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Song of Solomon Chapter Seven                            

 

Song of Solomon 7 Outlines

Expressions of Praise (v.1~13)

New King James Version (NKJV)

 

INTRODUCTION TO SONG OF SOLOMON 7

In this chapter Christ gives a fresh commendation of the beauty of his church in a different order and method than before; beginning with her "feet" and so rising upwards to the "hair" of her head and the roof of her mouth Song of Solomon 7:1; And then the church asserts her interest in him and his desire towards her Song of Solomon 7:10; and invites him to go with her into the fields villages and vineyards and offers various reasons by which she urges him to comply with her invitation Song of Solomon 7:11.

 

Song of Solomon 7:1 The Beloved  How beautiful are your feet in sandals O prince’s daughter! The curves of your thighs are like jewels The work of the hands of a skillful workman.
   YLT  
1As the chorus of `Mahanaim.' How beautiful were thy feet with sandals O daughter of Nadib. The turnings of thy sides [are] as ornaments Work of the hands of an artificer.

How beautiful are thy feet with shoes .... It is no unusual thing to describe the comeliness of women by their feet and the ornaments of them; so Hebe is described by HomerF4Odyss. 11. v. 602 603. "Auratos pedes" Ovid. Amor. l. 3. Eleg. 12. as having beautiful feet and Juno by her golden shoes: particular care was taken of and provision made for the shoes of queens and princesses in the eastern countries; HerodotusF5Euterpe sivw l. 2. c. 98. tells us that the city of Anthylla was given peculiarly to the wife of the king of Egypt to provide her with shoes; which custom he says obtained when Egypt became subject to Persia; See Gill on Esther 2:18. Shoes of a red or scarlet or purple colour were in esteem with the Jews; and so the Targum here is

"purple shoes:'

the word used is thought by someF6Vid. Braunium de Vest. Sacerd. Heb. l. 1. p. 295 306. to signify a colour between scarlet and purple; see Ezekiel 16:10; and also with the Tyrian virginsF7"Virginibus Tyrriis mos est" &c. Virgil. Aeneid. 1. ; and so with the RomansF8Vid. Persii Satyr. 5. v. 169. Virgil. Bucolic. Eclog. 7. v. 32. ; and with whom likewise white shoesF9"Pes maslus in niveo" &c. Ovid. de Arte Amandi l. 3. Vid. Martial. l. 7. Epigr. 27. were much in use. That this is said of the church is plain from the appellation of her

O Prince's daughter! the same with the King's daughter Psalm 45:13; the daughter of the King of kings; for being espoused to Christ his Father is her Father and his God her God: besides she is born of him who is the Prince of the kings of the earth 1 John 2:28; she is both a Prince's wife and a Prince's daughter. It may be rendered "O noble" or "princely daughter"F11בת נדיב "puella nobills" Castalio; "filia voluntarie" Marckius; "principalis nobills et ingenua virgo sc. filia" so some in Michaelis. ! being of a free princely spirit in opposition to a servile one Psalm 51:12; of a bountiful and liberal spirit as in Isaiah 32:5; in distributing temporal things to the necessities of the poor; and in communicating spiritual things to the comfort and edification of others. Some take these to be the words of the daughters of Jerusalem wondering at the church's beauty on turning herself to them as they desired: but they are rather the words of Christ; who observing the church speak so meanly of herself in order to encourage her gives a high commendation of her in this and some following verses and begins with her "feet"; not her ministers who are "shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace" Ephesians 6:15 and who appear beautiful in the eyes of those who have any knowledge of the good things they publish and proclaim; for they are set in the highest place in the church: but here the lowest and meanest members of the church are meant; whose outward walk the feet are the instruments of may be said to be "beautiful with shoes" when they are ready to every good work; when their conversation is ordered aright is agreeably to the word of God and as becomes the Gospel of Christ; and which like shoes is a fence against the briers and thorns the reproaches and calumnies of the world; and when there is such a lustre upon it that it cannot but be seen and observed by spectators by which they are excited to glorify God it is so beautiful in the eyes of Christ that to such he shows the salvation of God;

the joints of thy thighs are like jewels the work of the hands of a cunning workman; a skilful artificer a goldsmith or jeweller: the allusion seems to be to some ornaments about the knees or legs wore by women in those times; see Isaiah 3:18; and this may serve to set off the lustre and beauty of the church's conversation. And since it seems not so decent to describe the parts themselves mentioned the words may rather design the "femoralia" or garments with which they were covered; and may signify the garments of salvations and robe of Christ's righteousness whereby the church's members are covered so that their nakedness is not seen; but with them are as richly adorned bridegroom and bride with their ornaments and which are not the bungling work of a creature but of one that is God as well as man and therefore called the righteousness of God. Some have thought that the girdle about the loins is meant the thighs being put for the loins Genesis 46:26; and so may intend the girdle of truth mentioned along with the preparation of the Gospel of peace the feet are said to be shod with Ephesians 6:14; and the metaphor of girding is used when a Gospel conversation is directed to Luke 12:35. But it seems best by these "joints" or "turnings of the thighs"F12חמוקי "vertebra" Pagninus Montanus Vatablus; "signat illam agilem versatilem juncturam qua capite femorum in suis foraminibus expedite moventur" Brightman. by which they move more orderly and regularly to understand the principles of the walk and conversation of saints as one observesF13Durham in loc. ; without which it cannot be ordered aright; for principles denominate actions good and bad; and the principles of grace by which believers move in their Christian walk are as valuable and as precious as jewels such as faith and love and a regard to the glory of God; and which are curiously wrought by the finger of God by his Holy Spirit who "works in them both to will and to do of his good pleasure" Philemon 2:13.

