SONG OF SONGS

Title:
This name suggests that this is the most excellent of all songs.
Author:
Judging from 1:1 the author was Solomon, but it should be noted that the Hebrew here
could also mean “concerning Solomon”.
Date:
If Solomon wrote it, which seems likely, then it was written sometime during his reign
– 970-930 BC. However, many scholars believe that it was written sometime after the
exile of Judah in Babylon, in the 5th century BC.
Theme:
Commentators on this book do not agree about the theme, or even about the principal
characters in the story. Some teach that the book is a mere poetic description of the love
between King Solomon and his bride. Some modern commentators teach that it is the
story of the love between an unknown shepherd and his bride and that King Solomon is
the villain in the story who tries to take the shepherd’s bride for himself (this interpretation
is unlikely. If we take the Song as an allegory which speaks of the heavenly King and His
people, the allegory would be most meaningful if the literal bridegroom in the Song were
a king himself). Some commentators teach that this story is not an allegory about the love
that exists between God and believers, but others teach that this is the main theme of the
book. The author of these notes believes that the principal characters in this story of love
are King Solomon and his bride, but that the story is full of symbolic, spiritual meanings,
is an allegory depicting the love that exists between Jesus Christ the King of kings and
His redeemed people, or individual believers. The reasons for this belief are as follows:
1. Its title, given in the first verse, is as much a part of the inspired Scriptures as any
other. And if the writer by the inspiration of the Spirit of God calls this the chief, the
best, the greatest of all songs (and this is the meaning of “song of songs”) there must
be good reasons for it. If it were merely a love story about Solomon and his bride how
could it be called the best of all songs? In such case would it be greater than some
of the marvelous songs of David the sweet singer of Israel? Would it be greater than
Psalm 22 or 45 or 69 or 119? How could it be the greatest of all songs if Christ is not
in it? If Christ is absent from this song, the title is an empty boast.
2. We have the analogy of other Scriptures such as Ps 45; Isa 54:5; Jer 3:14; 31:32;
Ezek 16; 23; Hos 2:7,16; Matt 22:1-2; Rom 7:4; 2 Cor 11:2; Eph 5:25-32; Rev 19:6-9.
Since God is called the “husband” of the nation Israel, and since the church is called
the “bride” of Christ, it is no surprising thing that a book of the Bible would set forth
in the human language of love the love that ought to exist, and does exist, between
Christ and His people. The above Scriptures should be read in connection with the
study of this book. They set forth one of the great themes of the Bible.
3. We have the example of other subjects in Scripture where there are spiritual meanings
beyond the physical. See notes on the tabernacle, priests, sacrifices, and other matters
in Exodus and Leviticus. Those things were real and literal but they were much more
than that – they were types, shadows, pictures of spiritual realities. And see Paul,
957 Song of Songs

by the inspiration of God’s Spirit, calling the story of Sarah and Hagar an allegory
(Gal 4:21-27)! Surely there is as much reason to find an allegory in this Song of songs
as in the history of Sarah and Hagar. We do not deny that this song refers to a literal
bride and bridegroom any more than we would deny the literal existence in history
of Sarah and Hagar. King Solomon and a woman called the Shulamite are here. But
it seems clear that here is also a parable of heavenly love full of spiritual meaning
for those who have eyes to see it. See also the example of Hosea and his wife in the
book of Hosea. They were literal people, but we see in their story the love God had
for his fallen people Israel.
4. We have the statements of Scripture like Luke 24:27; 2 Tim 3:16-17. Can we say that
Christ is everywhere in the Old Testament Scriptures except in this one book? Should
we try to see Him everywhere else and then try not to see Him in this song? How
would this song help make the man or woman of God thoroughly equipped for every
good work, if there is no Christ in it and no lessons of a spiritual, heavenly character?
5. There are expressions and scenes in this book which seem to require an allegorical
or spiritual meaning. It is hard to imagine that the literal bride of King Solomon
wandered alone at night about the streets looking for him (3:2-4), or that while doing
so on a second occasion the watchmen beat her and took away her cloak (5:6-7). Or
that she literally came up from the desert leaning on Solomon (8:5).
6. We have the interpretation of many spiritual commentators for many centuries both
before and after Christ. The Jews thought it set forth the relationship between Jehovah
and Israel, and Christians found in it Christ and His Church. This interpretation is
not our invention or a recent novelty.
If these reasons do not seem adequate to the reader, he is at liberty to reject them and try
to understand this song on the mere level of human love. Our views and interpretations of
Scripture are not infallible. But we are convinced that by studying this book by the aid of
the Holy Spirit we can get a vivid impression of how Christ loves believers and how they
should love Him. And we believe that experience will be the best teacher of this book.
Only those who know Christ’s love can understand what is here.
Love is what this book is all about, and we see the arrangement of it something like this:
Love affirmed................................................................................. 1:2-4
Love’s anxiety ................................................................................ 1:5-7
Love in fellowship .......................................................................... 1:9—2:7
Love longed for and invited ............................................................ 2:8—3:1
Love tested and proved ................................................................... 3:1-5
Love conveyed in splendor.............................................................. 3:6-11
Love’s delight in the loved one ........................................................ 4:1-16
Love’s satisfaction .......................................................................... 5:1
Love weak, failing and reviving ...................................................... 5:2-8
Love confident ............................................................................... 6:1-3
Love praises the loved one .............................................................. 6:4-13
Love conversing ............................................................................. 7:1—8:4
Love’s strength ............................................................................... 8:6-7
Love’s concern ............................................................................... 8:8-12
Love’s longing ................................................................................ 8:13-14
Song of Songs 1:1 958

