[Song of Solomon - General]
The Song of Solomon, though in the form of an oriental love song, is really an allegorical representation of the mutual love of Christ and the Church. R1517:4
Outline for study of the book. R4232*
[Song 1:1]
Song of songs —Harmony of harmonies. R4232:1*, R1517:4 Although Solomon's songs were 1005 (1 Kings 4:32) they were not all deemed of the Lord worthy of preservation as a portion of the sacred Scriptures. R2053:4 The figurative expressions of Solomon's Song should not be allowed to exercise fanciful impressions upon our minds of physical or sensuous manifestations of our heavenly Bridegroom's love and care. R4562:2*
Which Is Solomon's —Type of Christ in glory, as David was a type of Christ in the flesh. R4232:1*
[Song 1:2]
Let him kiss me —A form of salutation which has always signified closest fellowship. R4232:1*
With the kisses —The oft repeated endearments. R4232:1*
Of his mouth —Full heart recognition of the exceeding great and precious promises and their application to oneself. R4562:2* Does not indicate a physical manifestation of Christ's care. R4562:2* Of his Word, the Scriptures. R4232:1*
For thy love —Thy caresses, the repeated assurances of guidance, protection, companionship, love and care. R4232:1*
Is better than wine —Symbol of doctrine. R5633:2, R4232:1* The Lord's assurances of love are even more precious to the Church than are the precious doctrines so vital to her happiness. R4232:1*
[Song 1:3]
Because of the savour —Sweet perfume. R4232:2*
Good ointments —The holy Spirit, composed of myrrh (wisdom), cinnamon (understanding), calamus (knowledge), cassia (deputyship), the holy anointing oil of the priesthood. R4232:2*
Thy name —Christ, which means "anointed." R4232:2*
Is as ointment —Symbol of the holy Spirit. T37
Poured forth —At his baptism, upon the Head; at Pentecost, on the Body. R4232:2*
Therefore —Because of their admiration and appreciation of Christ's holy Spirit. R4232:2*
Do the virgins —The pure in heart. R4232:2*
Love thee —Seek fellowship with thee, aspire to learn of thee, to cultivate thy graces, to be near thee. R4232:2*
[Song 1:4]
Draw me —"No man can come to me except the Father draw him." (John 6:44) R4232:2*
We will run —Run with patience the race set before us; run for the prize (Heb. 12:1); so run that we may obtain. R4232:2*
After thee —The forerunner, the Head, that in all things he might have the preeminence. (Col. 1:18) R4232:3*
The king —The Lord Jesus, typified by Solomon. R4232:3*
Hath brought me —Even in the present life. R4232:3*
Into his chambers —Into the "Holy," the spirit-begotten condition. R4232:3*
We will be glad —"Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous." (Psa. 32:11) R4232:4*
And rejoice in thee —"And again I say, rejoice." (Phil. 4:4) R4232:4*
We will remember —Will meditate upon, think of. R4232:4*
Thy love —Thy caresses, assurances of guidance, protection, companionship, love and care. R4232:4*
More than wine —More even than the doctrines so precious to us. R4232:4*
The upright —Those without deceit, the guileless, the pure-hearted. R4232:4*
Love thee —Seek fellowship with thee, aspire to learn of thee, to cultivate thy graces, to be near thee. R4232:4*
[Song 1:5]
1 am black —The Ethiopian eunuch to whom Philip was sent was a black man. (Acts 8:27) The Queen of Sheba is presumed to have been a Negress. R3043:1; HG508:4 The bride of Moses, Zipporah, type of the Bride of Christ, was an Ethiopian woman. R4232:4*
But comely —The King's daughter is all glorious within (Psa. 45:13); her intentions are pure, spotless in God's sight. R4232:4*
O ye daughters —Professed children. R4232:4*
Of Jerusalem —Symbol of the Kingdom of God. A296; R4232:5*
Tents of Kedar —Kedar was one of the children of Ishmael. Their tents, though outwardly weather beaten, were often extremely luxurious inside, being hung with costly tapestries. R4232:5*
Curtains —Between the Holy and the Most Holy. R4232:5*
Of Solomon —Of Solomon's Temple. A similar one in Herod's Temple was a most wonderful curtain, being some 30 feet long, 15 feet wide and 5 inches thick. R4232:5*
[Song 1:6]
Look not upon me —"Look not so upon me" (Leeser); the Church kindly expostulates with her critics. R4232:5*