 

Song of Solomon 7:2 2 Your navel is a rounded goblet; It lacks no blended beverage. Your waist is a heap of wheat Set about with lilies.
   YLT  
2Thy waist [is] a basin of roundness It lacketh not the mixture Thy body a heap of wheat fenced with lilies

Thy navel is like a round goblet .... According to some not the navel itself is meant; but a covering of it a jewel or plate of gold in the shape of it; and because the word for "round" in the Chaldee language signifies the "moon" and so Ben Melech interprets it some have thought of the "round tire like the moon" Isaiah 3:18; though that was rather an ornament about the neck. Bishop Patrick is of opinion that it refers to "the clothing of wrought gold" Psalm 45:13; which had on the part that covered the belly a raised embossed work resembling a heap or sheaves of wheat; about which was an embroidery of curious flowers particularly lilies; and in the midst of the whole a fountain or conduit running with several sorts of liquor into a great bowl or basin: and Fortunatus ScacchusF14Eleochrysm. Sacr. l. 3. p. 1016. interprets it of a garment covering this part embroidered with lilies. All which may represent the beautiful robe of Christ's righteousness the church is adorned with. But rather the part itself is meant and designs the ministers of the Gospel; who in the administration of the word and ordinances are that to the church as the navel is to a human body; that is in an eminent part of it is the strength of the intestines conduces much to the health of the body and by which the child in the womb is supposed to receive its nourishment: ministers are set in the highest place in the church; are strong in themselves through the grace and power of Christ and the means of strengthening others; and of keeping the church a good plight and healthful state by the wholesome words and sound doctrines they preach; and also of nourishing souls in embryo and when new born with the sincere milk of the word: and as the navel is said to be like a "round goblet" cup bowl or basin this aptly describes that part; and may express the perfection of Gospel ministers their gifts and grace not in an absolute but comparative sense the round or circular form being reckoned the most perfect; and also the workmanship bestowed on them the gifts and grace of the Spirit a round goblet being turned and formed by some curious artist; and likewise their capacity to hold and retain Gospel truths. And they are compared not to an empty one but to one

which wanteth not liquor; meaning the large and never failing supplies of gifts and grace from Christ; so that they never want the liquor the oil and wine of Gospel truths to communicate to others Zechariah 4:12. The word used signifies a "mixture" or a "mixed liquor"F15המזג κραμα Sept. "mixtio" Mercerus Junius & Tremellius Piscator; "mixtura" Marckius Michaelis. as of wine and milk Song of Solomon 5:1; or rather of wine and water much used in the eastern countries; so the wine of Sharon used to be mixed two parts water and one wineF16T. Bab. Sabbat fol. 77. 1. Nidda fol. 19. 1. : and this designs not a mixture of divine truths and human doctrines which ought not to be made; but the variety of Gospel truths ministers deliver to others and that in a manner they are most capable of receiving them. SomeF17So Junius & Tremellius Ainsworth. render the words as a wish "let there not want" &c. and so they declare the tender concern of Christ that his church might have a continual supply in the ministry of the word;

thy belly is like a heap of wheat; which denotes the fruitfulness of the church in bringing souls to Christ comparable to a pregnant woman; and whose fruit young converts born in her are compared to "a heap of wheat" for their number choiceness and solidity being able to bear the fan of persecution: it was usual with the Jews to scatter wheat on the heads of married persons at their weddings three times saying "increase and multiply"F18Vid. Selden. Uxor. Heb. l. 2. c. 15. p. 195. ; see Isaiah 66:8. This heap of wheat is said to be "set about" or "hedged with lilies"F19סוגה πεφραγμηνη Sept. "vallatus" V. L. "circumseptus" Tigurine version Michaelis; "septus" Pagninus Montanus Brightman Cocceius Marckius & alii. ; which suggests that it was not a heap of wheat on the corn floor which is meant but a field of standing wheat enclosed and fenced not with thorns but lilies; and these lilies may signify grown saints who are often compared to lilies in this book by whom young converts are encompassed and defended; or the beauties of holiness in which they appear as soon as born again Psalm 110:3.

 

Song of Solomon 7:3 3 Your two breasts are like two fawns Twins of a gazelle.
   YLT  
3Thy two breasts as two young ones twins of a roe

Thy two breasts are like two young roes that are twins. See Gill on Song of Solomon 4:5.

