Matthew Henry Commentary Song of Solomon 1

This is "the Song of songs," excellent above any others, for it is wholly taken up with describing the excellences of Christ, and the love between him and his redeemed people.

The church, or rather the believer, speaks here in the character of the spouse of the King, the Messiah. The kisses of his mouth mean those assurances of pardon with which believers are favored, filling them with peace and joy in believing, and causing them to abound in hope by the power of the Holy Ghost. Gracious souls take most pleasure in loving Christ and being loved by him. Christ's love is more valuable and desirable than the best this world can give.

The name of Christ is not now like ointment sealed up, but like ointment poured forth; which denotes the freeness and fullness of the setting forth of his grace by the gospel. Those whom he has redeemed and sanctified are here the virgins that love Jesus Christ and follow him wherever he goes (Revelation 14:4). They entreat him to draw them by the quickening influences of his Spirit. The more clearly we discern Christ's glory, the more aware we will be that we are unable to follow him suitably, and at the same time be more desirous of doing so.

Observe the speedy answer given to this prayer. Those who wait at Wisdom's gate will be led into truth and comfort. And being brought into this chamber, our griefs will vanish. We have no joy but in Christ, and for this we are indebted to him. We will remember to give thanks for your love; it will make more lasting impressions upon us than anything in this world.

Nor is any love acceptable to Christ but love in sincerity (Ephesians 6:24). The daughters of Jerusalem may mean professing believers not yet established in the faith. The spouse was black as the tents of the wandering Arabs, but comely as the magnificent curtains in the palaces of Solomon. The believer is black, as being defiled and sinful by nature, but comely, as renewed by Divine grace to the holy image of God. He is still deformed with remains of sin, but comely as accepted in Christ. He is often base and contemptible in the esteem of men, but excellent in the sight of God.

The blackness was owing to the harsh treatment she had suffered. The children of the church, her mother, but not of God, her Father, were angry with her. They had made her suffer hardships, which caused her to neglect the care of her soul. Thus, under the emblem of a poor female, made the chosen partner of a prince, we are led to consider the circumstances in which the love of Christ is accustomed to find its objects.

They were wretched slaves of sin, in toil or in sorrow, weary and heavy laden, but how great the change when the love of Christ is manifested to their souls!

Song of Solomon 1:7–8 Observe the title given to Christ, O thou whom my soul loveth. Those who do so may come to him boldly and may humbly plead with him. Is it with God's people a noontime of outward troubles and inward conflicts? Christ has rest for them.

Those whose souls love Jesus Christ earnestly desire to share in the privileges of his flock. Turning aside from Christ is what gracious souls dread more than anything else. God is ready to answer prayer.

Follow the track, ask for the good old way, observe the footsteps of the flock, and look to what has been the practice of godly people. Sit under the direction of good ministers, beside the tents of the under-shepherds. Bring your charge with you; they will all be welcome.

It will be the earnest desire and prayer of the Christian that God would so direct him in his worldly business, and so order his situation and employment, that he may have his Lord and Savior always before him.

The Bridegroom gives high praise to His spouse. In the sight of Christ, believers are the excellent of the earth, equipped to be instruments for promoting His glory. The spiritual gifts and graces that Christ bestows on every true believer are described by the ornaments in use at that time (Song of Solomon 1:10, 11). The graces of the saints are many, but they are dependent on each other. He who is the Author, will be the Finisher of the good work.

The grace received from Christ's fullness springs forth into lively exercises of faith, affection, and gratitude. Yet Christ, not His gifts, is most precious to them. The word translated "camphire" signifies "atonement or propitiation." Christ is dear to all believers because He is the propitiation for their sins. No pretender must have His place in the soul.

They resolved to lodge Him in their hearts all night—that is, throughout the persistence of life's troubles. Christ takes delight in the good work that His grace has worked in the souls of believers. This should prompt all who are made holy to be very thankful for that grace that has made fair those who by nature were deformed. The spouse (the believer) has a humble, modest eye, revealing simplicity and godly sincerity—eyes enlightened and guided by the Holy Spirit, that blessed Dove.

The church expresses her value for Christ: "You are the great Original, but I am only a faint and imperfect copy." Many are fair to look at, yet their temper renders them unpleasant; but Christ is fair, yet pleasant. The believer (Song of Solomon 1:16) speaks with praise of those holy ordinances in which true believers have fellowship with Christ. Whether the believer is in the courts of the Lord or in retirement, whether following his daily labors or confined to the bed of sickness, or even in a dungeon, a sense of the Divine presence will turn the place into a paradise.

Thus the soul, daily having fellowship with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, enjoys a lively hope of an incorruptible, undefiled, and unfading inheritance above.