Song of Solomon 4

The Bridegroom commendeth the spouse for her beauty, v.1, &c. He telleth her, that he will be absent from her for a while, 6. He calleth her, to come down unto him, 8. Testifying his love unto her, 9. And commending her yet further, 10. The spouse beseecheth her bridegroom to come speedily unto her, and to work powerfully and effectually in her by his Holy Spirit, to the end that she may bring forth fruits that may be pleasing and acceptable unto him, 15.

1. Behold, thou art fair, my Love, [The Spouse of Christ is called fair, or beautiful, not onely as she is behold and considered in Christ, but also as she is transformed and changed into the image of Christ, from glory to glory, as by the spirit of the Lord, 2 Cor.3.18. See above chap.1.on vers.15.] behold, thou art fair, [see above chap.1.on vers.15.] thine eyes are doves (eyes,) [see the annotate.chap.1.15.] between thy locks: [Or, between thy hair-dressing, as below vers.3. Oth. Thine hair-bindings] thine hair is as a flock of goats, that shear off (the grass) of mount Gilead. [That is, it is fair, smooth, and like unto the hair of the goats, that feed upon mount Gilead, or go somewhere in a goodly fat ground or meadow, and thereby grow fat, and get thin soft hair. That is, thou art adorned with good works. (that shear off, &c.) The Hebrew word is onely found here, and below chap.6.5. It signifieth to shear off, or to make bald; that is, to eat off. Oth. That shine from mount Gilead. This Country of Gilead was very commodious to feed cattle in, by reason of its fatness, as appeareth by Genes.31.21. Numb.32.1. Jerem.22.vers.6.]

2. Thy teeth are like a flock of (sheep,) [To wit, thy spiritual teeth; whereby thou art to chew the cud, or to ruminate the spiritual food of the soul, have all the beauty and ornament, that may be required in teeth, and consequently are fit and apt to chew and ruminate the spiritual food] that are shorn, [Or, are cut off, or which are make alike or equal to one another, so that the one is not greater then the other; otherwise it would be unseenily, and be an impediment in the chewing of the spiritual food] which come up from the washing-place; [Or, which come up from the washing, and consequently are clean, and white] they all bring forth twins, and none is without young [Or, barren] among them.

3. They lips are like a thread of scarlet, [The lips are the instruments of uttering or producing words: And here they signify the Ministers of the word, and their sweet and pleasant Doctrines, which is further intimated by the words following (and thy speech is pleasant, or, comely.) (like a scarlet-lace) That is, red, which is a commendable thing in the lips. It signifieth that their Doctrine is pleasant and delightful to the hearers, or members of the Congregation] and thy speech is pleasant: [compare Psal.147.1. Col.4.5.] thy temples are like a piece of a pomegranate [Wherein little red kernels or gains are seen & discerned. Under the word temples may be likewise understood and comprehended the red blushing cheeks being a part of the beauty of the face. But here it signifieth bashfulness and modesty in the members of the church, taking narrow heed of doing, or speaking anything, whereat they may have cause to blush] between thy locks. [as above v.1.]

4. Thy neck is like the tower of David, which is built for the hanging up of armor, [That is, thy neck is bolt up right, high and strong, and hung about with ornaments, as that fair tower, which David built. See Neh.3. vers.19. and 25. And Mich.4.8. But others understand this of Davids strong-hold, 2 Sam.5.7,9. This signifieth the courage, boldness, and sure hope or confidence of the Church of Christ, who being united unto Christ her head, boweth her neck no more, to serve the Devil, or sin, Rom.6.17,18. Or men, 1 Cor.7.23. But by the weapons of her warfare (which are not carnal, but mighty through God, to cast down strong holds, 2 Cor.10.4.) she standeth fast in the evil day, being armed, as it is written, Ephes.6.11, etc. (Built for the hanging up of armory, or arms:) Or, for an armors, or, magazine for all manner of armor, or, arms. The Hebrew word is onely found in this place. And it seemeth, that here such weapons are meant or understood, which serve to hurt or wound the enemy with, as by the bucklers and shields (mentioned in the following words) are meant such kind of weapons or arms, whereby a man defendeth himself, and keepeth off the blows,] whereon (there) hang a thousand bucklers, [The number of thousand is used here and elsewhere for a great number] all being the shields of Champions. [Of Davids Champions, and their valiant acts, see 2 Sam.23.8. to the end, and 1 Chron.11.10. to vers.47. whose shields being hung up in the tower of David for perpetual memory, signify here all those, who by the shield of faith have done many great and valiant acts, whereof the Apostle relateth some, Heb.11.]

