_A.M. 2990. B.C. 1014._ A further description of the church's graces, Song of Solomon 7:1. His design to visit the church, with the blessed effect thereof, Song of Solomon 7:8; Song of Solomon 7:9. She professes her faith and desire, Song of Solomon 7:10. She invites him to communion with her, Song... [ Continue Reading ]
_How beautiful are thy feet_, &c. The bridegroom, who spake the last words, here continues his speech, and breaks forth into a particular description and commendation of the spouse, partly from the parts of her body, and partly from her ornaments. With respect to which the same thing is to be observ... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thine eyes like the fish-pools_ Full, and clear, and quiet, and pleasant; _in Heshbon_ A pleasant and well-watered city beyond Jordan; _as the tower of Lebanon_ Which was, in all probability, built by Solomon in the mountain of Lebanon, the northern border of the land of Israel; and therefore a ver... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thy head is like Carmel_ Eminent and pleasant to the eye, and fruitful as mount Carmel was: which may denote that her mind was replenished with knowledge, and other excellent gifts of the Holy Ghost. _The hair of thy head like purple_ Which colour was anciently much esteemed. _The king is held in t... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thy stature is like to a palm-tree_ Tall and straight, or upright. And he seems to mention the palm-tree rather than any other, because it is constantly green and flourishing, and grows upward in spite of all pressures. _I said_ Within myself, I resolved; _I will go up to the palm tree_ Climb up, t... [ Continue Reading ]
_The roof of thy mouth_ Thy speech, the palate being one of the principal instruments of speech; _like the best wine_ Grateful and refreshing; _for my beloved_ Who reapest the comfort and benefit of that pleasure which I take in thee. _Causing the lips, &c., to speak_ The most dull, and stupid, and... [ Continue Reading ]
_I am my beloved's_ This and the following verses contain the words of the bride, in answer to the bridegroom's endearing expressions delivered in the foregoing verses. _Let us go forth into the field_ That, being retired from the crowd, we may more freely and sweetly converse together.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let us get up early_ The church having lost her beloved, by her former laziness, now doubles her diligence; _to the vineyards_ To particular congregations. _Let us see if the vines_, &c. Let us inquire into the success of our labours, what souls are brought in and built up, and how they prosper and... [ Continue Reading ]
_The mandrakes_ This Hebrew word is used Genesis 30:14, and the signification of it is very much doubted and disputed by interpreters. The word here signifies sweet and pleasant flowers, and therefore if it be understood of mandrakes, they were of another sort than ours, as flowers of the same kind,... [ Continue Reading ]