Because I am black —"Because I am somewhat black" (Leeser). The Church does not deny her imperfections, but is not disposed to admit the contentions of her faultfinders that she is altogether worthless. R4232:5*
Because the sun —The searching light of the true Gospel which exposes every defect. R4232:5*
Hath looked upon me —Judgment must begin at the house of God. God's Word fearlessly exposes the weaknesses of every noble character whose life is there recorded. R4232:5* That is to say, the sun hath made me black. HG509:5
My mother's children —Sitting and speaking against their brother, their own mother's son. R4232:5*
Were angry with me —"The brother shall betray the brother to death." (Matt. 10:21) R4232:6* "Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake." (Isa. 66:5) R4232:6*
They made me —Elected me, appointed me. R4232:6*
Keeper —Class leader, Sunday School teacher, etc. R4232:6*
Of the vineyards —Sunday Schools, Christian Endeavor Societies, etc. R4232:6*
But mine own vineyard —The cultivation of the true vine. "I am the vine, ye are the branches. " (John 15:1) R4232:6*
Have I not kept —Because my Father is the husbandman. (John 15:1) R4232:6*
[Song 1:7]
My soul —Being's affections. R205:3
[Song 1:11]
Borders of gold —Symbol of the divine nature. T18
With studs of silver —Symbol of truth. T114
[Song 1:13]
A bundle of myrrh —Symbol of wisdom. R4093:2*
[Song 1:17]
Are cedar —An everlasting tree, symbol of everlasting life. T109; R1364:5
[Song 2:3]
And his fruit —Symbol of the fruits of the spirit. E206
[Song 2:4]
Banqueting house —"He shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat" at his second advent. (Luke 12:37) D612 More truth is now due than at any time in the history of the Church. R5501:4
[Song 2:8]
Upon the mountains —Kingdoms. A318
Upon the hills —The less autocratic governments. D551
[Song 2:13]
The fig tree —Symbol of the Jewish nation. D604
Putteth forth ... figs —Not only do we recognize that the restoration of the Jews is at hand, but also that the Kingdom of God is nigh. R127:5*
The tender grape —Mature fruits of character. A mark of ripe fruit is tenderness. E206; R1317:5*
[Song 2:14]
O my dove —A dove-like character. R3759:5* Pure, harmless, gentle, defenseless, helpless, timid: its only safety being in flight. R3759:2*
Clefts of the rock —The Rock of Ages. R3759:5*
Secret places —Immanuel is the secret of the stairs. R3759:5*
[Song 2:15]
Take us —Help us to catch. R5886:2
The foxes —Very cunning, not capable of ferocity and viciousness, but is nevertheless cause of much harm. An appearance of docility makes it more dangerous, less likely to arouse suspicion of its evil intentions. R5886:2
Little foxes —King Solomon seems to be picturing the depravities of our fallen nature which are not so extreme, but very harmful. R5886:2 Little sins which are really more dangerous than grosser sins because we are less likely to be on guard against them. R5886:3 Careless, thoughtless, impatient words; little grumblings; a sarcastic word or laugh or look or shrug. R5886:6
Spoil the vines —Small sins, as little foxes, tear the branches and gnaw at the roots of the spiritual vine, endangering its very life. R5886:3
Tender —As grapes during the formative period are exceeding tender, so the Spirit's fruitage in immature Christians may be easily ruined. How careful should we be to guard words and conduct in the presence of the younger and less mature.R5886:5
Grapes —Represent the fruits of the holy Spirit. R5886:3
[Song 2:16]
Feedeth among the lilies —Lilies are fit emblems of those who dwell in God and abide in Christ Jesus. R843:2* Enjoying present fellowship. R303:2*The Bridegroom himself feels the loneliness of the night. R303:4*
[Song 2:17]
Until the day —The Millennial day. R303:2*
Shadows flee away —The Bride anticipates the morning of fuller joy, even while enjoying present fellowship. R303:2*
Be thou like a roe —Christ Jesus. She pleads with him not to tarry. R303:2*
[Song 3:6]
Perfumed with myrrh —Symbol of wisdom. R4093:2*
And frankincense —Representing praise. R3703:4 Signifies "to be white or to make white." It tells of the relationship between the Bridegroom and the Bride. R84:5*
[Song 3:9]
King Solomon —Type of Christ. R1517:2; A79 Christ, Head and Body. B255
[Song 3:10]
Of silver —Symbol of truth. T114
Of gold —Symbol of the divine nature. T18
Of purple —Symbol of royalty. T34
Of Jerusalem —Symbol of the Kingdom of God. A296