 

Song of Solomon 7:4 4 Your neck is like an ivory tower Your eyes like the pools in Heshbon By the gate of Bath Rabbim. Your nose is like the tower of Lebanon Which looks toward Damascus.
   YLT  
4Thy neck as a tower of the ivory Thine eyes pools in Heshbon near the gate of Bath-Rabbim Thy face as a tower of Lebanon looking to Damascus

Thy neck is as a tower of ivory .... Two things recommend the neck erectness and whiteness; both are here expressed the one by a "tower" the other by "ivory"; hence a fine beautiful neck is called an ivory oneF20"Eburnea cervix" Ovid. Epist. 20. v. 57. "Eburnea colla" ib. Metamorph. l. 3. Feb. 6. v. 422. & l. 4. Fab. 5. v. 335. ; and for the same reason it sometimes has the epithet of "snowy"F21Ovid. Amor. l. 2. Eleg. 4. v. 41. and sometimes of "marble"F23Ib. Fasti l. 4. v. 135. Virgil. Georgic. 4. in fine. . Of the church's neck as it may design either the ministers of the word or the Scriptures of truth; see Gill on Song of Solomon 4:4; where it is compared to "the tower of David" and here to "a tower of ivory": Marckius conjectures that they may be the same or that this is the name of vine ancient structure known at this time; however it is used as expressive of the purity of the lives of Gospel ministers and the evenness of their doctrines and of the purity beauty glory axial harmony of the Scriptures;

thine eyes like the fish pools in Heshbon by the gate of Bathrabbim; Heshbon was formerly the seat of Sihon king of the Amorites Numbers 22:26; of which Bathrabbim was one of its gates; so called either because it led to Rabbath a city near it and mentioned with it Jeremiah 49:3; or because of the great numbers that went in and out by it; for it may be rendered "the daughter of many" or "of great ones"F24בת רבים θυγατρος πολλων Sept. "filiae muititudinis" V. L. "magnatum" Montanus; "nobilium" Pagninus. : near this gate it seems were very delightful fish pools to which the eyes of the church are compared. In the Hebrew language the word for eyes and fountains is the same; the eyes having humours in them and so fitly compared to fish pools. Of the eyes of the church as they may design either the ministers of the word or the eyes of her understanding particularly faith; see Gill on Song of Solomon 1:15; here they are said to be like "fish pools" whose waters are clear quiet constant and immovable; and seen at a distance between trees and groves look very beautiful: and if applied to ministers may denote the clearness of their sight in discerning the truths of the Gospel; and their being filled with the fulness of the blessing of the Gospel of Christ; and their being blessings to the churches of Christ and to the souls of men the word for "fish pools" comes from a word which signifies "to bless"F25ברכות a rad. ברך "benedixit". ; and such being observed as were near the gate of Bathrabbim may have respect to the multitude that attend their ministry and receive benefit by it; in which they are constant and invariable and all of a piece and appear very beautiful to those to whom they are useful. And if applied to the church's eyes of understanding those of faith and knowledge may denote the perspicuity of them in the discernment of spiritual things; and the fixedness and immovableness of them on the person blood and righteousness of Christ; looking alone to him and off of every other object and so very attractive to him and beautiful in his sight as well as their abounding with the waters of evangelic repentance and humiliation; see Song of Solomon 4:9;

thy nose is as the tower of Lebanon which looketh towards Damascus; a tower on that part of Mount Lebanon which faced Damascus which lay in a plain and so open to view as well as exposed to winds; hence called by LucanF26Pharsal. l. 3. v. 215. Ventosa Damascus; which tower was so high as AdrichomiusF1Theatrum Terrae Sanctae p. 100. says that from thence might be numbered the houses in Damascus: by which also may be meant the ministers of the word; nor need it seem strange that the same should be expressed by different metaphors since the work of ministers is of different parts; who as they are as eyes to see so like the nose to smell; and having a spiritual discerning of Gospel truths both savour them themselves and diffuse the savour of them to others; and are both the ornament and defence of the church: the former is signified by the "nose" which is an ornament of the face and the latter by the "tower of Lebanon" and this is looking towards Damascus the inhabitants of which were always enemies to the people of Israel; and so may denote the vigilance and courage of faithful ministers who watch the church's enemies and their motions and with a manful courage face and attack them. Moreover this description may respect the majesty and magnanimity of the church herself; the former may be intimated by her nose which when of a good size and well proportioned adds much grace and majesty to the countenance; and the latter by its being compared to the impregnable tower of Lebanon looking towards Damascus signifying that she was not afraid to look her worst enemies in the face: or the whole may express her prudence and discretion in spiritual things: by which she can distinguish truth from error and espy dangers afar off and guard against them.

 

Song of Solomon 7:5 5 Your head crowns you like Mount Carmel And the hair of your head is like purple; A king is held captive by your tresses.

   YLT  5Thy head upon thee as Carmel And the locks of thy head as purple The king is bound with the flowings!

