CONTENTS The subject which the first chapter contained is the same as is continueth through this: indeed there is none other through the whole book of the Song, the mutual love of Christ, and his church. Jesus commends his spouse, and the spouse commends her Beloved. Song of Solomon 2:1 I am the... [ Continue Reading ]
As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters. But whatever obscurity is found in the former verse to whom the words belong, there can be none here. Evidently Jesus is here speaking of his church, and by a comparison with all others to point out her superiority; and in his grace, and l... [ Continue Reading ]
As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste. These are the words of the church, and very expressive they are, of her affection to her Lord. It should seem, as if conscious of her o... [ Continue Reading ]
He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love. Various have been the opinions of pious men, what is meant by this banqueting house of Jesus. Some have supposed it to mean the scriptures, which are indeed full of wine on the lees, and of marrow, for the perpetual feast of God... [ Continue Reading ]
Stay me with flagons, comfort me with apples: for I am sick of love. There is a great degree of earnestness in these expressions, which evidently shows the mind of the church to be going forth, upon the Person of her Lord with much warmth of regard. Whenever we meet with such vehemency of language,... [ Continue Reading ]
His left hand is under my head, and his right hand doth embrace me. I do not apprehend by those different expressions of left hand supports, and right hand embraces, that it is meant to convey anything of one being inferior to the other: but rather from both the hands and arms of Jesus to imply tha... [ Continue Reading ]
I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, till he please. It appears from what is said in this verse, that the church was so delighted with being stayed with flaggons and apples in the arms of Christ, that she was j... [ Continue Reading ]
The voice of my beloved! behold, he cometh leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills. I conceive that at this verse is the beginning of a new subject. Probably some short space might take place between this and the former. The Church appears to be in great delight in hearing the voice of J... [ Continue Reading ]
My beloved is like a roe or a young hart: behold, he standeth behind our wall, he looketh forth at the windows, shewing himself through the lattice. The former part of this verse is but a continuance of the former; in which the coming of Christ, as the Church's beloved, is compared to the swiftness... [ Continue Reading ]
My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. (11) For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; (12) The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land; (13) The fig tree putteth f... [ Continue Reading ]
O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the stairs, let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely. Here are several very grand parts in this verse. Jesus here calls his beloved by a new name, that of the dove,... [ Continue Reading ]
Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes. It should seem that Christ is in this verse giving direction to his servants, perhaps the pastors in his church, to be on the lookout for the enemy, who, like a fox is insidious, sly, and crafty, deceiving C... [ Continue Reading ]
My beloved is mine, and I am his: he feedeth among the lilies. Here is a short verse, but as comprehensive a one as almost any in the Bible. I need not observe that these are the words of the church, in which she asserts and seems to enjoy the blessedness of it, the mutual property which Christ and... [ Continue Reading ]
Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, turn, my beloved, and be thou like a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of Bether. The church in this verse is looking to her beloved with great confidence and joy, that he will be to her all she needs, for the support of her faith in him, and depe... [ Continue Reading ]