[Song 4:1]
Thou art fair —Possessing the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, faith and love, we are lovely in the eyes of our Beloved. R5862:6
[Song 4:3]
Of scarlet —Symbol of the redemption from the Adamic curse through the blood of the ransom of Christ. T34, T109
[Song 4:6]
Until the day break —The Millennial day. The Bridegroom, feeling the loneliness of the night, longs, like the Bride, for the day. R303:2*
I —Christ Jesus. R303:2*
Get me to the mountain —To enjoy the freshest odors and to catch the earliest gleams of dawn. R303:4*
Of myrrh —Symbol of wisdom. R4093:2*
To the hill —On that hill let us meet him in faith and watch with him in hope. R303:4*
Of frankincense —Symbol of praise. R3703:4 Showing the relationship between the Bridegroom and the Bride. R84:5*
[Song 4:10]
Than wine —Symbol of doctrine. R3962:4
Of thine ointments —Symbol of the holy Spirit. T37 The holy anointing oil, the holy Spirit. R4232:2*
[Song 4:11]
And milk —Food for spiritual babes. A24; D577
[Song 4:13]
Of pomegranates —Symbol of the rich fruitage of Christ's redemptive work. T30
With pleasant fruits —Symbol of the fruits of the spirit. E206
[Song 4:14]
Calamus —Symbol of knowledge which we receive from God's Word. R4093:1*
And cinnamon —Symbol of our understanding of the knowledge which we receive from God's Word. R4093:1*
Trees of frankincense —Representing praise, heart adoration. R3703:4
Myrrh —Symbol of wisdom. R4093:2*
[Song 4:15]
A fountain —Symbol of the Word of God. B266; R565:1
Of living waters —Symbol of truth. C65
North wind —An unseen force. A wind of sorrow, trouble, disagreeableness. R4249:4*, R5815:2*
Come, thou south —A wind of pleasantness, joy, peace, etc. R4249:4*, R5815:2*
Blow upon —Actuate. Let the joys and sorrows try the Church to demonstrate which is true and which is false. R4249:4*
My garden —The great mass of nominal Christianity, including the true Church. R4249:4*
Spices thereof may flow —That the graces of the spirit may become manifest. R4249:4*
[Song 5:1]
I am come into —The Lord, speaking after his return. R4249:4*
My garden —That aggregation of individuals which contains both the sister class and the spouse class. R4249:4*
My sister —Foolish virgins, the Great Company. R4249:4*
My spouse —Wise virgins, eventually to be the Lamb's wife. R4249:4*
Gathered my myrrh —Symbol of wisdom. R4093:2*
Have drunk my wine —Spirit of the Lord, truth, righteousness, sound mind. R3962:6 Under the influence of which men are heard for their much speaking. R4249:4*
With my milk —Symbol of food for spiritual babes. A24; D577 "The sincere milk of the Word." (1 Pet. 2:2) R4249:4*
Eat, O friends; drink —Reverently, devotedly, thoughtfully, prayerfully, tearfully perhaps; as we think of our Redeemer's love and sacrifice. R1505:1, R2436:6
[Song 5:2]
I sleep —The great body of nominal Christendom would be asleep when the Lord would come. R4249:5*
My heart waketh —The Little Flock, the wise virgins, would be awake. R4249:5*
Voice of my beloved —Christ, at the second advent. R506:1*
That knocketh —"Behold I stand at the door and knock." (Rev. 3:20) R506:1,* R505:6*
Open to me —The door of the heart, and admit the Lord to govern every action, word and thought. R4249:5*
My dove —Symbol of peace and purity. E212
[Song 5:3]
Have put off my coat —Failed to recognize the necessity of the robe of Christ's righteousness and esteemed it lightly. R4249:5*
[Song 5:5]
Sweet smelling myrrh —Symbol of wisdom. R4093:2*
[Song 5:6]
Had withdrawn himself —The foolish virgins realized that the thing for which they had been praying for 1800 years was to be consummated. R4249:5*
[Song 5:7]
Went about the city —Babylon, Christendom. D527
Smote me —The zeal of the foolish virgins was aroused to the extent of suffering bitter persecution. R4249:5*
Of the walls —Symbol of civil powers that defend Babylon. D40
[Song 5:8]
Daughters of Jerusalem —Professed children of the Kingdom. R4232:5* The foolish virgins finally succeed in interesting the Jews in the message of the gospel. R4249:5*
[Song 5:10]
Chiefest among 10,000 —In the eyes of the Bride, the Church; to those whose eyes are opened. F74; R1063:2*
[Song 5:11]
The most fine gold —Symbol of the divine nature. T18
[Song 5:12]
Of waters —Symbol of truth. C65
Washed with milk —Symbol of foundation truths. (Heb. 5:12) A24; D577