Thine head upon thee is like Carmel .... Set with hair thick and long as Carmel with plants and trees. Now Christ is the church's Head in various senses; he is her federal and representative Head in eternity and time; her political Head as a King to his subjects; an economical Head as the husband to the wife as parents to their children and a master to servants; and as such may be compared to Carmel; for the multitude dependent on him whom he represents and is connected with under various relations; for his height being higher than the kings of the earth and all other heads; and for fruitfulness all the fruits of the church and of all true believers coming from him. Some render the word "as crimson" or "scarlet"F2ככרמל "veluti coccinum" Pagninus Vatablus Mercerus; "simile est coccineo" Junius & Tremellius; "est ut coccus" Piscator; so Ainsworth; "sicut carmesinum" Schindler. ; which may set forth his royal dignity and majesty this colour being wore by kings and great personages; or the ardent love of Christ to his body the church and the members of it; or his bloody sufferings for them;

and the hair of thine head like purple; purple coloured hair has been in great esteem. Of this colour was the hair of King Nysus according to the fableF3Ovid. Metamorph. l. 8. Fab. 1. v. 301. De Arte Amandi l. 1. & de Remed. Amor. l. 1. v. 68. Hygin. Fab. 198. Pausan. Attica p. 33. ; and so the hair of Evadne and of the MusesF4Pindar. Olymp. Ode 6. Pyth. Ode 1. v. 2. were of a violet colour; the hair of Ulysses is saidF5Homer. Odyss. 6. v. 231. & 23. v. 155. to be like to the hyacinth flower which is of a purple or violet colour; and MiltonF6Paradise Lost Book 4. calls the first Adam's hair hyacinthine locks; and here in a figurative sense the second Adam's hair is said to be like purple. By which believers that grow on Christ the Head of the church nay be meant who have their dependence on him and their strength and nourishment from him; see Song of Solomon 4:1; and these may be said to be like "purple" because of their royal dignity being made kings unto God by Christ; and because of their being washed in the purple blood of Christ; and because of the sufferings they endure for his sake; and especially such may be so compared who have spilt their blood and laid down their lives on his account;

the king is held in the galleries; the same with the Head of the church the King of Zion and King of saints whose kingdom is a spiritual and everlasting one: and by the "galleries" in which he is held may be meant the ordinances of the Gospel; where Christ and his people walk and converse together; where he discloses the secrets of his heart to them leads them into a further acquaintance with his covenant and the blessings and promises of it; and from whence they have delightful views of his person and fulness; see the King in his beauty and behold the good land which is afar off: the same word as here is rendered "rafters" and by some "canals" in Song of Solomon 1:17; See Gill on Song of Solomon 1:17. Now Christ being said to be "held in these galleries" may signify his fixed habitation in his house and ordinances; where he has promised to dwell and delights to be; and where he is as it were fastened to them and hatred in them.

 

Song of Solomon 7:6 6 How fair and how pleasant you are O love with your delights!
   YLT  
6How fair and how pleasant hast thou been O love in delights.

How fair and how pleasant art thou O love for delights! These are the words of the King in the galleries wondering at the church's beauty it being incomparable and inexpressible it could not be said well how great it was; and expressing the strength of his love to her which was invariably the same as ever. Of the "fairness" of the church and of this title "love" see Song of Solomon 1:9; and here she is said also to be "pleasant" to him as his spouse and bride in whom he takes infinite delight and pleasure loving her with a love of complacency and delight; and therefore adds "for delights" which he had in her before the world was Proverbs 8:31. She was all delightF7"Meae deliciae" Plauti Stichus Act. 5. Sc. 5. to him; her words her actions and gestures her comely countenance her sweet and pleasant voice in prayer and praise her ravishing looks of faith and love her heavenly airs and evangelic walk; in all which she appeared beautiful and delightful beyond all human thought and expression.

 

Song of Solomon 7:7 7 This stature of yours is like a palm tree And your breasts like its clusters.
   YLT  
7This thy stature hath been like to a palm And thy breasts to clusters.

This thy stature is like to a palm tree .... Made up of the above parts commended and others had in view as appears from the relative "this". The word for "stature" properly signifies height tallness and erectness; and which were reckoned agreeable in women as well as men; See Gill on 1 Samuel 9:2; hence methods are often made use of to make them look taller as by their head dresses their shoes and by stretching out their necks Isaiah 3:16; and the simile of a tree is not an improper one: and so Galatea is for height and tallness compared to an alder and to a plane treeF8Ovid. Metamorph. l. 13. Fab. 8. ; and Helena to a cypress tree in a gardenF9Theocrit. Idyll. 18. v. 30. on the same account; and here the church to a palm tree: the Egyptian palm tree is said to be the bestF11A. Gellii Nect. Attic. l. 7. c. 16. Vid. Strabo. Geograph. l. 17. p. 563. ; and if Solomon here has any reference to Pharaoh's daughter his wife he might think of that which is described