1 The song of songs, which is

Solomon’s.
more than wine.
The upright love you.
Bride Bride
2 Let him kiss me with the kisses 5 I am black but lovely,
of his mouth: O daughters of Jerusalem,
for your love is better than wine. like the tents of Kedar,
3 The fragrance of your oil is like the curtains of Solomon.
pleasing; 6 Do not stare at me because

your name is like oil poured out, I am black,

therefore the virgins love you. because the sun has looked
4 Draw me after you. We will run! on me.
The king has brought me into My mother’s children were angry
his chambers. with me.
They made me watch over the
Friends vineyards,
We will be glad and rejoice in you; but my own vineyard I have not
we will remember your love watched.
1:1 The expression “song of songs” means the Himself we will never arrive there (John 6:44).
greatest of all songs, just as King of kings means The work is all His. But on our part there must
the greatest of all kings and Lord of lords means be a willingness that is ready and eager to enter
the greatest of all lords. How could this be the into His loving fellowship.
greatest of all songs in the Bible (or out of it) if “Me”, “we” – sometimes believers are regarded
Christ is not in it? That song will be the greatest as a unit – the bride; sometimes as a group of
which has the greatest theme for its subject and individuals. Compare Ps 45:14-15; Rev 19:6-9.
which expresses that theme in high and holy “You”– the Hebrew is the masculine single
language. There is no greater theme in the Bible form of the pronoun.
or out of it than Christ’s love for His people. This “Love you”– no more fitting thing can be
is a far more excellent theme than the love of a imagined than for believers to love the King of
man and his wife – which is all that some think heaven.
they see in this song. 1:5 The daughters of Jerusalem are probably the
1:2 In the Hebrew there are no headings “virgins” of v 3 and the “friends” who speak in v
(Bridegroom, Friends, Bride). They have been 4, but we cannot be dogmatic about this.
inserted to make clear to the reader who is “Black”– Kedar is mentioned in Gen 25:12-13.
speaking in each case. The use of “Bride”, and Their tents were woven of black goat’s hair.
“Bridegroom” in these headings is determined Believers in Christ are both sinners and saints.
primarily on the basis of the gender of the God made man in His own image (Gen 1:26),
pronouns in the Hebrew text. The words of others and so with spiritual beauty. Believers know
are marked “Friends”. In some cases the divisions that they came into the world with a nature
and headings are open to debate. corrupted by sin, that any spiritual beauty
In this verse the speaker represents all of they now possess is because of their union
Christ’s own people. She speaks out their deepest with Christ. All their beauty is a gift of God
longings – to enjoy the nearness of Christ, the (Isa 61:10; 1 Cor 1:30; 2 Cor 5:21; Eph 4:22-24).
manifestation of Christ’s love. His love is more In the words of the bride here is there an element
stimulating, more delightful to the mind and of anxiety? She will learn that perfect love casts
spirit than wine (or any other physical stimulant) out fear (1 John 4:18).
could ever be to the body. 1:6 “Black”– life “under the sun” (Eccl 1:3,14)
1:3 In the Bible “name” often indicates the has made our natures dark (Gen 8:21; Jer 17:9;
character and attributes of a person. The name of Rom 3:9-19). Believers, knowing this, do not feel
the LORD (Jehovah) in the Old Testament and of there is anything in them that is worthy of staring
Jesus in the New Testament is a perfume poured or admiring. The beauty they have is not their
forth from heaven to earth and filling the whole own but Christ’s reflected beauty.
world with fragrance. Compare Ex 30:22-38; “Angry”– Isa 66:5; John 15:17.
Ps 45:8; Matt 26:6-13. The spiritually pure (here “Vineyard”– here signifies the believer’s
signified by “virgins”) will love God above all personal life. It is possible to be so taken up
and everything. with other work that our communion with God
1:4 If the heavenly King Himself does not come is neglected and our spiritual lives become like
to us and draw us into secret communion with an untended garden.
959 Song of Songs 1:17
7 Tell me, O you whom my soul Bride
loves, 12 While the king sits at
where you graze your sheep, his table,
where you make your flock rest my spikenard sends out
at noon; its aroma.
for why should I be like someone 13 My beloved is to me like a bundle
who turns aside by the flocks of myrrh which lies all night
of your companions? between my breasts.
14 My beloved is to me like a cluster
Bridegroom of henna blossoms in the
8 If you do not know, vineyards of Engedi.
O you most beautiful
of women, Bridegroom
follow the tracks of the flock, 15 How beautiful you are, my love!
and pasture your young goats How beautiful you are!
beside You have doves’ eyes.
the shepherds’ tents.
9 I compare you, O my love, Bride
to a company of horses in 16 How handsome you are,
Pharaoh’s chariots. my beloved!
10 Your cheeks are lovely with rows
Yes, delightful. And our bed
of jewels, is green.
your neck with chains of gold.
11 We will make ornaments Bridegroom
of gold 17 The beams of our house are cedar,
for you with studs of silver. and our rafters of fir.

