CONTENTS
The subject which the first chapter contained is the same as is
continueth through this: indeed there is none other through the whole
book of the Song, the mutual love of Christ, and his church. Jesus
commends his spouse, and the spouse commends her Beloved.
Song of Solomon 2:1
I am the... [ Continue Reading ]
As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters.
But whatever obscurity is found in the former verse to whom the words
belong, there can be none here. Evidently Jesus is here speaking of
his church, and by a comparison with all others to point out her
superiority; and in his grace, and l... [ Continue Reading ]
As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among
the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his
fruit was sweet to my taste.
These are the words of the church, and very expressive they are, of
her affection to her Lord. It should seem, as if conscious of her o... [ Continue Reading ]
He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was
love.
Various have been the opinions of pious men, what is meant by this
banqueting house of Jesus. Some have supposed it to mean the
scriptures, which are indeed full of wine on the lees, and of marrow,
for the perpetual feast of God... [ Continue Reading ]
Stay me with flagons, comfort me with apples: for I am sick of love.
There is a great degree of earnestness in these expressions, which
evidently shows the mind of the church to be going forth, upon the
Person of her Lord with much warmth of regard. Whenever we meet with
such vehemency of language,... [ Continue Reading ]
His left hand is under my head, and his right hand doth embrace me.
I do not apprehend by those different expressions of left hand
supports, and right hand embraces, that it is meant to convey anything
of one being inferior to the other: but rather from both the hands and
arms of Jesus to imply tha... [ Continue Reading ]
I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the
hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, till he
please.
It appears from what is said in this verse, that the church was so
delighted with being stayed with flaggons and apples in the arms of
Christ, that she was j... [ Continue Reading ]
The voice of my beloved! behold, he cometh leaping upon the mountains,
skipping upon the hills.
I conceive that at this verse is the beginning of a new subject.
Probably some short space might take place between this and the
former. The Church appears to be in great delight in hearing the voice
of J... [ Continue Reading ]
My beloved is like a roe or a young hart: behold, he standeth behind
our wall, he looketh forth at the windows, shewing himself through the
lattice.
The former part of this verse is but a continuance of the former; in
which the coming of Christ, as the Church's beloved, is compared to
the swiftness... [ Continue Reading ]
My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and
come away. (11) For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and
gone; (12) The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of
birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land; (13)
The fig tree putteth f... [ Continue Reading ]
O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of
the stairs, let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for
sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely.
Here are several very grand parts in this verse. Jesus here calls his
beloved by a new name, that of the dove,... [ Continue Reading ]
Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our
vines have tender grapes.
It should seem that Christ is in this verse giving direction to his
servants, perhaps the pastors in his church, to be on the lookout for
the enemy, who, like a fox is insidious, sly, and crafty, deceiving
C... [ Continue Reading ]
My beloved is mine, and I am his: he feedeth among the lilies.
Here is a short verse, but as comprehensive a one as almost any in the
Bible. I need not observe that these are the words of the church, in
which she asserts and seems to enjoy the blessedness of it, the mutual
property which Christ and... [ Continue Reading ]
Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, turn, my beloved, and
be thou like a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of Bether.
The church in this verse is looking to her beloved with great
confidence and joy, that he will be to her all she needs, for the
support of her faith in him, and depe... [ Continue Reading ]