"of body straight high round and slenderF12Sandys's Travels l. 2. p. 79. '

and fitly expresses a good shape and stature. The church's stature is no other than the "stature of the fulness of Christ" Ephesians 4:13; which will be attained unto when all the elect are gathered in and every member joined to the body and all filled with the gifts and graces of the spirit designed for them and are grown up to a just proportion in the body; and in such a state Christ seems to view his church and so commends her by this simile: saints are oftentimes compared to palm trees in Scripture on other accounts; see Psalm 92:12;

and thy breasts to clusters of grapes; on a vine which might be planted by and run up upon a palm tree as Aben Ezra suggests: though rather clusters of dates the fruit of the palm tree are designed since this fruit as PlinyF13Nat. Hist. l. 13. c. 4. observes grows in clusters; and to clusters of the vine the church's breasts are compared in Song of Solomon 7:8. And by these "breasts" may be meant either the ministers of the Gospel who communicate the sincere milk of the word to souls; and may be compared to clusters for their numbers when there is plenty of them which is a great mercy to the church; and for their unity likeness and agreement in their work in their ministrations and in the doctrine they preach though their gifts may be different; or else the two Testaments full of the milk of the word; and comparable to "clusters" of grapes or dates because of the many excellent doctrines and precious promises in them; which when pressed by hearing reading meditation and prayer yield both delight and nourishment to the souls of men. Some think the two ordinances of the Gospel baptism and the Lord's supper are intended which are breasts of consolation; and when the presence of Christ and the manifestations of his love are enjoyed in them they afford much pleasure and satisfaction; and as those breasts are full in themselves they are beautiful in the eye of Christ and as such commended; See Gill on Song of Solomon 4:5.

 

Song of Solomon 7:8 8 I said “I will go up to the palm tree I will take hold of its branches.” Let now your breasts be like clusters of the vine The fragrance of your breath like apples
   YLT  
8I said `Let me go up on the palm Let me lay hold on its boughs Yea let thy breasts be I pray thee as clusters of the vine And the fragrance of thy face as citrons

I said I will go up to the palm tree .... Which is easy of ascent; having in the bark of the trunk or body of the tree rings like steps whereby the eastern people climb it with incredible swiftness as PlinyF14Ibid. So Sandys's Travels l. 2. p. 79. relates: these steps are made by the lower boughs being lopped off whose knots or "pollices" as Dr. ShawF15Travels tom. 1. p. 142. Edit. 2. calls them being gradually left upon the trunk of the tree serve like so many rungs of a ladder to climb up the tree; either to fecundate it or to lop it or to gather the fruit; and Lucian saysF16De Dea Syria.

"those that have seen how men get up into palm trees in Arabia Egypt and other places must needs understand what he says about climbing the Phalli in the temple of Hierapolis in Syria he is describing.'

By the "palm tree" may be meant the church militant who yet gets the victory over all her enemies of which the palm tree is an emblem; and Christ's "going up" to it is expressive of his right to it and property in it which he has by his Father's gift his own purchase and the power of his grace and may go up to it when he pleases; also of his presence with his church and of the delight he takes in her viewing her stature fruit and flourishing circumstances;

I will take hold of the boughs thereof; either to crop them the tops of them which of the first year's growth are very tender and sweet and may be eatenF17Vid. Buxtorf. Lex. Talmud. in rad. קור col. 2005. ; the top of the palm tree is said to be very sweetF18Plutarch. de San. Tuend. vol. 2. p. 133. Plin. Nat. Hist. l. 13. c. 4. ; and which some call the "cerebrum" or brain of it and is spoken of as very pleasant and nourishingF19Athenaei Deipnosophist. l. 2. c. 28. p. 71. : or to gather the fruit on them; his own grace in exercise and good works performed under the influence of it; see Song of Solomon 4:16; or to prune them; which he does by the ministry of the word reproving sin and refuting error; and by afflictive providences purging away sin; and by suffering persecution to befall his churches whereby he clears them of carnal professors and lops off withered and fruitless branches;

now also thy breasts shall be as clusters of the vine; round full soft and succulent like the berries of the vine tree the grapes that grow in clusters on it; of these; see Gill on Song of Solomon 7:7;

and the smell of thy nose like apples; See Gill on Song of Solomon 7:4. Here it may denote the inward constitution and outward conduct of the church which were sound and healthful; she had an inward principle of grace from whence proceeded a savoury conduct a savoury breath a holy breathing after divine and spiritual things: or it may intend the things she had a savour of as divine truths and excellent doctrines comparable to "apples" Song of Solomon 2:5; and all spiritual and heavenly things when they have the presence of Christ and the quickening influences of his Spirit.

 

Song of Solomon 7:9 9 And the roof of your mouth like the best wine. The Shulamite The wine goes down smoothly for my beloved Moving gently the lips of sleepers.[a]
   YLT  
9And thy palate as the good wine --' Flowing to my beloved in uprightness Strengthening the lips of the aged!

