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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadPaul Kretzmann Commentary - Song of Solomon 4:1 - 4:7
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
The Church's State of Grace.
The Comeliness of the Church
v. 1. Behold, thou art fair, My love, so the Bridegroom tells the Church; behold, thou art fair; thou hast dove's eyes, or, "thy eyes are doves," gleaming in iridescent beauty, within thy locks, or "behind the veil"; thy hair is as a flock of goats that appear, or repose, from Mount Gilead, the country east of Jordan known for its fine cattle. The point of comparison is to he found in the glossy blackness and luxuriant abundance of Shulamith's hair as well as in its silky softness and delicacy.
v. 2. Thy teeth are like a flock of sheep that are even shorn, which came up from the washing, regular and snow-white; whereof every one bear twins, and none is barren among them, the upper and the lower set of teeth being perfect and exactly corresponding to each other.
v. 3. Thy lips are like a thread of scarlet, their crimson forming a beautiful contrast to the dazzling whiteness of her teeth, and thy speech is comely, rather, "thy mouth is lovely," both in shape and in speech; thy temples are like a piece of a pomegranate, whose cut segment offers a soft red mingled with creamy white, within thy locks.
v. 4. Thy neck is like the tower of David builded for an armory, whereon there hang a thousand bucklers, all shields of mighty men. The reference here is to graceful and powerful stateliness, enhanced by splendid ornaments.
v. 5. Thy two breasts are like two young roes that are twins, fawns, twins of a gazelle, which feed among the lilies, of delicate and exquisite beauty. This declaration on the part of the Bridegroom causes Shulamith to respond:
v. 6. Until the day break, rather, "until the day cools," until the approach of evening, and the shadows flee away, rapidly lengthening toward the east, I will get me to the mountain of myrrh and to the hill of frankincense, where she could commune with God in undisturbed solitude. And the King answers, in joyful approval:
v. 7. Thou art all fair, My love; there is no spot in thee.
We have here a fine description of the inner beauty of the Church, as Christ sees it, the purity, holiness, majesty, and glory which is known to Him, because wrought by Him. The Church and all its members should be distinguished by guilelessness, wisdom, faithfulness. Having received the riches of His grace, the believers have the finest apparel and ornaments, and their praise of the mercy of God received by them is lovely, their teaching wholesome and edifying. Moreover, the Church is in possession of eternal youth and offers a majestic appearance, while, at the same time, she is a true mother to all her children, who desire the sincere milk of the Word, that they may grow thereby. With such loveliness ascribed to her, the Church naturally vows to the Lord that she will keep her beauty unsullied, that it will be her steady endeavor to worship Him in spirit and in truth, whereupon He once more assures her that, through the merits of His righteousness transmitted to her, she is without spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing, holy and without blemish in His eyes, Eph_5:27, clean through the Word which He has spoken to her, Joh_15:3.