1:7 Believers wish to experience always Christ’s 1 Pet 3:3-4.

nearness and love. He never leaves them 1:12 Believers sit at the table of the heavenly
or forsakes them (Heb 13:5; John 14:16-18; King (Rev 3:20; 1 Cor 10:16-17). Believers in
Matt 28:20). But their experience of His communion with Christ are a sweet fragrance
nearness and love ebbs and flows and sometimes to Him.
He seems to be gone altogether. This is 1:13-14 But much more, Christ is a sweet
especially the case if we neglect to keep fragrance to believers. What the best perfumes
our own “vineyard”. When such is the case on earth are to the body, that His presence is
we should seek Him with our whole heart to the spirit.
(Hos 10:12; Jer 29:13). 1:15 “Beautiful”– v 8.
1:8 If we search we can see where Christ has “My love”– v 9; 2:2; 4:1,7; 7:6. The language
led His flock and can follow in the footsteps of love, the endearing terms in this song suggest
of the saints. In the fellowship of the church’s Christ’s great love for the church and for each
pastors and under shepherds, appointed by believer (John 13:1; 14:21; 15:9; chapter 17;
Christ, and in feeding Christ’s sheep we will Rom 5:8; Gal 2:20; Eph 5:1-2,25; 1 John 3:16;
find Him anew (John 21:15-17; 14:21). The 4:16). The whole relationship of the believer and
bride is called the “fairest among women” Christ is one of mutual love and self-giving and
(see also 1:15; 2:14; 4:1,7; 6:4; 7:1,6; Ps 45:11). delight in the other.
Christ’s church is the most beautiful thing in “Dove’s eyes”– the dove is a symbol of the Holy
the world to Him. He sees her with the eyes Spirit of God (Matt 3:16). The symbol speaks of
of love; He sees what she will yet be by His holiness, heavenliness, innocence, and spiritual
grace (Eph 5:26-27). He sees the beauty God beauty. The Holy Spirit should shine through the
has given her. Believers are in Christ, united eyes of believers. This is the only way they can
to Him, and all He has they have. really have “dove’s eyes”.
1:9-11 Egypt’s horses were the best, the 1:16 Believers surely have more reason to see
most beautiful, the most expertly trained of beauty in Christ than He in them (Ps 45:2).
all. They were imported to other countries “Green”– Ps 23:2; Isa 51:3.
(1 Kings 10:28-29). The king of Egypt would 1:17 There is shelter for believers from all that
have the best of the best and the most could harm them (Ps 121:5-6). And in that shelter
beautifully decorated. Compare Prov 1:19; the eternal God’s delight is to dwell with them
Isa 61:1-3; Ezek 16:9 -14; 1 Tim 2:9 -10; (note at Ex 25:8).
Song of Songs 2:1 960

Bride He comes leaping on the mountains,

skipping on the hills.
2 I am the rose of Sharon,
and the lily of the valleys.
9 My beloved is like a gazelle or a

young stag.
See, he stands behind our wall,
Bridegroom
he looks out the windows,
2 Like the lily among thorns, peering through the lattice.
so is my love among the daughters. 10 My beloved spoke and said to me,

“Rise up, my love, my beautiful

Bride one, and come away.
3 Like the apple tree among the trees 11 For, see, the winter is past,
of the woods, the rain is over and gone,
so is my beloved among the sons. 12 The flowers appear on the earth,
I sat down under his shade with the time of the singing of birds has
great delight, come, and the voice of the
and his fruit was sweet to my taste. turtledove is heard in our land.
4 He brought me to the banqueting house, 13 The fig tree puts forth its green figs,
and his banner over me was love. and the vines with the tender grapes
5 Sustain me with raisins, refresh me
give a good smell.
with apples, for I am sick with love. Arise, my love, my beautiful one,
6 His left hand is under my head,
and come away”.
and his right hand embraces me.
7 I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, Bridegroom
by the gazelles and by the deer 14 O my dove in the clefts of the rock,
of the field, in the secret places of the steep
not to arouse or awaken my love, ledges,
till he pleases. let me see your face, let me hear your
8 The voice of my beloved! Look!
voice;
2:1 It is unclear from the Hebrew whether the large over all Christ’s dealings with His people.
speaker here is the bride or the bridegroom. 2:5-7 The full experience of Christ’s love can
Since in the next verse the bridegroom says to be too much for human nature to bear. Such
the bride, “you are a lily” it seems likely that experiences cannot be produced by the efforts of
the speaker in this verse is the bride. Believers others (daughters of Jerusalem). They can come
in themselves are as fragile, as prone to wither only in Christ’s time and way.
and fade as flowers (Isa 40:6-8; 1 Pet 1:24). They 2:8-9 This is the experience of the bride. The
are lowly like the flowers of plains and valleys, divine lover is present, then He is gone off to the
but they have a beauty and a fragrance to God mountains, but comes rushing back. No reason
that He has given them. here is given for this, but if our communion with
2:2 “My love”– among men the only thing of Christ is broken we should look for the fault in
beauty and fragrance to the Son of God is His ourselves, not in Him (Isa 59:1-2; Hos 5:6), if
Church. All others on earth are like thorns and indeed there is any fault at all (it may be that He
briars – painful, ugly, harmful (Num 33:55; is testing us). Believers do not always enjoy His
Jud 2:3; 2 Sam 23:6; Isa 27:4-5; 33:12; Matt 7:16; nearness as they would desire. One glimpse of
Luke 8:14; Heb 6:8; Rom 8:7-8). Him fills them with expectation and longing.
2:3 “Tree”– Christ is no mere flower to wither and 2:10-13 Jer 31:3; Deut 4:37. The bridegroom uses
fade. He is a fruitful tree who grew up on earth the language of love and poetry to woo His bride
from the root of Jesse (Isa 11:1,10; 53:2; Rom 15:12). away from everything else that might attract her,
For His people He is the “shade” (Ps 91:1; 121:5; and He calls her into beauty, into songs of joy,
Isa 25:4; 32:2). He is the tree of life and His “fruit” into the deepest fellowship with Himself. At last
is eternal salvation, joy and satisfaction forever. He will call her to enjoy eternal dwellings in His
Have our desires been so corrupted by the evil fruits presence (John 14:2-3; 17:24; 1 Thess 4:16-18).
of the world that His fruit is not sweet to our taste? 2:14 Christ’s church is like a dove, born of the
2:4 “Banqueting house”– Ps 23:5; Rev 3:20. Holy Spirit, hiding in Christ the Rock of ages
Imagine, if you can, the sort of feast the Son of (Ex 33:21-22; Deut 32:4). Believers are so dear
God is able to prepare. to Him He longs to see their face, to hear their
“Banner over me was love”– banner speaks of voice. Is not this one reason behind all those
something proudly displayed, clearly manifested divinely inspired Scriptures which urge us to
(compare Rom 5:8; Gal 2:20). Love is written pray and praise?
961 Song of Songs 3:6