And the roof of thy mouth like the best wine .... Which may intend either her taste as the word is rendered in Song of Solomon 2:3; by which she can distinguish good wine from bad truth from error; or her breath sweet and of a good smell like the best wine; the breathings of her soul in prayer which are sweet odours perfumed with the incense of Christ's mediation; or rather her speech the words of her mouth; the roof of the mouth being an instrument of speech; the same word is sometimes rendered "the mouth" Song of Solomon 5:16; and may denote both her speech in common conversation which is warming refreshing comforting and quickening; and in prayer and praise which is well pleasing and delightful to Christ; and especially the Gospel preached by her ministers comparable to the best wine for its antiquity being an ancient Gospel; for its purity unadulterated and free from mixture and as faithfully dispensed; its delight flavour and taste to such who have their spiritual senses exercised; and for its cheering refreshing and strengthening nature to drooping weary souls. It follows

for my beloved that goeth down sweetly; is received and taken down with all readiness by those who have once tasted the sweetness and felt the power of it. Or "that goeth to righteousnesses"F20למישרים "ad rectitudines" Montanus; "ad ea quae roetissima sunt" Tigurine version. ; leading to the righteousness of Christ for justification and teaching to live soberly and righteously: or "that goeth to my beloved straightway" or "directly"F21"Directe" Mercerus; "rectissime" Brightman. ; meaning either to his Father Christ calls his beloved to whose love the Gospel leads and directs souls as in a straight line as to the source of salvation and all the blessings of grace; or to himself by a "mimesis" whom the church calls so; the Gospel leading souls directly to him his person blood righteousness and sacrifice for peace pardon justification and atonement: or "that goeth to my beloved to uprightnesses"F23"Ad rectitudines" i.e. "rectos homines" Marckius Michaelis. ; that is to the church who is Christ's beloved consisting of upright men in heart and life whom Christ calls his beloved and his friends Song of Solomon 5:1; and whom Christ treats with his best wine his Gospel; and which is designed for them their pleasure profit comfort and establishment:

causing the lips of those that are asleep to speak; either such who are in the dead sleep of sin; who when the Gospel comes with power are quickened by it; and it produces in them humble confessions of sin; causes them to speak in praise of Christ and his grace and of the salvation which he has procured for lost sinners; it brings them to Zion to declare what great things God has done for them: or else drowsy professors in lifeless frames and much gone back in religion; who when aroused and quickened by the Gospel and brought out of their lethargy are ready to acknowledge their backslidings with shame; to speak meanly and modestly of themselves and very highly of Christ and his grace who has healed their backslidings and still loves them freely; none more ready to exalt and magnify Christ and speak in praise of what he has done for them. Some render the words "causing the lips of ancient men to speak"F24ישנים "veterum" Pagninus; "antiquorum" Vatablus. ; whose senses are not so quick nor they so full of talk as in their youthful days: wherefore this serves to commend this wine; that it should have such an effect as to invigorate ancient men and give them a juvenile warmth and sprightliness and make them loquacious which is one effect of wine when freely drunkF25Philoxenus apud Athenaei Deipnosoph. l. 2. c. 1. p. 25. Vid. T. Bab. Sanhedrin fol. 38. 1. ; and softens the moroseness of ancient menF26Philoxenus apud Athenaei Deipnosoph. l. 11. c. 3. p. 463. : wine is even said to make an ancient man danceF1Ibid. l. 4. c. 4. p. 134. l. 10. c. 7. p. 428. .

 

Song of Solomon 7:10 10 I am my beloved’s And his desire is toward me.

   YLT  10I [am] my beloved's and on me [is] his desire.

I am my beloved's .... These are the words of the church strongly expressing the assurance of faith she had of her union to Christ and interest in him; which shows that "that" grace is attainable and that there may be a continuation of the exercise of it; it may be expressed again and again as it is by the church in this Song Song of Solomon 2:16; and that the exercise of it often follows upon the enjoyment of Christ's presence as here upon his going tap to the palm tree; and that this grace has no tendency to licentiousness but excites to duty and makes more careful in it of which Song of Solomon 7:11 is a proof "Come let us go forth" &c. Moreover these words may be considered as a modest acknowledgment of the church's that all she were and had were Christ's and came from him; all the beauty he had commended in her; all fruitfulness in grace and strength in the exercise of it; her light and knowledge in divine truths; her zeal and courage to defend them; her upright stature and holy walk and conversation and every good thing else were owing to his grace. And here she also makes a voluntary surrender of all to him again; as she received all from him she devotes all to him:

and his desire is towards me; and only to her as his spouse and bride: it was towards her from everlasting when he asked her of his Father and he gave her to him; and so it was in time to procure her salvation; hence he became incarnate and suffered and died in her stead: his desire is towards his people before conversion waiting to be gracious to them; and after conversion to have their company and their grace exercised on him and to behold their beauty; nor will his desires be fully satisfied until he has got them all with him in glory. And this phrase not only signifies the conjugal relation of the church to Christ he being her husband and she his wife the desire of his eyes as a wife is called Ezekiel 24:16; but takes in the whole care and concern of Christ for her as her husband; who sympathizes with her under all her distresses; protects her from all dangers and enemies; and provides everything necessary for her for time and eternity. Some render the words "seeing his desire is towards me"F2So Junius & Tremellius Piscator. ; therefore she expresses her faith in him and gives up herself to him.

