Song of Solomon 8:1
O that — The church here expresses her desire of a stricter union, and closer communion with Christ. Without — In the open streets.... [ Continue Reading ]
O that — The church here expresses her desire of a stricter union, and closer communion with Christ. Without — In the open streets.... [ Continue Reading ]
Instruct me — Or, where she did instruct or educate me. I would — My gifts and graces should all be employed to serve and glorify thee.... [ Continue Reading ]
Who — This and the next clause are the words of the bridegroom, who proposes the question, that he may give the answer following. Her beloved — He speaks of himself in the third person, which is usual in the Hebrew language. I raised — When thou wast dead in trespasses and in the depth of misery. Un... [ Continue Reading ]
Set me — These are undoubtedly the words of the bride. Let thy heart be constantly set upon me. He seems to allude to the engraven tablets which are frequently worn upon the breast, and to the signet on a man's arm or hand, which they prized at a more than ordinary rate, and which are continually in... [ Continue Reading ]
Many waters — My love to thee cannot be taken off, either by terrors and afflictions, which are commonly signified in scripture by waters and floods; or by temptations and allurements. Therefore, give me thyself, without whom, and in comparison of whom, I despise all other persons and things.... [ Continue Reading ]
We — These are still the words of the bride. The present church, which was that of the Jews, speaks of a future church, which was to consist of the Gentiles, which she calls little, because she was the younger sister, and then scarce had a being; and she calls her sister to intimate that the Gentile... [ Continue Reading ]
If — This seems to be Christ's answer to the foregoing question of the Jewish church. Christ engages himself to provide for her, as suits best with her condition. If the Gentiles when they are converted shall be like a wall, strong and firm in faith; We, my Father, and I, and the Holy Ghost, as the... [ Continue Reading ]
I am — These seem to be the words of the Jewish church. O Lord, by thy grace I am what thou wouldst have my sister to be, and therefore humbly hope, according to thy promise to her in that case, thou wilt build upon me a palace of silver. Towers — Which stand out from and above the wall, and are an... [ Continue Reading ]
Baal — hamon — A place not far from Jerusalem. A thousand — Whereby he signifies both the vast extent of the vineyard which required so many keepers, and its singular fertility.... [ Continue Reading ]
My vineyard — My church, which is here opposed to Solomon's vineyard. Possibly we may ascribe the first clause to Christ, and the latter to the spouse: such interlocutions being familiar in this book. Mine — This repetition is very emphatical, to shew that Christ had a more eminent title to his vine... [ Continue Reading ]
Thou — Christ speaks here to his spouse. The gardens — Not in the wilderness of the world, but in the church, the garden of God. He saith, gardens, because of the many particular congregations, into which the church is divided. Companions — The friends of the bride and bridegroom. Hearken — Diligent... [ Continue Reading ]
Make haste — Seeing we must part for a time, make haste, O my beloved bridegroom, and speedily finish the work which thou hast to do in the world, that so thou mayest take me to thyself, that I may live in thine everlasting embraces.... [ Continue Reading ]