_A.M. 2990. B.C. 1014._ Christ speaks of himself and his church, Song of Solomon 2:1; Song of Solomon 2:2. The church declares the delightful fellowship she had with Christ, Song of Solomon 2:3; Song of Solomon 2:4. Rejoices in his favour, and takes care that nothing may displease him, Song of Solo... [ Continue Reading ]
_I am the rose of Sharon_ These are the words of the bridegroom. He compares himself to the rose and lily, for fragrancy and beauty. Sharon was a very fruitful place, and famous for roses. _As the lily among thorns_ Compared with thorns, which it unspeakably exceeds in glory and beauty; _so is my lo... [ Continue Reading ]
_As the apple-tree_ Whose fruit is very pleasant and wholesome; _among the trees of the wood_ Which are barren. _I sat down under his shadow_ I confidently reposed myself under his protection. _His fruit was sweet to my taste_ The benefits which I received by him, namely, remission of sins, faith, g... [ Continue Reading ]
_He brought me to the banqueting-house_ The places in which believers received the graces and blessings of Christ. _His banner over me_ By the lifting up whereof I was invited to come to him, and to list myself under him; _was love_ The love of Christ crucified, which, like a banner, is displayed in... [ Continue Reading ]
_I charge you_ This is spoken by the bride. _By the roes_ By the example of those creatures, which are pleasant and loving in their carriage toward one another; _that ye stir not up, nor awake_ That you do not disturb nor offend him; _till he please_ Never, as this word _until_, in such phrases, is... [ Continue Reading ]
_The voice of my beloved_ Christ's voice, the word of grace revealed outwardly in the gospel, and inwardly by the Spirit of God. _Behold, he cometh leaping_ She saith, _leaping_ and _skipping_, to denote that Christ came readily and swiftly, with great desire and pleasure; and adds, _upon the mounta... [ Continue Reading ]
_My beloved is like a roe_ In swiftness. He is coming to me with all speed, and will not tarry a moment beyond the proper season. _He standeth behind our wall_ And while he doth, for wise reasons, forbear to come, he is not far from us. Both this and the following phrases may denote the obscure mann... [ Continue Reading ]
_My beloved spake_ Invited me outwardly by his word, and inwardly by his Spirit. _Rise up, my love_ Shake off sloth, and disentangle thyself more fully from all the snares of this world. _And come away_ Unto me, and with me; follow me fully, serve me perfectly, labour for a nearer union, and more sa... [ Continue Reading ]
_O my dove_ So the church is called, for her dove-like temper, and for her dove-like condition, because she is weak, and exposed to persecution, and therefore forced to hide herself in rocks; _in the secret places of the stairs_ In the holes of craggy and broken rocks, which resemble stairs. _Let me... [ Continue Reading ]
_Take us_ The bridegroom gives this charge to his bridemen or friends. By whom he understands those magistrates and ministers to whom, under Christ, the custody of the vineyards, of the churches, principally belongs. These he commands to take the foxes, to restrain them from doing this mischief; _th... [ Continue Reading ]
_My beloved is mine_ These are the words of the bride, who, having come to him upon his gracious invitation, now maketh her boast of him. _He feedeth among the lilies_ Abideth and refresheth himself among his faithful people, who are compared to lilies, Song of Solomon 2:2.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Until the day-break_ Until the morning of that blessed day of the general resurrection, when all the shadows, not only of ignorance, and sin, and calamity, but even of all ordinances, and outward administrations, shall cease. _Turn, my beloved_ Return to me. For although Christ had come to her, and... [ Continue Reading ]