5. Thy two breasts, [Understand here by the two breasts, the Doctrines and comforts, which are to be found in the Old and New Testament, wherewith the faithful are fed and nourished. See Isai.66.11. and 1 Pet.2.2. Others understand by the spouses two breasts, the administration of the word of God, and of the Holy Sacraments, wherewith the sheep and lambs of Christ, are fed and nourished as upon a good and fast pasture] are like two whelps, twins of a roe, [That is, both of them are fair, full, firm, and uniform; So are the old and New Testament every way like each other, the one according and agreeing with the other in all things] which feed among the lilies. [To wit, in fat and wholesome doctrine of the church. See below 5.13.]

6. Until that day break, and the shadows fly (away,) I will go to the mountain of myrrhe, and to the hill of frankincense. [The Bridegroom answereth here the scruple which his spouse might object, saying, Lord Jesus Christ, am I so fair and beautiful in thine eye? Why then stayest thou so long from consummating and solemnizingthe marriage betwixt us? Hereunto the Bridegroom maketh answers, Thou must wait the time that is appointed and decreed for it; to wit, the time of the restauration or restitution of all things, Acts 3:21. That is, until the evening or end of the world come: then will I take up unto me; in the mean while I will go to mountain of myrrhe, and to the hill of frankincense; that is, I will ascend into heaven, whither the faithful do daily offer up and send up their prayers, which are like unto sweet-smelling myrrhe and frankincense, below, chap.5.13. I being and remaining there thine advocate with mine heavenly father.]

7. Thou art all fair, my Love, [Above, v.1. and chap.1.15. the spouse is called fair; here she is called fair; here she is called all fair: in regard she is all fair and perfect in Christ, Eph.5.v.25,26,27. Col.1.22. and 2.10. Rev.14.5.] and there is no blemish in thee. [see of the word, blemish, Proverbs 9.on v.7.]

8. With me from Libanon, O Spouse, come with me from Libanon: look from the top [Or, point. Hebr. The head] of Amana, from the top of Senir and Hermon, from the dwellings of the Lionesses, [Or, of the Lions] from the mountains of the Leopards. [Christ speaketh this unto his Spouse, of whom he said immediately before, that she was all fair, or altogether fair. The meaning is, Come to me into heaven, which thou now seest and beholdest by faith, as if thou sweat and beheldest the land of Canaan, from the top of the mountains round about that are here named, which are yet under the possession and dominion of tyrants, who are here to be understood by the Lions and the Leopards, see Psal.57.4. Some understand here by these mountains lying at or nigh divers corners of the land of Juda, not onely the calling and conversion of the Jews, but also of the Gentiles scattered in the four corners of the world. (O spouse!) Thus the church is called here, and in the sequel, in respect of her spiritual marriage with Christ, her Bridegroom, which shall be consummated and solemnized on the Marriage-day in Heaven, see Rev.21.2. and 19.7. John 3:29. 2 Cor.11.2. Eph.2.25. Libanon or Libanus was indeed a pleasant place, Deut.3.25. But being compared with other fruitful places, it was a kind of wilderness, Jerem.29.17. and like a haunt of wild beasts or hunting-place, 2 Kings 14:9. Whereunto respect is had in this place. Yet in other places of Scripture Libanus signifieth excellent and delightful things, in respect of the abundance of the fair trees that grew on it, as below, chap.5.9. and 5.15. Amana is a mountain in Syria, where there was a valley and also a River, that bare the same name, otherwise called Abana, 2 Kings 5:12. Strabo, lib.14. saith, that this mountain was possessed by divers tyrants. Of the mountains Senir and Hermon, see Deut.3.v.9. Senir is to be taken here for apart of mount Hermon. Hermon is a famous mountain, of which we may read, Psal.42.7. and 89.13. It is otherwise called Sion, with an S, Deut.4.48. (From the dwellings of the Lionesses, from the mountains of the Leopards.) Some understand withal, being delivered and freed, thou shalt see the danger wherein thou wast: And on the other side, thou shalt see the blessed state and condition where into thou art brought. Or some such like thing, see 1 Cor.6.v.9,10,11.]