for your voice is sweet and your face I sought him but I did not find him.
is lovely. 3 The watchmen who go around the city
15 Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes, found me. I said to them:
that spoil the vines; “Have you seen him whom my soul
for our vines have tender grapes. loves?”
4 Scarcely had I passed on from them
Bride when I found him whom my soul
16 My beloved is mine, and loves.
I am his. I held him and would not let him go,
He grazes his flock among until I had brought him into my
the lilies. mother’s house,
17 Until the day breaks and the shadows and into the chamber of her who
flee away, turn, my beloved, conceived me.
and be like a gazelle or a young stag 5 I charge you, O daughters of

on the mountains of Bether. Jerusalem,

by the gazelles and by the deer of

3 At night on my bed I sought him

whom my soul loves.
I sought him, but I did not find him.
the field,
not to arouse or awake my love,
till he pleases.
2 I will arise now, and go about the city 6 Who is this coming from the desert

in the streets, and in the squares I like pillars of smoke,

will seek him whom my soul perfumed with myrrh and
loves. frankincense,
2:15 1:6. Believers must guard against everything 3:6 The speaker here is either the “bride” or the
that would spoil their life in Christ and their “friends”. The words bring us back to the literal
fellowship with Him, against all sins of either Solomon and his bride who signify the heavenly
commission or omission. They may be considered truths of this book. It seems in these verses that
“small” sins, but can that be called small which Solomon has come in royal magnificence to bear
works so much damage? his bride away (compare 8:5) and this is surely
“Vineyard”– Ps 80:15; Isa 5:1-5; Jer 12:10; not without spiritual significance to believers.
Luke 20:9-16 (so terribly may a vineyard be We should notice that a striking feature of
ruined). this book is the sudden shift of scenes. The bride
2:16 6:3; 7:10. Believers can and should have is looking for the bridegroom in the shepherds’
the sweet assurance that they belong to Christ fields (1:7-8); the bridegroom is near (1:9-11);
and Christ to them forever (John 17:6; Rom 7:4; afterwards they are together in the house of the
8:38-39; 1 Cor 3:21-23). They are not to spend king (1:12-17); suddenly the bridegroom is away
their lives wondering whether it is so. in the hills but comes quickly to the house and
2:17 If Christ seems to depart again and again to calls his bride away (2:8-15); again he is on the
some far off hills, the believer longs for Him and hills and she is left alone (2:16—3:3); they are
prays for His return. What else can satisfy him together in her mother’s house (3:4-5); now he
once he has tasted of the sweetness of Christ’s love? comes from the desert in beauty and splendor.
“The mountains of Bether”– or “The rugged The book continues in similar fashion.
mountains”. Bether means rugged. It is difficult In other words, the book does not give a
to know whether a proper name is meant here. regular story with a beginning, a middle, and an
3:1-3 When God seems to be at a distance, when end. Instead we have various and brief pictures
Christ’s fellowship is withdrawn, the believer is that set forth the relationship of bride and
tested. What will he do? He should seek Christ bridegroom. The spiritual purpose is to show
again (Job 23:3; Ps 6:1-4; 13:1-3; 28:1-2; 38:21-22; various experiences through which believers may
42:1-3; 63:1; 77:1-9; 105:4; 143:6-7; Hos 5:6,15; go in their life in Christ, and to reveal something
Amos 5:4,8). Sometimes Christian experience is of His beauty, magnificence, and tender love for
similar to wandering in dark and lonely streets. His Church.
But God has placed watchmen – faithful ministers In these verses we see something of His glory
to point the way to Christ. and might (compare Ps 45:3-5). Believers (whether
3:4 “Found”– Ps 9:10; 22:26; 69:32; 70:4; 105:3; or not they are aware of it) are riding through the
Jer 29:13; Isa 45:19; Matt 7:7-8. world in a heavenly carriage with the King of
“Not let him go”– Gen 32:26; Ps 27:9; glory at their side. Though there is still danger at
Luke 24:28-29. night (v 8), there is full protection for the bride in
3:5 2:7. this journey with the King (John 10:28).
Song of Songs 3:7 962

with all the powdered spices of the Gilead.

merchant? 2 Your teeth are like a flock
7 See, it is Solomon’s palanquin! of sheep just shorn,
Sixty valiant men, of the valiant of which come up from the washing,
Israel, surround it. each of which bears twins,
8 They all hold swords, being expert and none of them is barren.
in war. 3 Your lips are like a strip of scarlet,

Every man has his sword at and your mouth is lovely.

his side, Your temples are like a piece of a
because of fear in the night. pomegranate behind
9 King Solomon made the carriage for your veil.
himself from the wood 4 Your neck is like the tower of David

of Lebanon. built as an armoury,

10 He made its posts of silver, where hang a thousand shields,
its bottom of gold, its covering of all shields of mighty men.
purple, 5 Your two breasts are like two fawns

its interior being lovingly fitted by that are twins,

the daughters of Jerusalem. which feed among the lilies.
11 Go out, O daughters of Zion, 6 Until the day breaks and the shadows

and see King Solomon with the flee away,

crown with which his mother I will go to the mountain of myrrh,
crowned him on the day of his and to the hill of frankincense.
wedding, 7 You are altogether beautiful,

and on the day of the gladness of my love.

his heart. There is no blemish in you.
8 Come with me from Lebanon,

my bride,
Bridegroom come with me from Lebanon.

