BEYOND METHUSELAH—WHO IS OLD?

years of my life that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem? I am this day four score years old; can I discern between good and bad? Can your servant taste what I eat or drink? Can I hear anymore the voice of singing men or singing women? Wherefore should your servant therefore be a burden to the lord my king?”!

The author of Ecclesiastes expresses doubt about age, as might be expected from this pessimistic book. In a poetic fashion, not easily interpreted, the author states:

Remember then your Creator in the days of your youth,

Before the evil days come,

And the years draw nigh, when you will say:

“I have no pleasure in them”;

Before the sun, and the light, and the moon,

And the stars, are darkened,

And the clouds return after the rain;

In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble,

And the strong men shall bow themselves,

And the grinders cease because they are few,

And those that look out shall be darkened in the windows,

And the doors shall be shut in the street,

When the sound of the grinding is low;

And one shall start up at the voice of a bird,

And all the daughters of music shall be brought low; Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high,