Ecclesiastes 5:8
If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they. If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they.
Do not marvel when oppression of the poor and violent perverting of judgment and justice are seen in a province. The reason is rank above rank, each ruler standing under one higher, and God highest over every human authority. He remains above human authorities. He regards human actions and affairs, no wrong is hidden from His scrutiny, and His oversight is exercised in power and loving-kindness. Though sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily and sinners prolong their days, it shall still be well with those who fear God before Him and it shall not be well with the wicked who do not fear before God.
The verse exposes taking for self the glory belonging to God who gave wisdom, riches, and honor, as when the temple built for the honor of God's name became known among the nations as Solomon's temple. The honor for the temple's divinely given design, materials, and services belonged to God, yet Solomon allowed people to credit him with its splendor and to give him praise that belonged to God.
Grateful acknowledgment of God belongs to penitence and turning back toward purity and holiness after a far fall, accepting that the blasting results of sin cannot be escaped and the memory of a self-indulgent course cannot be erased, while earnestly confessing error and warning others not to follow folly. One chastened by experience learns from the verse to trust in God's power rather than his own, since God remains above human authorities.