4 How beautiful you are, my love!

How beautiful you are!
You have doves’ eyes behind
Look from the top of Amana,
from the top of Shenir and Hermon,
from the lions’ dens,
your veil. from the mountains of
Your hair is like a flock of goats the leopards.
that appears from mount 9 You have ravished my heart,

4:1 “Beautiful”– 1:5,8,9-11,15 – this whole chapter they have is God’s perfect beauty (Ps 45:13-14;
(except for the last verse) is spoken by the Ezek 16:14); and the result of God’s work in the
bridegroom to show His delight in the bride. church and in the believer will result eventually
Everything about her pleases Him because He in a perfection only God can produce (Rom 8:29;
looks with the eyes of love. Eph 5:25-27; Heb 10:14; 1 John 3:2).
“Doves”– 1:15. 4:8 The bridegroom says he will go to the
“Goats”– goats with long black hair moving mountain of myrrh and incense (v 6). The bride
down one of the rounded hills of the Gilead range should be with him. But suddenly the bride
suggest her black tresses. seems to be somewhere among the mountain
4:2 Her teeth – white, sparkling, perfectly peaks on the northern borders of Israel, a place
matched. of rugged beauty and danger. He calls her away.
4:4 In other words, her neck is straight and The spiritual application is not difficult to make.
ornamented with necklaces – 1:10. There are high places in the world that have
4:6 2:17; 1:13; 3:6. their beauties and attractions but are dangerous
4:7 “No blemish”– a wonderful thing to say! In to believers. Christ calls us away from them to
itself the church is full of flaws, and individual Himself.
believers have to make the same confession as 4:9 6:5. Does Christ love His church so much?
Paul (Rom 7:18), and James (3:2), and John Does one glance of love from her move His heart
(1 John 1:8). Yet even now the righteousness like this? Yes, He has proved once and for all the
which God puts to the believer’s account is perfect intensity of His infinite love by laying down His
and flawless (Isa 61:10; Jer 33:16; Rom 3:21-24; life for the church. His love passes knowledge
1 Cor 1:30; 2 Cor 5:21; Phil 3:9); the beauty (Eph 3:19).
963 Song of Songs 5:1

my sister, my bride. myrrh and aloes, with all the chief

You have ravished my heart with one spices.
glance of your eyes, 15 You are a garden fountain,

with one strand of your necklace. a well of living waters,

10 How beautiful is your love, and streams from Lebanon.
my sister, my bride! 16 Awake, O north wind,

How much better is your love and come,

than wine! you south wind!
And the fragrance of your oils than Blow on my garden so that
all spices! the fragrance of its spices may
11 Your lips, O my bride, drip like the spread out.
honeycomb.
Honey and milk are under your Bride
tongue, Let my beloved come into his
and the fragrance of your garments garden,
is like the fragrance of and eat his choice fruits.
Lebanon.
12 A garden locked up is my sister,

my bride; Bridegroom
a spring shut up, a fountain
sealed.
13 Your plants are an orchard of
5 I have come into my garden,
my sister, my bride.
I have gathered my myrrh with
pomegranates, with choice fruits, my spice.
henna with spikenard, I have eaten my honeycomb with
14 Spikenard and saffron, calamus my honey.
and cinnamon, I have drunk my wine with
with all the trees of frankincense, my milk.
“Sister”– the Lord Jesus is the bridegroom, Him (John 17; Rom 12:1-2; 2 Cor 6:14-18). And
the Lord, the Head of the Church. But He they are to bear the fruits which please Him
is also called the “brother” of believers (John 15:8,16; Rom 7:4; Gal 5:22-23; Eph 5:9;
(Heb 2:11-12). He is their Kinsman-Redeemer Col 1:6,10).
(note at Ruth 2:20). 4:15 The true church is also like a “fountain”
4:10 The Lord delights in His people (Ps 147:11; and “well” and water flowing from mountain
149:4; Zeph 3:17). heights – a source of great satisfaction to
4:11 The words of love we speak to the Lord Christ. This fountain is sealed – that is, kept
from loving hearts are very sweet to Him. Our for Him alone (2 Cor 11:2). The true church
fellowship to Him is like the fragrance of flowers is not like a tank or pond in which the water
and green forests. He wants always to be with us. may stagnate or dry up altogether. The church
When we come to Him in prayer we must not which is Christ’s body has the deep fountains
think He is reluctant to receive us. of the Holy Spirit in it, springing up eternally
4:12-14 In Ps 1:3 believers are compared to a (John 4:14; 7:37-39).
fruitful tree. In Ps 80:8 they are compared to a 4:16 This is the bridegroom still speaking for he
vine. Here they are called a whole garden (see also says “my” garden. Wind makes a fine symbol of
Isa 58:11; Jer 31:12). The true church is Christ’s the Holy Spirit (John 3:8 – the words for wind,
garden of Eden where He comes to walk and breath, and spirit in both Hebrew and Greek are
talk with men and delight in their fellowship identical). Only if God’s Spirit is blowing through
(Gen 3:8). Only from believers will Christ get the church will its fragrance spread.
any fragrance or fruit. Apart from His church “My beloved”– the bride speaks and welcomes
the whole world is like a desert to Him. Him with a loving heart – the only proper
Notice that this garden is enclosed or “locked response.
up”. In other words, believers are Christ’s garden 5:1 Isa 65:24. And what sweetness and satisfaction
alone. No one else is to walk there. They are He finds in her fellowship! The Lord Jesus comes
His possession (Rom 14:7-8; 1 Cor 6:19-20); to commune with those who want Him and
they are for His delight. He puts a wall about who are prepared for Him (John 14:23). And
them to keep out enemies and to prevent the He wants others whom He here calls “friends”
world from trampling them underfoot. They and “beloved ones” to share with Him in the
are to be separate, holy, completely dedicated to church.
Song of Songs 5:2 964

