Song 7 A further description of the church’ s graces, Song 7:1–7. This design to visit the church, with the blessed effect thereof, Song 7:8–9. She professeth her faith and desire, Song 7:10. She inviteth him to communion with her, Song 7:11. The end thereof, Song 7:12–13.

The Bridegroom, who spake the last words, here continueth his speech, and breaks forth into an elegant and particular description and commendation of the spouse, partly from the parts of her body, and partly from her ornaments; in which the same thing is to be observed which was noted concerning…

Thy navel is like a round goblet, to which it is not unfitly compared, because it is of a round form, and hollow, and hath windings and circlings in it, which wanteth not liquor; thy navel is not only comely, but fruitful.

Which is repeated from Song 4:5, where it is explained.

Thy neck, of which See Poole “Song 4:4”, is as a tower of ivory, clear, and smooth, and long, and straight, and erected. Thine eyes, See Poole “Song 1:15”; See Poole “Song 4:1”, like the fishpools, full, and clear, and quiet, and pleasant.

Thine head, which may signify the church’s mind or understanding, which is seated in the head, upon thee, which is upon thee, or above the rest of thy body, is like Carmel, eminent and pleasant to the eye, and fruitful as Mount Carmel was, as hath been formerly noted; which may note that her mind…

How fair and how pleasant art thou? it were infinite to reckon up all the particulars of thy beauty; in one word, thou art universally amiable beyond expression.

Like to a palm tree, tall and straight, or upright, as a tree. And he seems to mention the palm tree rather than any other, partly because it grows more directly upward than other trees; and partly because it is constantly green and flourishing, and groweth upward in spite of all pressures, and…

I said within myself, I resolved, I will go up to the palm tree; I will climb up, that so I may take hold, as it follows, of the boughs, which do not grow out of the sides, as in other trees, but only at the top of it.

The roof of thy mouth; either, 1. Thy speech, the palate being one of the principal instruments of speech; or rather, 2. Thy taste, whereof the palate or roof of the mouth is the most proper and principal instrument, Job 34:3.

This and the following verses contain the words of the bride, in answer to the Bridegroom’s most endearing expressions delivered in the foregoing verses. His desire is toward me; I perceive, and am fully satisfied, that he heartily loves me.

Let us go forth into the field; that being retired from the crowd, we may more freely and sweetly converse together, and may observe the state of the fruits of the earth. In the villages; in one of the villages, as cities is put for one of the cities, Judg. 12:7.

Let us get up early: the church having offended and lost her Beloved by her former laziness, now doubles her diligence, and discovers how earnestly she was set upon the following work. To the vineyards; to particular congregations. See Song 6:11, Isa. 5:1. Let us see if the vines flourish &c.

Mandrakes: this Hebrew word is used Gen. 30:14–15, and the signification of it is very much doubted and disputed by interpreters; of which see my Latin Synopsis on that place.