25:22 struggled together within her. Babies have real feelings, thoughts and personalities even before birth. This is clear Biblically (Psalm 139:14-16; Ecclesiastes 11:5; Luke 1:44; etc.), and is being increasingly confirmed by modern scientific monitoring of embryonic children growing in the womb.

3:15 God of your fathers. Jesus Christ referred to this claim (especially as made in Exodus 3:6) as proof of life beyond the grave (Matthew 22:32). The “fathers” were still living, since God was still their God. If God is eternal, so are those whom He has created (Ecclesiastes 3:14).

4:32 three thousand proverbs. Jewish scholars have long recognized Solomon as the primary author of the Biblical books of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon, and possibly even some of the Psalms. The uniquely cogent wisdom expressed in these books is consistent with the Biblical testimonies concerning his wisdom. The portions of his writings now recognized as divinely inspired Scripture were, however, according to the summation in this verse, only a fraction of his writings.

8:46 sinneth not. Solomon acknowledged here in his prayer that all men are sinners before God (note Romans 3:10,23; James 2:10; etc). Note also his testimony in Ecclesiastes 7:20.

49:5 the days of evil. That is, the days of old age (Ecclesiastes 12:1). Ever since the entrance of sin and death into the world, followed by the Protevangelic promise that the Serpent would bruise the heel of the woman’s Seed (Genesis 3:15), her children in every age have been stung by Satan with his iniquities throughout their lives, amassing an impressive total as the end of life nears. In view of God’s promised redemption, however (Psalm 49:8, 15), there is no need to fear.

71:18 old and grayheaded. This is a worthy prayer for all elderly believers, as well as a reminder to younger Christians that the older generation still has much to contribute to the present spiritual conflict in terms of accumulated experience and wisdom. “There is no discharge in that war” (Ecclesiastes 8:8). A concerned Christian should continue to serve the Lord, in prayer if nothing else, as long as he has breath.

78:69 established for ever. The earth, like all God’s creation, will continue forever (Ecclesiastes 1:44). God is the Creator—not a “de-Creator!” (Ecclesiastes 3:14). In “the day of the Lord” (II Peter 3:10), “the earth...shall be burned up,” but its mass will possibly be converted into other forms of energy (heat, sound, etc.). It will not be completely annihilated. God will then renew the earth as a “new earth” (II Peter 3:13) which will never pass away (Isaiah 66:22).

139:15 My substance. This refers to the basic frame or skeleton. Note also the similar testimony in Ecclesiastes 11:5. The marvels of embryonic growth are still largely unexplained by scientists, but God knows!

148:6 for ever and ever. Although the earth and its elements must yet be cleansed by fire (II Peter 3:10), God’s physical universe will endure forever. God is not capricious; He does not “un-create” what He has created (Ecclesiastes 3:14). See also Psalm 78:69; 104:5; Daniel 12:3.

17:27 spareth his words. Christians need to cultivate the grace of quietness. “Be not rash with thy mouth” (Ecclesiastes 5:2), for “every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment” (Matthew 12:36). Note also I Thessalonians 4:11; James 1:19; Ephesians 5:4; etc. The book of Proverbs contains many sayings to this effect (Proverbs 13:2; 15:2; 17:28; 21:23; etc).