Eat, O friends! I looked for him, but I could not

Drink, yes, drink abundantly, find him.
O beloved! I called to him, but he gave me no
answer.
Bride 7 The watchmen who went around
2 I sleep, but my heart is awake. the city found me.
It is the voice of my beloved They struck me; they wounded me.
who knocks, saying, The guards of the walls took
“Open to me, my sister, my love, my veil away from me.
my dove, my undefiled, 8 I charge you, O daughters of

for my head is drenched with dew, Jerusalem,

and my locks with the moisture if you find my beloved, will you not
of the night”. tell him that I am sick
3 I have taken off my robe. with love?
How can I put it back on?
I have washed my feet. Friends
How can I soil them again? 9 What is your beloved more than
4 My beloved put his hand in through another beloved,
the hole in the door, O you most beautiful of women?
and my inmost being was moved What is your beloved more than
for him. another
5 I got up to open to my beloved, beloved, that you charge us so?
and my hands dripped
with myrrh, Bride
and my fingers with sweet smelling 10 My beloved is radiant and ruddy,
myrrh, on the handles of the lock. the chief among ten thousand.
6 I opened to my beloved; 11 His head is like the most fine gold.

but my beloved had turned away The locks of his hair are bushy,
and was gone. black as a raven.
My soul went out to him as 12 His eyes are like the eyes of doves by

he spoke. the streams of water,

5:2-6 Another scene, another time. She is beloved to love as he loves (8:6-7; Matt 22:37).
somewhere alone at night and the bridegroom The most important thing to us should be not our
comes and calls to her. He has come from a own convenience or pleasure but to love Him so
distance, or else has been standing outside for much we want to please only Him.
some time, for his head is wet with dew. In either 5:7-8 The watchmen now act differently toward
case his love is clear. She is excited at his coming her than they did in 3:3. Perhaps the scene
but reluctant to get up and open the door (v 3). in chapter 3 suggests a test of the genuineness
She delays. When she does get up at last she is of her love. Here she is at fault and must suffer
more occupied with herself than with him (v 5) for it. The words of God’s faithful watchmen can
– a fault seen in her before (1:5,12; 2:1). Her delay be like blows to the one who has lost fellowship
and evident lack of eagerness for his presence with Christ by one’s own fault. Their words strip
grieves him and he departs (v 6). the sinning believer of his veil – thus exposing
Christ will not give His fellowship where He her true countenance and enabling her to see
is not wanted. In the believer’s spiritual life with more clearly.
the Lord Jesus, if fellowship is broken it will 5:8 “Sick with love”– 2:5; Ps 84:2; 119:81.
not be His fault. He will come far for it; He will 5:10-16 Now the bride is fully occupied with the
patiently wait for some time. But carelessness and lover! Her experiences recorded in vs 2-8 have
reluctance to open to Him (which show a loss of taught her something. This is the only place in
first love) will grieve Him. And occupation with this book where she attempts to describe him.
self rather than with Him will make it impossible The spiritual beauty of the Lord Jesus can only be
to enjoy His fellowship. The Lord Jesus in His hinted at by human descriptions, not revealed. It
love does not call us to slothfulness and self- is interesting that in the Gospels there is nothing
admiration. God’s grace, God’s gifts to us are not said about what the Lord Jesus looked like – as
so we might look at self and applaud self. Those if it were entirely unimportant, as indeed it is.
who want more of His fellowship and show that All the emphasis is on His character, His acts,
they want it will have it. Any lover wants the His motives, His attributes.
965 Song of Songs 6:10

washed with milk and fitly set. Bridegroom

13 His cheeks are like a bed of spices, 4 You are as beautiful, O my love,
like sweet flowers. as Tirzah,
His lips like lilies, dripping sweet lovely as Jerusalem,
smelling myrrh. awesome as an army with
14 His hands are like gold rods set
banners.
with beryl. 5 Turn your eyes away from me,
His waist is like bright ivory for they have overcome me.
inlaid with sapphires.
15 His legs are like pillars of marble, Your hair is like a flock of
goats that appears from
set on sockets of fine gold.
Gilead.
His face is like Lebanon, 6 Your teeth are like a flock of sheep
excellent as the cedars.
16 His mouth is very sweet. which goes up from
the washing,
Yes, he is altogether delightful.
each one of which bears twins,
This is my beloved, and this is
my friend, and there is not one barren among
O daughters of Jerusalem. them.
7 Like a piece of a pomegranate are

your temples behind

Friends your veil.

