Song 4 Christ commendeth his church for her beauty, Song 4:1–7. He calleth her to go with him, Song 4:8, manifesting his love and affection for her, Song 4:9. A further commendation of her, Song 4:10–15.

These and the following words are evidently spoken by the Bridegroom to and concerning his spouse. Thou art fair, not in thyself, but by my beauty, being clothed with my righteousness, and adorned with all the graces of my Spirit, which I acknowledge to be in thee.

Thy teeth are like a flock, numerous, and placed in due order, of sheep; which is here fitly supplied out of Song 6:6, where it is expressed. Even shorn; smooth and even, as also clean and white, whereas unshorn sheep retain much filth in their wool, even after their washing.

Thy lips are like a thread of scarlet; fine, and smooth, and soft, and round, and red, in which the beauty of the lips consisteth. Thy speech is comely; which is added, partly as another ingredient of an amiable person, and partly to explain the foregoing metaphor.

Thy neck: this may seem to represent the grace of faith, by which we are united to Christ, as the body is to the head by the neck, and through which Christians receive their spiritual food, and consequently their strength and ability for action.

Thy two breasts; another part in which beauty consists, Ezek. 16:7. By which some understand the two testaments, or the two sacraments; but these are rather Christ’s than the church’s breasts. Others, the church’s fervent love to Christ, and to all the saints, for the breasts signify love, Prov.

Until the day break, and the shadows flee away: these words are uttered by the bride, Song 2:17, and here returned by the Bridegroom, as an answer to that request. And this place may be understood either, 1. Of the day of the gospel, when all legal shadows shall vanish; or, 2.

Thou art all fair; it is needless to mention the several beauties of all thy parts, for, in one word, thou art wholly beautiful; and it may be said more truly of thee than it was of Absalom, 2 Sam. 14:25, that from the sole of thy foot to the crown of thy head there is no blemish in thee.

Come with me unto the mountains of myrrh, &c., mentioned Song 4:6, from Lebanon, a known mountain in the north of Canaan, which is sometimes mentioned as a pleasant and glorious place, as Song 5:15, Isa. 35:2, Hos.

Thou hast ravished my heart; I am overcome with thy beauty, and therefore am so desirous of thy company. My sister; so he calls her, partly because both he and she had one and the same father, to wit, God, yea, and mother too, being both at this time born in and of the commonwealth and church of…

How fair, how amiable and acceptable to me, is thy love! I do not disdain thy love, as I might do, but take it kindly, and prize it highly. How much better is thy love than wine! of which See Poole “Song 1:2”, See Poole “Song 1:4”.

Thy lips drop as the honey-comb; thy speeches both to me in prayer and praises, and to men for their edification, are highly acceptable to me. Honey and milk; words more sweet and comfortable than honey or milk.

A garden, for order and beauty, for pleasant walks, and flowers, and fruits. Enclosed; either, 1. Defended by the care of my providence; or, 2. Reserved for my proper use. She will not admit of other lovers, either false teachers or worldly lusts, but keeps herself close for me.

Thy plants, the plants of thy garden, believers which are planted in thee, are an orchard; are like the plants or fruits of an orchard, which are pleasant to the eye, and delicious to the taste or smell, such as are here mentioned in the following words; whereby he signifies the variety and…

Trees of frankincense; such trees as produce frankincense. Or, as others, both ancient and modern, render it, trees of Lebanon; such sweet-smelling trees and plants as grew in Lebanon, of which See Poole “Song 4:11”.

These are the words either, 1. Of the bride, who returns this answer to the Bridegroom. Thou callest me a fountain, but in truth thou only art that fountain from whence I derive all my streams of comfort; or rather, 2.

Awake; or, arise; either, 1. To be gone, as being commonly hurtful to plants and gardens; or rather, 2. To come, as the next clause explains it. For both the north wind and the south wind have their several uses in gardens; the former to purge and cool the air, and to bring fair weather; the latter…