Song of Solomon 1:2-4

The Pulpit Commentary - Song of Solomon 1:2

Love better than wine. The desire of the soul awakened to the higher life is a desire which earth cannot satisfy; it is a desire for God, for the manifestations of Divine favour, the proofs of Divine affection. As one has said, "The Christian is not satisfied, like Mary, to kiss the Master's feet; he would kiss the Master's face." The enjoyment of God's kindness enkindles a desire for more knowledge of God, a closer intercourse with God. This is the result of a sense—an imperfect but... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Song of Solomon 1:2-4

Desire after God. Translated into language more congenial to our ordinary Christian thought, these verses may be taken as a parabolic setting forth of the blessed truth contained in the well known words of the psalm, "My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God; when shall I come and appear before God?" It surely would be speaking blasphemy, and an abasement of the Bible, if we were to look on the sensuous words with which these verses begin as meaning nothing more than they say in their... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Song of Solomon 1:3

Thine ointments have a goodly fragrance; thy name is as ointment poured forth; therefore do the virgins love thee. There is some slight difference among critics as to the rendering of this verse, but it does not affect the meaning. Lovely and delightful thou art. As thy perfumes are so precious, so is thy name; the more it is spread, the more delight is found in it. The idea is that the person is the sweetest, and that his communications are elevating and inspiring. The "virgins" may be... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Song of Solomon 1:3

Christ's Name. "His Name is as ointment poured forth." We apply the text to him. It cannot be shown that such application is wrong. Perfumes largely used in the East—in acts of worship; in entertainments, as marks of favour to honoured guests (cf. Psalms 23:1-6 .; John 12:1-50 .). The Name of Christ is here likened to such precious perfume, the sweet odour of which fills the whole house, as did that which Mary poured on the Lord. The "Name" stands for all that Christ is to us. The... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Song of Solomon 1:3

The fragrant name. The sense of smell furnishes much of the imagery of this poetical book. Perfumes not only gratify the smell, they awaken the emotions, and have a remarkable power of reviving, by association, bygone scenes and far-distant friends and companions, in whose society the fragrant wild flowers or blooms of the garden have been enjoyed. Perfumed unguents were in the East employed for anointing the body, for health and comfort. Their use was associated with hospitable reception... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Song of Solomon 1:4

Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will make mention of thy love more than of wine: rightly do they love thee. This is best taken as all spoken by the bride. It is the language of the purest affection and adoring admiration. "I drew them," God says ( Hosea 11:4 ), "with cords of a man, with bands of love." "The Lord appeared of old unto me," says Jeremiah ( Jeremiah 31:3 ), "saying, Yea, I have loved thee... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Song of Solomon 1:4

Divine attraction. There is evidence of attraction throughout the physical universe. The earth draws all things upon it towards its centre; it draws the moon and keeps it revolving round itself. The sun draws the planets, which in their regular orbits unconsciously yield to the influence which he unconsciously exerts. We cannot study any bodies, however distant and however vast, without perceiving the power of attraction. And this power is as manifest in the molecule as in the mass; there... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Song of Solomon 1:4

The joyful celebration of Divine love. The king is represented as conducting his friends and guests into his splendid palace, admitting them to the apartments reserved for his most intimate and favoured courtiers, and thus revealing to them his condescension and affection. Such treatment awakens their joy, and calls forth the celebration of his love. The whole scene is symbolical of the privileges and the sacred delights of those who share in the "shining of God's countenance." I. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Song of Solomon 1:4-7

The soul's joy in the love of God. "The king hath brought me into his chambers," etc. If we may take this book as only an allegory, we find suggested in these verses this subject of the soul's joy. I. SUCH JOY IS BECAUSE OF THE KING 'S CHAMBERS . He has opened for her the unsearchable riches of his grace, "filled with all pleasant and precious riches" (cf. Proverbs 24:4 ). II. IS VERY GREAT . She will be glad and rejoice. She will "remember" his "love more... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Song of Solomon 1:4-8

The Christian soul, its trials and triumphs. The maiden who speaks has been separated unwillingly from her beloved, after whom she incessantly mourns; she is kept in the king's chambers, the apartments of the women in his palace at Jerusalem. They ridicule her swarthy look, and she tells how her half-brothers had been unkind to her, and had made her work in the drudgery of the vineyards, beneath the scorching sun. Those about her wonder and scoff at her persistent affection. The story may... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Song of Solomon 1:2

The Pulpit Commentary - Song of Solomon 1:2-4

The Pulpit Commentary - Song of Solomon 1:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Song of Solomon 1:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Song of Solomon 1:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Song of Solomon 1:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Song of Solomon 1:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Song of Solomon 1:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Song of Solomon 1:4-7

The Pulpit Commentary - Song of Solomon 1:4-8

Group of Brands