 

Song of Solomon 7:11 11 Come my beloved Let us go forth to the field; Let us lodge in the villages.
   YLT  
11Come my beloved we go forth to the field

Come my beloved .... The word come is often used by Christ and here by the church in imitation of him; see Song of Solomon 2:10. This call is the call of the church upon Christ to make good his promise Song of Solomon 7:8; and is an earnest desire after the presence of Christ and the manifestations of his love; which desire is increased the more it is enjoyed; and it shows the sense she had of her own insufficiency for the work she was going about: she knew that visiting the several congregations of the saints would be to little purpose unless Christ was with her and therefore she urges him to it; not that he was backward and unwilling to go with her but he chooses to seem so to make his people the more earnest for his presence and to prize it the more when they have it; and it is pleasing to him to hear them ask for it. The endearing character "my beloved" is used by the church not only to express her affection for Christ and faith of interest in him but as an argument to engage him to go along with her. Her requests follow;

let us go forth into the field; from the city where she had been in quest of Christ and had now found him Song of Solomon 5:7; into the country for recreation and pleasure: the allusion may be to such who keep their country houses to which they retire from the city and take their walks in the fields to see how the fruits grow and enjoy the country air. The church is for going abroad into the fields; but then she would have Christ with her; walking in the fields yields no pleasure unless Christ is there; there is no recreation without him: the phrase expresses her desire of his presence everywhere at home and abroad in the city and the fields; and of her being with him alone that she might tell him all her mind and impart her love to him which she could better do alone than in company it may also signify her desire to have the Gospel spread in the world in the barren parts of it which looked like uncultivated fields the Gentile world; and so in one of the Jewish MidrashesF3Shir Hashirim Rabba in loc. these "fields" and the "villages" in the next clause are interpreted of the nations of the world;

let us lodge in the villages; which though places of mean entertainment for food and lodging yet Christ being with her were more eligible to her than the greatest affluence of good things without him; and being places of retirement from the noise and hurry of the city she chose them that she might be free of the cares of life and enjoy communion with Christ which she would have continued; and therefore was desirous of "lodging" at least all night as in Song of Solomon 1:13. SomeF4Junius & Tremellius Piscator Brightman Michaelis. render the words "by" "in" or "among the Cyprus trees"; see Song of Solomon 1:14; by which may be meant the saints comparable to such trees for their excellency fragrancy and fruitfulness; and an invitation to lodge by or with these could not be unwelcome to Christ they being the excellent in the earth in whom is all his delight.

 

Song of Solomon 7:12 12 Let us get up early to the vineyards; Let us see if the vine has budded Whether the grape blossoms are open And the pomegranates are in bloom. There I will give you my love.
   YLT  
12We lodge in the villages we go early to the vineyards We see if the vine hath flourished The sweet smelling-flower hath opened. The pomegranates have blossomed There do I give to thee my loves;

Let us get up early to the vineyards .... After a night's lodging in the fields or among the "Cyprus trees". By which "vineyards" may be meant particular churches gathered according to Gospel order and distinguished from the world planted with fruitful vines and fenced by almighty power: hither the church proposes to "get up early" very early in the morning; being willing to take the first and most seasonable opportunity of visiting the saints to know their state and condition; and that her visit might not be in vain she is for taking Christ along with her;

let us see if the vine flourish; true believers in Christ; who though weak and worthless in themselves yet being ingrafted in Christ the true vine bring forth fruit and become flourishing in grace and good works; of the flourishing or flowering of the vine; see Gill on Song of Solomon 2:13;

whether the tender grape appear; or when "the flower of the vine opens"F5פתח הסמדר "num si vel gemmas suas aperuerit flos vitis" Michaelis; to the same sense Pagninus Montanus Tigurine version Junius & Tremellius. and goes off and the small grape appears: by which young converts may be meant who are tender and have but a small degree of faith and knowledge; and yet these are not overlooked much less despised by Christ and his church but are delighted with the promising appearance they make;

and the pomegranates bud forth; stronger believers taller and more fruitful than the former; see Song of Solomon 4:13; the actings and exercise of whose grace are signified by "budding forth" in an open and visible manner: the church is concerned for the good and welfare of the saints of all ranks and sizes; of vines and pomegranates as well as tender grapes; and of the budding of the one as well as of the opening and flowering of the other. And seeing these ends proposed by her are the same with Christ's Song of Solomon 6:11; she might conclude they would prevail upon him to go with her particularly what follows:

there will I give thee my loves; in the fields villages and vineyards when alone and observing the state and condition of particular churches and saints; and having communion with Christ the church might hope and expect to have her heart enlarged and drawn forth in love to Christ more abundantly; and that she should be able to manifest it more largely to him and give clearer and fuller proofs of it: and this she observes in order to gain her point and get him to go along with her; knowing that her love in the actings and exercise of it was very acceptable to him Song of Solomon 4:10; I see not why the word for "loves" may not be rendered "my lovely flowers"; as a word nearly the same in Song of Solomon 7:13 is by some rendered "these lovely flowers give a good smell" which seems to refer to the flowers here; such as were to be met with in plenty in fields and vineyards among vines and pomegranates as lilies violets &c. and may be an allusion to lovers who used to give to those they loved sweet smelling flowersF6"Naias amat Thyrsin Glauce Almona Nisa Theonem; Nisa rosas Glauce violas dat lilia Nais". Cythereus Sidonius apud Auson. ; and here may signify the graces of the Spirit and the actings of them which are fragrant and acceptable to Christ.