6
8 There are sixty queens, and eighty
Where has your beloved gone,
O most beautiful of women? concubines,
Which way did your beloved turn? and virgins without number.
9 My dove, my undefiled is unique.
Tell us so that we may seek him
with you. She is the only one of her mother,
the favorite of the one who
Bride bore her.
2 My beloved has gone down into The daughters saw her,
his garden, and called her blessed;
to the beds of spices, yes, the queens and the concubines,
to graze his flock in the gardens, and they praised her.
10 Who is she who appears like the
and to gather lilies.
3 I am my beloved’s, dawn,
and my beloved is mine. fair as the moon, bright as the sun,
He feeds his flock among and awesome as an army with
the lilies. banners?
5:16 We cannot even begin to describe all of (1 Kings 14:17; 15:21,33; 16:6,23). Evidently it
Christ’s beauty, but we know that He is the was a place famous for beauty.
altogether beautiful and perfect one. “Jerusalem”– Ps 48:2; 50:2.
“Friend”– see John 15:15. “Army”– the church is also a mighty spiritual
6:1 Our longings for Christ’s fellowship, our praise army.
of His qualities, will stir others up to seek Him. 6:5-7 Similar to 4:1-3. Her look of love stirs up
6:2 She suddenly realizes where her lover will such love in Him that He can hardly bear it (v
be, and ceases her fruitless wanderings about 5. Also 4:9).
the city’s streets. 6:9 “Unique”, “blessed”– Israel in the Old
6:3 See 2:16; 7:10. Testament and Christ’s church in the New
6:4-9 Throughout the Song of songs we see Testament are absolutely unique in the whole
that he is far more taken up with her than she history of man (Ex 19:5-6; Deut 7:6; Ps 135:4;
is with him. She gets distracted by other things John 17:6,9; Titus 2:14; 1 Pet 2:9-10). Though
but he does not. Christ’s love for His church in there be thousands of tribes, peoples, societies,
this world is far more fervent and real than the organizations in the world, the church is the only
church’s love for Christ. His love is the example bride of Christ. Blessed indeed!
of what ours should be. 6:10 The true church is as beautiful and
6:4 “Tirzah”– the word means “pleasure”, majestic in Christ’s eyes as the most beautiful
“beauty”. The town was later chosen as the things in creation. The grace and glory of God
first capital of the northern kingdom of Israel rest on her.
Song of Songs 6:11 966

Bride 4 Your neck is like a tower of ivory.

11 I went down into the garden of Your eyes are like the pools in
nut trees to see the fruits of the Heshbon,
valley, by the gate of Bath-Rabbim.
and to see whether the vine Your nose is like the tower of
flourished, Lebanon which looks toward
and the pomegranates budded. Damascus.
12 Before I was aware, my soul set me 5 Your head crowns you like Carmel,

among the chariots of Amminadab. and the hair of your head is like
purple;
Friends the king is held captive by
13 Come back, come back, O Shulamite! its tresses.
6 How beautiful and how pleasing
Come back, come back,
that we may gaze at you. you are, O love,
with your charms!
Bridegroom 7 Your stature is like a palm tree,

What do you see in the Shulamite? and your breasts like its clusters
As it were the dance of two camps. of fruit.
8 I said, “I will go up to the palm tree,

7 How beautiful are your sandaled feet,

O prince’s daughter!
The curve of your thighs are like
I will take hold of its boughs”
Now may your breasts be like
clusters of the vine,
jewels, and the fragrance of your breath
the work of the hands of a skillful like apples,
9 And the roof of your mouth is like
craftsman.
2 Your navel is like a round goblet, the best wine for my beloved,
not lacking mixed wine. that flows gently over the lips
Your waist is like a heap of wheat of those who are asleep.
encircled with lilies.
3 Your two breasts are like two young Bride
gazelles that are twins. 10 I am my beloved’s,

6:11-12 Who is speaking? Judging from v 13 “Dance of two camps”– or “company of two
it is the bride whom the friends call back. The armies”. The language here suggests a sacred dance
Hebrew of v 12 is obscure, so both the literal of joy. Compare Ex 15:20; 2 Sam 6:14-15; Ps 30:11;
meaning and the spiritual application are equally 149:3; 150:4; Jer 31:13. The Hebrew word for two
so. Verse 11 shows her concern that her garden camps or armies is Mahanaim. See Gen 32:1-2. It
grow and produce fruit (compare 1:6). If we do may suggest here the nearness of heavenly hosts.
not care about our garden, which really belongs 7:1-9 4:1-15; 6:4-9. The true church is a “prince’s
to Christ, we show that we do not care much daughter”, perfectly formed (1 Cor 12:14-27;
about Christ whose garden we are. Eph 4:15-16). Every part (person) is placed
6:12 “Among the chariots of Amminadab”– or “among carefully by God in the Body to contribute to
the royal chariots of my people” or “among the the beauty and usefulness of the whole. He loves
chariots of my willing people”. Amminadab may to gaze on her and to describe her loveliness in
or may not be a proper name here. His eyes. The relationship between husband and
6:13 We cannot be certain why the bride is called wife is the most intimate in the world, and this is
“Shulammite” here. The name was possibly the relationship that the Holy Spirit has used a
derived from the Solomon’s name in Hebrew – number of times in the Bible as a symbol of that
Shlomo. Shulammite could be the feminine form loving, intimate, spiritual relationship between
of that name and may indicate one who belonged God and His own special people. There is no
to Solomon. Or it may possibly be derived from deeper love, no more intimate fellowship, no
a town called Shulam (or, possibly, Shunem). greater delight than in this relationship between
The first part of this verse evidently is spoken God who is Spirit with His spiritual people. This
by the friends or virgins who long to gaze on the is suggested by the language of this passage.
grace and beauty of the bride. The second part 7:10 See 2:16. In the closing words of v 9 and in
of the verse is spoken by the bridegroom. It is in this verse she expresses her full assurance that
the form of a question but he knows very well the wine of her love is acceptable to him, that
her beauty and why others would gaze on her. they are one in heart.
967 Song of Songs 8:7

and his desire is for me. and his right hand would embrace
11 Come, my beloved, let us go out me.
into the field. 4 I charge you, O daughters of

Let us spend the night in Jerusalem,

the villages. not to arouse or awaken my love,
12 Let us get up early to the until he pleases.
vineyards.
Let us see if the vine flourishes, Friends
whether the tender grape appears, 5 Who is this who comes up from
and the pomegranates bud. the desert,
There I will give you my love. leaning on her beloved?
13 The mandrakes give a fragrance,

and at our gates are all kinds Bride

of choice fruits, new and old, I awakened you under the
which I have stored up for you, apple tree.
O my beloved. There your mother brought
you forth.

