Song 2 The excellency of the majesty of Christ, Song 2:1, and of his church, Song 2:2. The benefits which the church receives from him, Song 2:3. Christ’s love to his church, Song 2:4. The church sick of love; her prayer for help, Song 2:5. His ears for her in this condition, Song 2:6.

These are the words either, 1. Of the spouse, continuing her discourse. Or rather, 2. Of the bridegroom, drawing forth the church’s affections to him. He compares himself to the rose and lily, for fragrancy and beauty.

As the lily among thorns; compared with thorns, which it unspeakably exceeds in glory and beauty; so is my love among the daughters; so far, and much more, doth my church or people excel all other assemblies or people.

As the apple tree, whose fruit is very pleasant and wholesome, among the trees of the wood, which are either barren, or bear ungrateful and worthless fruit.

Banqueting-house, Heb. house of wine, or, by a common synecdoche, of feasting. By which he understands the places in which, or the means and instruments by which, believers receive the graces and blessings of Christ, to wit, the Holy Scriptures, ministers, and public assemblies, and all Christ’s…

Stay me; or, support me; keep me from sinking or fainting. The spouse speaks this to her bridemaids, the daughters of Jerusalem, as it is expressed, Song 2:7, or to the servants or friends of the Bridegroom there waiting, and to the Bridegroom himself; as a person ready to faint cries to any or all…

Is under my head, as a pillow for me to rest upon. No sooner did I cry out for help, but he was at hand to succour me, and did manifest his tender care and dear love to me.

This verse is spoken either, 1. By the Bridegroom, who having reposed the sick church in his arms, chargeth them not to disturb her till she please, as the last clause in this case must be rendered. Or rather, 2. By the bride, as may be gathered, 1.

The voice of my Beloved! methinks I hear his voice. The spouse being now refreshed and revived with Christ’s presence, awakes out of sleep, and breaks forth into this joyful exclamation.

Like a roe or a young hart; either, 1. In loveliness. Or rather, 2. In swiftness, by comparing this verse with the former. The swiftness of roes is noted 2 Sam. 2:18, 1 Chron. 12:8. He is coming to me with all speed, and will not tarry a moment beyond the appointed and proper season.

My Beloved spake; invited and called me outwardly by his word, and inwardly by his Spirit. Rise up; shake off sloth and security, and disentangle thyself more fully from all the snares of this world, and of thy own lusts, that thou mayst be more ready to come to me, and more fit for my embraces.

The winter; which made the ways in some sort unpassable, and so might seem to hinder or affright thee from coming to me. This winter, and the following rain, may be understood either, 1.

The flowers appear on the earth: this and the following clauses are here alleged as evidences of the spring time, which in the mystical and principal sense seems to signify the day of grace, or the glad tidings of salvation proposed to sinners in the time of the law, by types, and shadows, and…

Green figs; which it shooteth forth as soon as it doth leaves, in the spring time, Matt. 24:32. A good smell; which, though not strong, is pleasant and grateful, and given by it in the progress of the spring.

My dove; so the church is called, partly for her dove-like temper and disposition, because she is chaste, and mild, and harmless, &c. and partly for her dove-like condition, because she is weak, and exposed to persecution, and given to mourning, as doves are, Isa. 38:14, Isa. 59:11, Ezek.

The Bridegroom gives this charge to his bridemen or friends, whose office it is to attend upon him, and to observe his commands; by whom he understands those magistrates and ministers to whom, under Christ, the custody of the vineyards, to wit, the churches, principally belong.

My Beloved is mine, and I am his: these are the words of the bride, who having come to him upon his gracious invitation, now maketh her boast of him, and of that intimate union and communion which was between them. He feedeth among the lilies; either, 1.

Until the day break, and the shadows flee away; until the morning of that great and blessed day of the general resurrection and judgment, when all the shadows, not only of ignorance, and sin, and calamity, but even of all ordinances and outward administrations, shall cease, and make way for the…