How beautiful are thy feet, literally, "thy steps," WITH SHOES, O PRINCE'S DAUGHTER, as the bride proceeds on her way in stately majesty. THE JOINTS OF THY THIGHS, the swing or motion of her hips in walking, ARE LIKE JEWELS, like the regular swinging of a pendant chain, THE WORK OF THE HANDS OF A CU... [ Continue Reading ]
THE VICTORIOUS PROGRESS OF THE CHURCH. The Beauty of the Church's Progress... [ Continue Reading ]
Thy navel is like a round goblet, a mixing-bowl, WHICH WANTETH NOT LIQUOR, or, "Let not mixed wine," such as was mixed with wine or spices, "be wanting"; THY BELLY IS LIKE AN HEAP OF WHEAT, a rounded pile of grain, SET ABOUT WITH LILIES.... [ Continue Reading ]
Thy two breasts, organs of nourishment, ARE LIKE TWO YOUNG ROES THAT ARE TWINS, twin gazelles, figures of graceful strength.... [ Continue Reading ]
Thy neck is as a tower of ivory, in whiteness and symmetry; THINE EYES LIKE THE FISH-POOLS IN HESHBON, blue basins mirroring the rays of the sun, BY THE GATE OF BATH-RABBIM, Heshbon itself being called the "daughter of many," since it was a populous commercial city; THY NOSE IS AS THE TOWER OF LEBAN... [ Continue Reading ]
Thine head upon thee is like Carmel, a lofty and beautiful mountain, AND THE HAIR OF THINE HEAD LIKE PURPLE, with its dark luster and silkiness. THE KING IS HELD IN THE GALLERIES, fettered in love by the beauty of her curls.... [ Continue Reading ]
How fair and how pleasant art thou, O love, for delights, charming and amiable in her caresses!... [ Continue Reading ]
This thy stature is like to a palm-tree, with its towering stateliness, AND THY BREASTS TO CLUSTERS OF GRAPES, rather, the clusters of fruit of the palm-tree.... [ Continue Reading ]
I said, I will go up to the palm-tree, that being His present intention, I WILL TAKE HOLD OF THE BOUGHS THEREOF; NOW ALSO THY BREASTS SHALL BE, or, "Let thy breasts be," AS CLUSTERS OF THE VINE AND THE SMELL OF THY NOSE LIKE APPLES, the King desiring to revel in the beauty and sweetness of His bride... [ Continue Reading ]
and the roof of thy mouth, the sweetness of the palate referring to the loveliness of her kisses, LIKE THE BEST WINE FOR MY BELOVED, THAT GOETH DOWN SWEETLY, or smoothly, CAUSING THE LIPS OF THOSE THAT ARE ASLEEP TO SPEAK, gliding down gently and causing the drinker to fall into gentle slumber. Here... [ Continue Reading ]
I am my Beloved's, and His desire is toward me, a joyful exclamation showing how sure she is of His love, and how safe she feels in its possession. She, therefore, invites the Bridegroom:... [ Continue Reading ]
The Bride's Answer to the Lord. Even at the end of the last paragraph the bride had caught tip the words of the Bridegroom, stating, on her part, that the Word of her message, of the Gospel-truth, was like wine which caused the most pleasant dreams. She now continues, in reciprocating His affection... [ Continue Reading ]
Come, my Beloved, let us go forth into the field, out into the open country; LET US LODGE IN THE VILLAGES, the Church lodging not only in one place, but wherever a congregation with the pure 'Word is organized.... [ Continue Reading ]
Let us get up early to the vineyards, figures of rich fruitfulness; LET US SEE IF THE VINE FLOURISH, whether it has sprouted, WHETHER THE TENDER GRAPE APPEAR, that is, whether its blossoms have opened, AND THE POMEGRANATES BUD FORTH; THERE WILL I GIVE THEE MY LOVES, opening her heart without reserve... [ Continue Reading ]
The mandrakes, whose odor was supposed to stimulate love, GIVE A SMELL, AND AT OUR GATES ARE ALL MANNER OF PLEASANT FRUITS, the reference being to the store-rooms for dried fruits and vegetables over the doors of the houses, NEW AND OLD, WHICH I HAVE LAID UP FOR THEE, O MY BELOVED, for only the rich... [ Continue Reading ]