Song 6 – The Bride compared to a lovely garden
(Song of Solomon 4:8-16Song of Solomon 4:8-16XWaiting for response to Song of Solomon 5:1)Song of Solomon 5:1XWaiting for response
Bridegroom
I am come into my garden, my sister, my spouse: I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk: eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved.
The opening verses of song 7 very much set its tone, with the Bride manifesting the physical effects of separation from her Bridegroom – “my heart waketh”, “my bowels were moved for him”, “my soul failed”, “I am sick of [Revised Standard Version: “with”] love”. This, we reflect, is the way that we should each feel about our long-time wait for our Lord’s return! We also should be affected, both heart and soul!
Whilst he remains away, each first day of the week we are mercifully reminded of our Lord Jesus through the tokens of his sacrifice (the emblems of the bread and wine). Similarly, in this song, the fretful Bride having gone to the door, anticipating her beloved’s imminent return, is confronted only by a confection associated with death and burial (just as we, week-by-week, “shew the Lord’s death till he come” 1 Corinthians 11:26)1 Corinthians 11:26XWaiting for response (For the scriptural use of “myrrh” see particularly Mark 15:23Mark 15:23XWaiting for response and John 19:39)John 19:39XWaiting for response
There is remarkable depth to the imagery employed here. Evidently the Bridegroom had acted first (as also noted in song 1), reaching forth his hand, and leaving behind “upon the handles” “sweet smelling myrrh”. Afterwards, the Bride, having been “moved”, takes positive action and seeks after her beloved, albeit the two are not immediately united. The parallels with our own position relative to our Lord Jesus must be clear to all. As Jesus taught Thomas, we are amongst those who are blessed to have not seen and yet to have believed (John 20:29).John 20:29XWaiting for response
What disappointment, is conjured up by these words! (v.6)Song Of Solomon 5:6XWaiting for response
So it is, through the many centuries since Christ’s ascension, that the faithful have ever sensed the nearness of Christ’s return. It is a marvel of God’s unfolding plan and purpose that each generation feels that it is on the very threshold of the coming kingdom. In truth, as we often remind ourselves, it is! For, with the completion of each individual’s probation (just a life’s span), the next waking moment is to be at the time of Christ’s return and the judgement (as Romans 13:11-12Romans 13:11-12XWaiting for response reminds us “now is our salvation nearer than when we [first] believed”).
This should not, we suggest, be a matter of fear for us, although we are neither complacent nor presumptuous. Rather, we should remember that according to God’s gracious character “mercy rejoiceth against judgment” (James 2:13).James 2:13XWaiting for response In the meantime, we must continue a period of probationary trial, perhaps with physical / mental persecution. This aspect is suggested by the reintroduction of the “watchmen”, in verse 7, as we considered in greater detail when looking at song 4.
Of course, the time of waiting is an extreme test of patience (“my soul failed when he spake” says verse 6); but the mutual love that exists between the Bride and Bridegroom is so vast and so deep (for the two are destined to be eternal soul-mates).
The Virgins ask the Bride about what marks out her beloved – what makes him different – why is she so besotted with him? Well, what would be our answer in relation to our future husband, God willing? Surely, so many thoughts come immediately to mind; not least the blessed hope of salvation that he has brought to light for us through the gospel and his loving self-sacrifice. Jesus is to us our Lord, our master, our saviour, our brother and (prospectively) our husband, if the Lord will… so he must be preferred above all other human relationships (as said Jesus himself, in Matthew 10:37).Matthew 10:37XWaiting for response
“chiefest among ten thousand” (5:10) – “ten thousand” is an idiom or Hebraism denoting countless numbers (e.g. Leviticus 26:8;Leviticus 26:8XWaiting for response 2 Samuel 18:3;2 Samuel 18:3XWaiting for response 1 Corinthians 4:15).1 Corinthians 4:15XWaiting for response More specifically, Jesus comes with “ten thousands” (Deuteronomy 33:2)Deuteronomy 33:2XWaiting for response of saints, of which he is the proclaimed head
What follows is a description of ten aspects of the Bridegroom, generally starting from the top of the body and working down. Let us, then, progress with a suggested interpretation of some of the detailed symbols. However, overall, it is first instructive to note the two-part introduction: “My beloved is white and ruddy” (5:10). We suggest that we have illustrated here both Jesus as the ‘Son of God’, “white” and radiant, as in the transfiguration (Matthew 17:2,5)Matthew 17:2,5XWaiting for response and Jesus as the ‘Son of Man’ like the earth, red / “ruddy” (Heb. adom).
