and trouble of one sort or another. Or, "all the days of the poor" (f); either in purse, who want many of the good things of life; or in knowledge, as Gersom and Aben Ezra observe;

but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast; a heart that has "the kingdom of God" in it, which lies "not in meat and drink, but in righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost", Romans 14:17, which has the love of God shed abroad in it by the Spirit, where Christ dwells by faith; and that lives by faith on him, and on the provisions of his grace; all this is a constant continual feast to a gracious soul, made joyful hereby.

(f) "pauperis", V. L. Pagninus, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Mercerus, Michaelis.

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