The Song of Solomon
Song of Solomon 7
Chapter VII · Vol. II, p. 1135
1 A further description of the church's graces. 10 The church professeth her faith and desire.
1 How beautifula are thy feet with shoes, O prince'sb daughter! cthe joints of thy thighs are like jewels, the work of the hands of a cunning workman:
2 Thyd navel is like a round goblet, which wanteth not 1liquor: ethy belly is like an heap of wheat set about with lilies:2
4 Thyh neck is as a tower of ivory; ithine eyes like the fish-pools in Heshbon by the gate of Bath-rabbim: jthy nose is as the tower of Lebanon which looketh toward Damascus:
5 Thinek head upon thee is like 3Carmel,4 and lthe hair of thine head like purple: the King is held5 in the galleries:
7 Thiso thy stature is like to a palm-tree, andp thy breasts to clusters of grapes.
o Ps.92.12. Ep.4.13,16. Col.2.19. 2 Co.1.12.
p ver.3; ch.4.5; 8.8. Is.66.10,11.
8 I said, qI will go up to the palm-tree, I will take hold of the boughs thereof: now also thy rbreasts shall be as clusters of the vine, and the ssmell of thy nose like apples;6
q Jn.14.21,23. Je.32.41. Ps.110.3; 45.3-5.
r Is.66.10,11. 2 Pe.1.8.
s 2 Co.2.14.
6 'And the perfume of thy breath like citrons.'—C.
9 Andt the roof of thy mouth like the best wine for my beloved, that goeth down 7sweetly, causing the lips of those that are asleep8 to speak.9
t Col.3.16,17; 4.6. Ac.4.11,12; 2.37; 16.14.
A.M. cir. 3009. B.C. cir. 995.
7 Heb. straightly.
8 Or, of the ancient.
9 'And thy speech as the choicest wine, sent to those specially beloved, sparkling against the lips and the teeth.'—C.
12 Letx us get up early to the vineyards; let yus see if the vine flourish, whether the tender grape appear,1 and the pomegranates bud forth: there will I give zthee my loves.2
y ch.6.11. 2 Co.13.5. 1 Co.11.28. Ps.139.23,24; 17.1,3.
1 Heb. open.
z Ex.25.22. Ps.122.5. He.4.16. Eze.20.40,41. Ps.63.1-7; 116.1-19; cxlv.cxlvi.
2 'There will I present thee with baskets of fruit.' So the word is translated, Je.24.1.—C.
Notes
1-6. Thou, O my visible church, art adorned with ministers shod with the animating preparations of the gospel of peace;—ministers fixed in the most noted station, and contributing to thy inward health and fruitfulness;—strong in grace, and confirmed in the truth, and set for the defence of the gospel;—intelligent in the mystery of Christ, and sagaciously watching against thy spiritual foes.—Thou art also adorned with manifold oracles and ordinances, for the spread of my honour, the communication of my influences, and edification of my people.—How beautiful, O heaven-born soul, are thy affections and conversation, through the powerful influence of gospel truth! Glorious are thy inward principles of holiness, and first motions to good, wrought in thee by the Holy Ghost! Thy gracious desires are supplied with nourishing influences from above! Plentiful provision, and fruitfulness in holiness, is obtained by the digesting of my word in a particular application of it! Living on the breasts of inspired oracles and instituted ordinances, how glorious and attracting are the exercises of thy faith and love, and of thy holy endeavours to edify others! A sure and precious defence is thy unfeigned and vigorous faith! Clear and distinct is thy spiritual understanding in the matters of God! Wonderful is thy gracious sagacity in discovering truth, and discerning between good and evil: and attended with courage and watchfulness, especially against the most near, constant, and malicious enemies! Grounded in my blood, and effectually productive of good works, is thy towering hope supported by thy faith! And acceptable in me is even the very smallest part of thy holy principles or practices! 7. So affecting is thy beauty, bestowed by myself, that I cannot but regard thy fellowship, and take pleasure to look on, and abundantly delight in thee.—When the whole of thy graces and holy conversation is considered in connection, how comely, flourishing, victorious, and heavenly is the appearance! And how cordial and cheering to me are thy affection and kind entertainment; 8, 9. In my purpose I resolved, and in my promise I have sought, to manifest myself to my church, in converting nominal members, and vouchsafing my kindest fellowship to real saints.—This shall qualify thee to edify others, and give pleasure and satisfaction to me. Revived, refreshed, and comforted, by my influences, thy gracious discourse shall quicken and awaken others to taste of my love, and to open their mouths in my praise.
Believers. 10. O the inexpressible comfort which I enjoy in the faith of Jesus' relations, and in the intimations of his love to my soul! 11, 12. Beloved Redeemer and husband, let me, retiring from the hurry and cares of this present world, have the most ravishing and permanent fellowship with thee! Let me, without delay, not only have a deep concern for the spiritual prosperity of the church, but have an intimate and distinct knowledge of the condition of my own heart, and see whether my graces be weak or strong, flourishing or languishing. In this our retired communion will I discover the sincerity and fervency of my affection to thee. 13. While the precious, savoury, and medicinal truths of the gospel are to many a savour of life unto life; and while lively believers all around me begin to flourish and spread their heavenly influence; the inward graces of my heart show themselves in lively exercises; and everywhere new degrees of grace, and new acts of holiness, are added to the former: all which are, at thy command, set apart for promoting thine honour and service!
Ver. 1. Shoes. The shoes or sandals are noticed first, as the emblem of 'the feet' shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace,' Ep. 6. 15.—The joints of thy thighs, &c. 'The mouldings of thy limbs are as ornaments, the workmanship of a skilful hand.' C.
Ver. 4. Heshbon was the capital of Sihon; and amidst its ruins a beautiful pool of water still exists. But is not the meaning of the emblem to be found rather in the meaning of the words, which abides, than in any work of art that might soon be destroyed? Heshbon signifies thought; Bath-rabbim, the house of the mighty; that is, 'Thine eyes are pools (bright depths) of intelligence and power.' C.
Ver. 5. 'Thy braided hair is like the royal purple festooned around the ceilings.'—Note, The word here translated galleries is also (ch. 1. 17) translated rafters: it has also been translated ringlets. The precise meaning of the word is uncertain; but, from its relation to beams (ch. 1. 17), and the fact that eastern ceilings are generally of boards, it has here been rendered ceilings. C.
Reflections.—Extensive are the beauties of holiness in the church and people of God, and fixed and uniform in the substantials thereof. What delight Jesus takes in the persons and services of his followers! He is ready to hold the most intimate fellowship with them. And with ravishing pleasure they glory in him, and in his love towards them. When inwardly warmed by his love, how ready are they to relinquish everything else, in order to have familiar intercourse with him! And a deep concern for the church of Christ, and exact observation of our inward condition, effectually promotes our endeavours to honour him.