[Song 5:13]
Sweet smelling myrrh —Symbol of wisdom. R4093:2*
[Song 5:15]
As the cedars —Symbol of everlasting human life. T109
[Song 5:16]
His mouth —Utterance. B305
Altogether lovely —Is Christ in the eyes of his Church, yet to the sinful, envious, hateful heart of the fallen man "There is no beauty in him." (Isa. 53:2) E161, E162; R1063:2*
This is my friend —The chiefest of all heavenly treasures is the personal love and friendship of Christ. R1820:3
[Song 6:3]
I am my beloved's —The Bride rejoices in the Bridegroom's assured love, and her desires and longings are not questionings as to the relationship in which she stands to him, which is to her a settled thing. R303:2* Only a few will be able to say this. This union with the Beloved (Christ) implies that the step of justification through repentance and faith in the precious blood has first taken place. R4783:5 A positive compact or contract with Christ is implied. R4783:5 There is no possibility for any to get into this elect class without knowing it. R4783:5
My beloved is mine —So long as we continue to be faithful. "He that hath the son hath life"—eternal life. (1 John 5:12) R4784:1 Those who have Christ are really possessors of "all things." (1 Cor. 3:22, 23) R4784:1 The Bridegroom's care, provision, protection and comfort belong to the betrothed even now. R4784:2
[Song 6:9]
My dove —Symbol of peace and purity. E212
She is the only one —There is but one Bride of Christ. R4655:1
[Song 6:10]
As the morning —Symbol of the Millennial age. A9; E359
Fair as the moon —Symbol of the Law in Matt. 24 and Rev. 12. R499:4; D590
Clear as the sun —Symbol of the gospel light, the truth, in Matt. 24 and Rev. 12. R499:4; D590
With banners —Symbol of the standard of the truth in Isa. 13:1, 2. D40
[Song 6:11]
To see the fruits —Symbol of the fruits of the spirit. E206
The pomegranates —Symbol of the fruitage of redemptive work. T30
[Song 7:2]
Of wheat —True children of the Kingdom. C140
[Song 7:9]
Like the best wine —See comments on Song of Solomon 1:2.
[Song 7:12]
The tender grape —Symbol of mature fruits of character, marked by tenderness. E206; R1317:5*
The pomegranates —Symbol of the fruitage of Christ's redemptive work. T30
[Song 8:2]
Of spiced wine —Symbol of doctrine. R5633:2 See comments on Song of Solomon 1:2.
Of my pomegranate —Symbol of the fruitage of Christ's redemptive work. T30
[Song 8:4]
Of Jerusalem —Symbol of the Kingdom of God. A296
[Song 8:5]
Who is this —The true Church, the protesting Church of God. R1841:6; SM126:1; C65
That cometh up —Cometh forth into prominence. C65 In God's due time his Church emerged from the wilderness. R5501:2 Shortly to come from the wilderness. SM126:1
From the wilderness —At the end of the 1260 years of wilderness hiding and Papal supremacy, from AD 539 to 1799. C65 The true Church is the Church in the wilderness—separate from the world. R1841:6
Upon her beloved —The arm of her beloved, the Word of God. C65
[Song 8:6]
As a seal —Or signet, the emblem of power and authority; symbol of that which was most highly esteemed. R360:4*
Jealousy —Jealousy of another is always an evil quality, a most vicious kind of cruelty, unreasoning and insatiable. Signifies either apprehension of being displaced in the affections of another or of being outdone by a rival. It is closely allied to hatred, malice, envy, strife. R4789:1 To the extent that its presence has defiled the heart a cleansing should be invoked. R4789:2 When the Lord announces himself as a "jealous God" it is not to be considered selfishness, rather he wants all of our affections, confidence and entire trust, for our own good. R4789:2 Jealousy in the Lord's cause is different from jealousy in our own interest. R4789:5 We must be sure that it is not jealousy of another, but jealousy for another. R4789:5
Cruel as the grave —Sheol, oblivion, which engulfs all mankind. E368; R828:5, R2600:2, R4789:1 The Bible plainly states that death is an enemy. SM116:2 It is not only a cruel monster of itself, but its poisonous fangs are almost certain to inflict pain and trouble upon others. R4789:2
[Song 8:14]
Make haste —The Bride pleads with the Bridegroom not to tarry. R303:2*
Like to a roe —The Bride's eyes "are toward the hills" over which she expects to behold the Bridegroom coming like a roe. R303:2*