This chapter begins with Christ’s answer to the church’s request; in which he informs her, that he was come into his garden, as she desired, and gives an account of what he had done there; and kindly invites his dear friends to feast with him there, Song 5:1; Then she relates her case and…

I am come into my garden, my sister, my spouse This verse should rather have concluded the preceding chapter, being Christ’s answer to the church’s request, which was speedily and exactly granted as she desired; which shows it was according to the will of Christ, and of which he informs her; for…

I sleep, but my heart waketh Like persons that are half awake, half asleep, whom Cicero [[22]] calls “semisomni”. Christ and the church having feasted together at his invitation, she soon after fell asleep, as the disciples did after a repast with their Lord; yet not so fast asleep but that she was…

I have put off my coat In order to lie down on her bed at night, and take her ease; meaning her conversation garments, which she had not been careful of to keep, but had betook herself to carnal ease and rest, and was off her watch and guard, ; and being at ease, and free from trouble, affliction,…

My beloved put in his hand by the hole of the door To remove the bolt or bar which kept him from entering in. By the “door” is meant the door of her heart, which was in a great measure shut against Christ, through the prevalence of corruption; and the “hole” in it shows that it was not entirely…

I rose up to open to my beloved As soon as touched by the hand of mighty grace, she not only resolved to rise, but actually rose, and that directly, not being easy to lie any longer on her bed of carnal security; being now made heartily and thoroughly willing to let in her beloved, who she supposed…

I opened to my beloved Which was what he desired, and was done in virtue of his putting in his hand by the hole of the door; or by the exertion of his efficacious grace, working in her both to will and to do, without which it would not have been done; namely, her heart dilated, the desires and…

The watchmen that went about the city, found me Of the city and the watchmen in it, and of their finding the church, (See Gill on Song 3:2); (See Gill on Song 3:3); they smote me, they wounded me; taking her for a night walker, they gave her ill words and hard blows this was not very becoming…

I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem Young converts, as before observed; who, upon the hideous outcry the church made in the streets, came to her to know what was the matter, whom she addressed as after related; this shows the humility and condescension of the church, in desiring the assistance…

What is thy beloved more than another beloved, O thou fairest among women? &c.] The same title Christ gives her, ; and from whom these daughters seem to have taken it; and, in giving it to her, might be assured they were right, since he, who knew her perfectly well, so calls her; in what sense she…

My beloved is white and ruddy This, and the following verses, contain the church’s answer to the question of the daughters; she first gives a general description of her beloved, and then descends to particulars: the description of him in general is, that he is “white and ruddy”; having the…

His head is as the most fine gold Here the church enters into a particular description and commendation of her beloved, which continues to the end of the chapter; and she begins with his “head”, which she compares to the most fine gold.

His eyes are as the eyes of doves the church’s eyes are said to be, ; which are her ministers, endowed with dove like gifts in measure, as Christ is without measure, in fulness; but these are Christ’s eyes, which may signify his omniscience, who has seven eyes, ; especially as that has respect unto…

His cheeks are as a bed of spices, as sweet flowers Which may intend the presence of Christ with his people in his word and ordinances; often called his “face”, which he shows, and they seek after, than which nothing is more desirable; walking in the light of his countenance is preferable to…

His hands are as gold rings, set with the beryl Beryl is with great propriety mentioned, because it was usual to wear it on the fingers [[24]]. This was one of the precious stones in the breastplate of the high priest, a type of Christ, ; one of the pearl foundations of the New Jerusalem, ; the…

His legs are as pillars of marble, set upon sockets of fine gold The allusion may be to the “femoralia”, or garments on the thighs of the high priest when he ministered in holy things, who was a type of Christ; which were made of thee twined linen, and, as the Rabbins say [[4]], of thread six times…

His mouth is most sweet Or sweetness itself [[9]]; yea, “sweetnesses” [[10]]; exceeding sweet. That is, the words of his month, the doctrines of the Gospel, the precious promises of it, the kind invitations given, and the comfortable things spoken in it; yea, the commands of Christ in his word are…