9. Thou hast taken the heart from me, [Or, thou hast taken mine heart: or, hast ravished, or wounded mine heart; to wit, by love, see Isa.62.5. The Hebrew word signifieth, Thou hast hearted, or unhearted me. The meaning is, thou hast gained my love and favour, notwithstanding thy manifold sins and infirmities] my Sister, [thus the church is called, in regard that Christ is the brother of us all, having taken our nature (that is, our flesh and blood) upon him, and by faith made us children of God, and joint-heirs with him. See Matth.12.50. John 1:13. Rom.8.16,17. Heb.2.11.] O spouse; thou hast taken the heart from me, [and therefore thou mayest rest satisfied and contented, being fully assured, that I will never leave nor forsaken thee] with one of thine eyes, [that is, thou gainest the heart from me, by true faith, whereby thou beholdest and imbracest me, as thy loving Bridegroom. Without faith we cannot any wise please God, Heb.11.6.] with one chain of thy neck. [to wit, hanging about thy neck; that is, with the ornament of thy works proceeding from true faith, see Prov.1.9. This chain we have not of our selves, but by the grace of God, as appeareth above, chap.1.11. God crowneth his own gifts in us.]

10. How fair is thy surpassing love, [That is, how delightful and acceptable is it unto me, to discern thy love towards me? See above, chap.1.vers.2. This love consisteth in the keeping of Christs commandments, 1 John 2.v.3 4,5.] my sister, O Spouse! How much better is thy surpassing love then wine? See the annotate. Above, chap.1.on v.2. and 4.] and the smell of thine oils, [understand by oils or ointments the gifts and grapes of the spirit, which the church received, see Psal.45.8. and 133.2. 1 Joh.2.20. and 27. Above, ch.1.3. The spouse commendeth the savour of the oils or ointments of the Bridegroom, see the annotate. There: so the Bridegroom here commendeth the oils or ointments of the Spouse, see Isa.62.4,5.] then all spices? [that is, sweet-smelling made, Exod.30.23. see likewise, 2 Chron.ch.9.v.1.9. and 16.14. Esth.2.12.]

11. Thy lips, [Wherewith thou callest upon God, preaches his Word, praisest and glorifies his Name, and edifies thy neighbor] O Spouse, drop of the honey-comb; [that is, thy words and sayings are as pleasant and acceptable unto me, as the honey-comb is unto men, see likewise this similitude, Psal.119.10.103.] honey and milk are under thy tongue, [this signifieth the same that was said immediately before, see 1 Pet.2.2.] and the smell of thy garments [that is, thy good works] is like the smell of Libanon. [Upon Mount Libanon grew many sweet-smelling trees and herbs, especially frankincense trees, from which Mount Libanon hath its name; for Lebona signifieth frankincense. In Hos.14.5,6,7. God promiseth unto Israel that his smell or savour should be like unto Libanon, by the dew of his grace, see 2 Cor.2.14,15.]

12. My sister, O spouse, thou art a garden inclosed, [Or a garden bolted, shut close, looked with a look. Hereby is signified, the immaculate or undefiled spiritual purity and chastity of the church, who giveth no admission or access unto strange wooers or seducers. But others understand this of Gods defence and protection, who keepeth and preserveth his church from wild beasts; that is, from, cruel tyrants. In Isa.chap.5. God compareth his church to a vine inclosed or fenced in. And Zach.2.5. he promiseth that he will be a wall of fire round about Jerusalem] a well shut up, [out of which springeth the clear and pure water of the Gospel, whereby the sad hearts and minds of believers are refreshed and comforted, Psal.23.2. according to the promise which God maketh to his church, Isa.58.v.11. And therefore this well or spring is said to be shut up, because this water of grace pertaineth only to those that are members of the church. No man cometh unto it, but by Christ] a fountain sealed. [understand hereby the assurance or confirmation of grace, which Christ affordeth unto his church, see 2 Cor.1.22. Eph.1.13. yea, unto his church onely; for a thing that is sealed, is not made common, or imparted unto others, see Isa.8.16.]

