Een levensliedje - Qoaleth 8,9,11,12 = Life's Little Song (Qo 1,3,89.11.12), 1971 - 1987

In typical Dutch fashion, this is known as a little song about life, using the diminutive form as a term of endearment. Qoheleth, the Book of the Preacher, is believed to have been written not by a priest (or preacher) but in fact by a member of the assembly. It represents a nonchalant view on life, where everything has a course to follow, which it does unwaveringly. This almost defies the 'high thinking' of the priestly mindset. In 1:5-7, we sing, Here, there, everywhere, stalks the wind, now from the south, now from the north; all the rivers flow down to the sea, and yet the sea never floods nor fills’ Who can explain time, which keeps on flowing by (3:22)? Who knows if love or hate lies in store (8:2)? The simple philosophy can be summed up as People everywhere, be always be happy, enjoy many years under the sun, eating and playing, making friends, and do whatever you choose to do (11:8-9). This is Wisdom literature bearing in mind that Wisdom, the feminine form of God, is with God at the beginning. -- Tony Barr