INTRODUCTION TO SONG OF SOLOMON 5 This chapter begins with Christ's answer to the church's request; in which he informs her, that he was come into his garden, as she desired, and gives an account of what he had done there; and kindly invites his dear friends to feast with him there, Song of Solomon... [ Continue Reading ]
I AM COME INTO MY GARDEN, MY SISTER, [MY] SPOUSE,.... This verse should rather have concluded the preceding chapter, being Christ's answer to the church's request, which was speedily and exactly granted as she desired; which shows it was according to the will of Christ, and of which he informs her;... [ Continue Reading ]
I SLEEP, BUT MY HEART WAKETH,.... Like persons that are half awake, half asleep, whom Cicero x calls "semisomni". Christ and the church having feasted together at his invitation, she soon after fell asleep, as the disciples did after a repast with their Lord; yet not so fast asleep but that she was... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE PUT OFF MY COAT,.... In order to lie down on her bed at night, and take her ease; meaning her conversation garments, which she had not been careful of to keep, but had betook herself to carnal ease and rest, and was off her watch and guard, Ne 4:23; and being at ease, and free from trouble, a... [ Continue Reading ]
MY BELOVED PUT IN HIS HAND BY THE HOLE [OF THE DOOR],.... To remove the bolt or bar which kept him from entering in. By the "door" is meant the door of her heart, which was in a great measure shut against Christ, through the prevalence of corruption; and the "hole" in it shows that it was not entire... [ Continue Reading ]
I ROSE UP TO OPEN TO MY BELOVED,.... As soon as touched by the hand of mighty grace, she not only resolved to rise, but actually rose, and that directly, not being easy to lie any longer on her bed of carnal security; being now made heartily and thoroughly willing to let in her beloved, who she supp... [ Continue Reading ]
I OPENED TO MY BELOVED,.... Which was what he desired, and was done in virtue of his putting in his hand by the hole of the door; or by the exertion of his efficacious grace, working in her both to will and to do, without which it would not have been done; namely, her heart dilated, the desires and... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WATCHMEN THAT WENT ABOUT THE CITY, FOUND ME,.... Of the city and the watchmen in it, and of their finding the church, Song of Solomon 3:2; Song of Solomon 3:3; THEY SMOTE ME, THEY WOUNDED ME; taking her for a night walker, they gave her ill words and hard blows this was not very becoming watc... [ Continue Reading ]
I CHARGE YOU, O DAUGHTERS OF JERUSALEM,.... Young converts, as before observed; who, upon the hideous outcry the church made in the streets, came to her to know what was the matter, whom she addressed as after related; this shows the humility and condescension of the church, in desiring the assistan... [ Continue Reading ]
WHAT IS THY BELOVED MORE THAN [ANOTHER] BELOVED, O THOU FAIREST AMONG WOMEN?.... The same title Christ gives her, Song of Solomon 1:8; and from whom these daughters seem to have taken it; and, in giving it to her, might be assured they were right, since he, who knew her perfectly well, so calls her;... [ Continue Reading ]
MY BELOVED [IS] WHITE AND RUDDY,.... This, and the following verses, contain the church's answer to the question of the daughters; she first gives a general description of her beloved, and then descends to particulars: the description of him in general is, that he is "white and ruddy"; having the wh... [ Continue Reading ]
HIS HEAD [IS AS] THE MOST FINE GOLD,.... Here the church enters into a particular description and commendation of her beloved, which continues to the end of the chapter; and she begins with his "head", which she compares to the most fine gold. Some think that some ornament of the head is meant, as a... [ Continue Reading ]
HIS EYES [ARE] AS [THE EYES] OF DOVES,.... the church's eyes are said to be, Song of Solomon 1:15; which are her ministers, endowed with dove like gifts in measure, as Christ is without measure, in fulness; but these are Christ's eyes, which may signify his omniscience, who has seven eyes, Zechariah... [ Continue Reading ]
HIS CHEEKS [ARE] AS A BED OF SPICES, [AS] SWEET FLOWERS,.... Which may intend the presence of Christ with his people in his word and ordinances; often called his "face", which he shows, and they seek after, than which nothing is more desirable; walking in the light of his countenance is preferable t... [ Continue Reading ]
HIS HANDS [ARE AS] GOLD RINGS, SET WITH THE BERYL,.... Beryl is with great propriety mentioned, because it was usual to wear it on the fingers z. This was one of the precious stones in the breastplate of the high priest, a type of Christ, Exodus 28:20; one of the pearl foundations of the New Jerusal... [ Continue Reading ]
HIS LEGS [ARE AS] PILLARS OF MARBLE, SET UPON SOCKETS OF FINE GOLD,.... The allusion may be to the "femoralia", or garments on the thighs of the high priest when he ministered in holy things, who was a type of Christ; which were made of thee twined linen, and, as the Rabbins say e, of thread six tim... [ Continue Reading ]
HIS MOUTH [IS] MOST SWEET,.... Or sweetness itself k; yea, "sweetnesses" l; exceeding sweet. That is, the words of his month, the doctrines of the Gospel, the precious promises of it, the kind invitations given, and the comfortable things spoken in it; yea, the commands of Christ in his word are not... [ Continue Reading ]