8 O that you were like a brother

to me,
who nursed at the breasts of my
There she who bore you brought
you forth.
6 Set me like a seal over your

mother! heart,
When I found you outside, like a seal on your arm.
I would kiss you. For love is strong as death;
Yes, I would not be despised. Jealousy is severe as the grave;
2 I would lead you, and bring you its coals are coals of fire,
into my mother’s house, with a very fierce flame.
who instructed me. 7 Many waters cannot quench love,

I would have you drink spiced wine nor can the floods drown it.
from the juice of my pomegranate. If a man were to give all the wealth
3 His left hand would be under of his house for love,
my head, it would be utterly despised.

7:11-12 In 2:1-13 He calls her into the fields. Here 8:3-4 2:6-7.
she invites him. If the fields and villages speak 8:5 “Desert”– 3:6. Israel came from Egypt through
of God’s work in the world we can learn from the desert and into the land of Canaan leaning
these two references that Christ first calls us to on the strong arm of Jehovah. The church moves
this work, then His love in our hearts moves us from the desert of this world toward the heavenly
to desire it and to pray that He go with us. Jerusalem leaning on Christ.
7:13 When there is love there is a desire to give 8:6 “Seal”– this may refer to a jewel having the
gifts and to give oneself to the loved one. This name of the loved one engraved on it. Compare
is what love between two persons is all about – Ex 28:9-12,17-21; Isa 49:16. The spiritual meaning
mutual self-giving. Our love for Christ, or lack may be this: the loved one wants herself (or himself)
of it, will be measured by what we give Him or permanently impressed on the affections of the one
what we withhold from Him. Believers are not who loves as a seal leaves an impression on wax.
to store up for themselves but for Christ. What “Death”– death, man’s enemy, is very powerful
they would keep for themselves they will lose. and holds its victims fast. God’s love, man’s
What they store up for Christ they will keep and greatest friend, is no less powerful. God’s love
enjoy with Him forever. Our fruit should be all will never let His own go (Rom 8:38-39).
for Him (John 15:1-2; Rom 7:4). “Jealousy”– or “ardor” or “zeal” – Ex 20:5;
8:1 In this fallen world those who love Christ 34:14; Deut 4:24. The greater the love the greater
and are loved by Him often become an object of the jealousy concerning all that might turn the
scorn and hatred to godless men (John 15:18-21; loved one away.
16:33; 1 Pet 4:12-16). The bride here wishes “Grave”– in Hebrew “Sheol” – note at Gen 37:35.
that circumstances were different. But has she 8:7 God’s love is such a fire that the mightiest
forgotten the bridegroom’s words in 4:9-10,12; floods can not quench the tiniest spark of it. There
5:1-2 – where he calls her “sister” five times? is nothing on earth that remotely approaches it
8:2 7:13. A heart that wants to give is the surest in value. It is also supreme among all spiritual
mark of love. graces and virtues (1 Cor 13).
Song of Songs 8:8 968

Friends caretakers.
8 We have a little sister, and she has For its fruit each one was to bring a
no breasts. thousand pieces of silver.
12 My vineyard, which is mine,
What shall we do for our sister in
the day when she is spoken for? is before me.
9 If she is a wall, we will build a The thousand shekels are for you,
palace of silver on her, O Solomon, and two hundred for
and if she is a door, we will enclose Those who watch over its fruit.
her with panels of cedar.
Bridegroom
Bride 13 O you who dwell in the gardens,
10 I am a wall, and my breasts are companions listen to your voice.
like towers. cause me to hear it.
Then I was in his eyes like one who
found peace. Bride
11 Solomon had a vineyard at 14 Hurry, my beloved, and be like
Baal-Hamon. a gazelle or a young stag on the
He let out the vineyard to mountains of spices.
8:8-9 The speakers here may be the “friends”, the control of her brothers (1:6). The language
the daughters of Jerusalem, or the “brothers” of verses 11,12 bring to mind the parables of
mentioned in 1:6. The spiritual meaning the Lord Jesus about vineyards (Matt 20:1-16;
would be the same in any case. Some 21:33-40), and speaks to us of the responsibility
commentators think the little sister indicates of Christians as tenants in God’s vineyard.
the New Testament church. Some think 8:12 “Thousand shekels”– about 11.5 kilograms.
she represents any persons who are not yet 8:13 This is the last request of the bridegroom
converted to Christ but who will be. A wall in this book.
is for the purpose of keeping out that which 8:14 Here is the last request of the bride. It is
should be outside. A door is to let in those similar to the last prayer of the Bible – Rev 22:20.
who are prepared to come inside. It brings us back to an early chapter – 2:17. Our
8:10-12 She already is what her little sister may longings for Christ should not diminish with the
become – mature and able to enter into the passage of time and we should always endeavor
marriage relationship. She is no longer under to keep His coming as the object of our hope.