Royal rank and splendor are grown wearisome. The king once called her “sister” and “sister-bride.” Would he were indeed as a “brother,” her mother’s own child whom she might meet, embrace, and welcome everywhere without restraint or shame. Her love for him is simple, sacred, pure, free from the unre... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO WOULD INSTRUCT ME - Or, thou shouldest teach me Isaiah 54:13. Some allegorists make the whole passage Song of Solomon 7:11-8 a prayer of the synagogue for the Incarnation of the Word, like Song of Solomon 1:2 (see note). Others, a prayer of the Church under both covenants for that complete union... [ Continue Reading ]
The bride now turns to and addresses the chorus as before (marginal reference).... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT YE STIR NOT UP - literally, as in the margin. For “my love” read as before love. The omission of “the roes and hinds” here is noticeable. Hebrew scholars regard this charge here and elsewhere Song of Solomon 2:7; Song of Solomon 3:5 as an admonition to Israel not to attempt obtaining a possessi... [ Continue Reading ]
The scene changes from Jerusalem to the birthplace of the bride, where she is seen coming up toward her mother’s house, leaning on the arm of the great king her beloved. WHO IS THIS - Compare and contrast with Song of Solomon 3:6. In the former scene all was splendor and exaltation, but here condes... [ Continue Reading ]
The bride says this as she clings to his arm and rests her head upon his bosom. Compare John 13:23; John 21:20. This brief dialogue corresponds to the longer one Song of Solomon 4:7-5, on the day of their espousals. Allegorical interpreters find a fulfillment of this in the close of the present disp... [ Continue Reading ]
A brief dialogue commencing with a question and answer probably made by brothers of the bride concerning a younger sister who will soon be old enough to be asked in marriage. The answer is given in the form of a parable: “If she be a wall,” i. e., stedfast in chastity and virtue, one on whom no ligh... [ Continue Reading ]
The poem having opened with the song of a chorus in praise of the king Song of Solomon 1:2, concludes with a versicle recited by the bride, repeating the last words of her former strain Song of Solomon 2:17, with one significant change. She no longer thinks of the possibility of separation. The “Mou... [ Continue Reading ]