It is very important to come before the Lord carefully (v1). We must come with a listening attitude rather than with a compulsion to speak (v2). This takes great humility. It is an awareness of the God who is in heaven, in other words, high and exalted, that produces such needed humility.

In coming before the Lord, there must be total sincerity, we must mean what we say or promise (v4). The Lord has no pleasure in those who are quick to talk but don’t mean what they say. This leads into sin (v5-7).

How is your control of your words? Are you slow to speak? Are you careful in what you say?

Local corrupt officials normally point to corrupt leaders further up the chain (v8). When there is a king who has the right motivation, then the land is to be blessed (v9). We need to pray for God to create such rulers.

The preacher speaks of the addictive power of riches and how this creates such sleeplessness among the rich (v10-12). Those who have their fill and are content are the blessed.

The preacher speaks of a son who have nothing due to the corruption of the rich who denied his father what was due (v13-17). The unfairness of this world is being faced up to.

Those who through their work have enough to eat and drink and who find satisfaction in their work, they are truly blessed (v18-20).