 

Song of Solomon 7:13 13 The mandrakes give off a fragrance And at our gates are pleasant fruits All manner new and old Which I have laid up for you my beloved.

   YLT  13The mandrakes have given fragrance And at our openings all pleasant things New yea old my beloved I laid up for thee!

The mandrakes give a smell .... Or "those lovely flowers" as Junius and Tremellius and Piscator translate the words; even those the church proposed to give to her beloved when in the fields Some take them to be violets; others jessamine; others more probably liliesF7Pfeiffer. Dubia Vexata cent. 1. loc. 59. p. 79. ; as the circumstances of time and place when and where they flourished and their fragrant smell and figure like cups show. RaviusF8Dissert. de Dudaim. contends that the word signifies and should be rendered "the branches put forth their sweet smelling flowers"; and thinks branches of figs are meant which give a good smell agreeably to Song of Solomon 2:13; and which he supposes to be the use of the word in Jeremiah 24:1; and to his sense HeideggerF9Hist. Patriarch. tom. 2. exercit. 19. s. 9 15. agrees; only he thinks the word "branches" is not to be restrained to a particular species but may signify branches of sweet smelling flowers and fruits in general. LudolphusF11Hist. Ethiop. l. 1. c. 9. would have the fruit the Arabians call "mauz" or "muza" intended; which in the Abyssine country is as big as a cucumber and of the same form and shape fifty of which grow upon one and the same stalk and are of a very sweet taste and smell; from which cognation of a great many on the same stalk he thinks it took the name of "dudaim" the word here used and in Genesis 30:14. But the generality of interpreters and commentators understand by it the mandrakes; and so it is rendered by the Septuagint and in both the Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan on Genesis 30:14; but it is questionable whether the same plant that is known among us by that name is meant since it is of a strong ill scented and offensive smell; and so Pliny saysF12Nat. Hist. l. 25. c. 13. of it: though Dioscorides Levinus LemniusF13Herb. Bibl. Explic. l. 2. and AugustineF14Contr. Faustum l. 22. c. 56. (who says he saw the plant and examined it) say it is of a very sweet smell; which though it does not agree with the plant that now bears the name yet it does with that here intended; for though it is only said to give a smell no doubt a good one is meant and such Reuben's mandrakes gave. And by them here may be intended either the saints and people of God compared to them for their fragrancy being clad with the garments of Christ which smell of myrrh aloes and cassia and are anointed with the savoury ointments of the grace of the Spirit; whose prayers are sweet odours; and their works with their persons accepted with God in Christ: or rather the graces of the Spirit in lively exercise may be meant; such as those lovely flowers of faith hope love repentance patience self-denial humility thankfulness and others;

and at our gates are all manner of pleasant fruits; in distinction from the mandrakes and flowers in the fields Genesis 30:14; and in allusion to a custom in many countries to garnish the posts of the door of newly married persons with branches of trees and fruits and flowers; and at other festivals besides nuptial onesF15Vid. Plutarch. Amator. vol. 2. p. 755. & Barthium ad Claudian. de Nupt. Honor. v. 208. "Longos erexit janua ramos" Juvenal. Satyr. 12. v. 91. "Necte coronam postibus" Satyr. 6. v. 51 52. "Ornantur postes" v. 79. "Ornatas paulo ante fores" &c. v. 226 227. "Junua laureata" Tertull. ad Uxor. l. 2. c. 6. which made it inviting to enter in: and these "all manner of pleasant fruits" may denote the plenty variety and excellency of the blessings of grace and of the graces of the Spirit believers have from Christ; and of the doctrines and ordinances of the Gospel which are for their use; and may be said to be "at our gates" as being ready at hand in the hearts of saints and in the mouths of Gospel ministers; and open and visible held forth to public view in the word and ordinances; and which are administered at Wisdom's gates the gates of Zion where they are to be met with and had. And which are

new and old; denoting the plenty of grace and blessings of it of old laid up in Christ and from whom there are fresh supplies continually: or rather the doctrines of the Old and New Testament; which for matter and substance are the same; and with which the church and particularly her faithful ministers being furnished bring forth out of their treasure things new and old Matthew 13:52;

which I have laid up for thee O my beloved; Christ whom her soul loved; for though the above fruits the blessings promises and doctrines of grace which she laid up in her heart mind and memory to bring forth and make use of at proper times and seasons were for her own use and benefit and of all believers yet in all for the honour and glory of Christ the author and donor of them. Respect may be had to a custom with lovers to lay up fruits for those they love; at least such custom may be compared with thisF16"----Sunt poma gravantia ramos Sunt auro similes longis in vitibus uvae Sunt et purpureae tibi et has servamus et ilias". Ovid. Metamorph. l. 13. Fab. 8. .

 

──John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible

 

New King James Version (NKJV)

Footnotes:

  1. Song of Solomon 7:9 Septuagint Syriac and Vulgate read lips and teeth.