Ecclesiastes

Ecclesiates tells the story of a king who relates his life experiences and draws profound, often self-critical, lessons from them.

The presumed author is king Solomon introducing himself as "son of David, king in Jerusalem". He discusses the meaning of life and the best way to live it. He proclaims all the actions of man to be inherently "vain" or "futile", as both wise and foolishly lived lives end in death. At the same time, the author clearly endorses wisdom as a means for a well-lived earthly life. Despite the senselessness of life, one should enjoy the simple pleasures of daily life, such as eating, drinking, and taking enjoyment in one's work, which are gifts from God. The book concludes with the injunction: "Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man." (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

Psalms is among the Books of Wisdom which includes Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon (Song of Songs).