13. Thy shoots, [Or, thy plants, branches, sprigs] are a Paradise [or, garden of pleasure, fair orchard. It signifieth properly a place beset, or planted with trees, as appeareth by Eccles.2.5. It is likewise sometimes taken for a wood or forest, Nehem.2.8.] of pomegranates, [that is, the faithful members of the church are abundantly adorned and filled with good works, as a pomegranate is full of kernels: they are like fruitful trees planted by the fresh waters, Psal.1.3. and 92.13.] with precious fruits, [or excellent transcendent fruits. Understand hereby the good works of believers, which are pleasing and acceptable unto God, as pomegranates and other pleasant fruits are unto men] Cyprus with Spikenard. [Of Cyprus, see above, chap.1.14. Hebr. Cyprusses with Spikenards, or, much Cyprus with much spikenard. Therefore the word Spikenard is here put in the plural number, and vers.14. in the singular number, because there be divers sorts or kinds of Spikenard; or understand here the leaves of Cyprus and Spikenard, which likewise have a pleasant smell.]

14. Spikenard and Saffron, Calamus, [Oth. Sweet-reed] and Cynamon, [Calamus and Cynamon, as also Myrrhe, were used in the holy oil, Exod.30.23 to 34.] with all manner of trees of frankincense, [that is, of such trees as Produce frankincense] Myrrhe and Aloes, [or tree of lign-aloes, see Numb.24.6. Pro.7.17. and Psal.45.9.] together with all the chief spices. [Hebr. All head-spices; that is, all kind of chief spices, see Exod.30.on v.23. Understand withal from verse 13. Are thy shoots or branches. And by these pleasant sweet-smelling herbs or spices, are signified the manifold gifts and graces of the Holy ghost, wherewith the godly are indued, see 1 Cor.chap.12.vers5,6. &c. Galat.5.v.22,23. 1 Pet.4.10.]

15. O fountain of gardens, well of living waters, which flow from Libanon! [With these words the Spouse commendeth her Bridegroom, who indueth her with abundance of waters, that is, with many excellent spiritual gifts or grapes, wherewith all the gardens, that is, all the churches or Congregations are watered and moistened, to bear and bring forth fruits in abundance, see Isa.ch.58.v.11. (Well of living waters;) that is, of perpetual waters, continually running, never drying up or putrifying, but always refreshing and comforting men with their pleasantness, see Gen.26.on v.19. Such kind of water Christ giveth to those that are his, John 4.v.10,14. And 7.38,39. And Isa.12.3. (which flow from Libanon.) It seemeth that here respect is had to the River of Jordan, which taketh its rise at the foot of Libanon, and runneth along through the land of promise, watering it. It is said, Rev.22.1. that there proceeded out of the Throne of God, and of the Lamb (which is Christ) a pure stream of living water.]

16. Awake, [Or arise, rise up] (O) North-wind, and come thou South-wind, and blow through [It is God that bringeth forth the winds out of his treasures, Psal.135.7.] my garden, [observe, that the church calleth this garden, her garden, likewise, his garden, in the words following; to wit, the garden of Christ, and that in divers respect. Christ is the owner and heir of this garden, but the pastors and Over-seers of this garden; that is, the church, wherein also every member hath spiritual fellowship and communion, 1 Cor.3.9.] that the spices thereof may flow out: [that is, the savour and smell may be spread abroad] O that my best-beloved would come into his garden, and eat his precious fruits. [that is, O that he would enjoy the fruits which by the power and working of his Spirit, we bring forth unto him, and whereby we are bound to honour him, Rom.6.22. Of precious fruits, see above, v.13. In the words of this verse is expressed a further blessing, which God bestoweth upon his garden; that is, upon his church; to wit, that the winds do blow upon it, to refresh and revive it, and to purge and cleanse the air, and so to make the garden thereby the more fruitful. Understand here by the wind, the Holy Ghost, as John 3:8. and Acts 2:2. And although the South and North-wind be of divers qualities and operations, the one being cold, the other warm; the one moist, the other dry; yet they are both beneficial and profitable to this Garden, or to the Church of God, which hath sometimes need of sharp reproofs, and sometimes of calmes, and sweet comforts and consolations.]