Next follows the most detailed description of the Bridegroom, across any of the twelve songs, with each element (and the ten body parts mentioned) significant.
The Bride concludes this comprehensive description beautifully: “This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem” (5:16). In this we are reminded that we are Jesus’ friends if we do whatever he commands us, and that it was for his friends that he laid down his life (John 15:13-14).John 15:13-14XWaiting for response
“head… fine gold” (5:11) – “gold” signifies royalty (being Jesus’ other birth gift) and tried faith (1 Peter 1:7).1 Peter 1:7XWaiting for response We observe the distinction between this and the head of gold of Nebuchadnezzar’s image, which represented earthly motivations
“locks bushy… black… raven” (5:11) – we can compare this to the description of the Nazarite in Numbers 6. “Bushy” in Young’s Literal Translation is “flowing”
“eyes… doves… rivers of waters, washed with milk” (5:12) – the Bridegroom has dove’s eyes, as does the Bride (Song of Solomon 4:1).Song of Solomon 4:1XWaiting for response In other words, she, as was the case with Eve, is a help that is “meet for him” or answers to him (see Genesis 2:17,Genesis 2:17XWaiting for response which in the New English Translation includes the phrase “companion who corresponded to him”). The other imagery that follows can be compared to Isaiah 55:1Isaiah 55:1XWaiting for response “thirsteth, come ye to the waters” “come, buy wine and milk”; the Bridegroom’s spiritual eyesight always being informed by God’s Word (Psalm 19:8)Psalm 19:8XWaiting for response
“cheeks… bed of spices” (5:13) – a beard, as a sign of spiritual maturity(?) The New English Translation has it “His cheeks are like garden beds full of balsam trees yielding perfume”
“lips like lilies, dropping sweet smelling myrrh” (5:13) – the lily epitomises grace and beauty (see Matthew 6:28),Matthew 6:28XWaiting for response as were / are the lips of the Lord Jesus Christ (John 1:14).John 1:14XWaiting for response Then we have another reference to “myrrh”, indicative of the Lord’s sacrifice; in fact 8 of the 17 appearances of myrrh in the whole of scripture are in the Song of Songs
“hands… gold rings [New King James Version: “rods”]… beryl” (5:14) – once again, gold is indicative of tried faith. If “rings” is rather “rods” then perhaps this could indicate the fingers (or else, as in the New International Version “His arms are rods of gold”). “Beryl” is the stone indicating judgement (being the stone of Dan, Exodus 28:20,Exodus 28:20XWaiting for response whose name means ‘judge’). The Bridegroom will come as righteous judge of the world (see Isaiah 11:1-4)Isaiah 11:1-4XWaiting for response
“belly [New King James Version: “body”] bright ivory… sapphires” (5:14) – “ivory” is reputed for its hardness, being apparently unbreakable and incorruptible (mentioned in 1 Kings 10:181 Kings 10:18XWaiting for response as being used for Solomon’s throne). “Sapphire” is a heavenly stone (due to its colour), signifying that which is divine / spirit (see cherubim description in Ezekiel 1:26;Ezekiel 1:26XWaiting for response Ezekiel 10:1)Ezekiel 10:1XWaiting for response
“legs… pillars of marble… sockets of fine gold” (5:15) – we are introduced to yet another solid / substantial material, “marble”, suggesting strength and uprightness in the legs. These legs in gold sockets have ensured a walk that is refining in its effect, with the character tried and tested (as referred to in Job 23:10),Job 23:10XWaiting for response yet remaining firm / steadfast
“countenance is as Lebanon, excellent as the cedars” (5:15) – the cedar of Lebanon is majestic / strong and fruitful (Psalm 92:12);Psalm 92:12XWaiting for response being planted by God (Psalm 104:16).Psalm 104:16XWaiting for response It is no coincidence that it featured significantly (as do many of the descriptive materials in the Song of Songs) in Solomon’s temple (e.g. its structure, 1 Kings 7:2)1 Kings 7:2XWaiting for response
“mouth is most sweet” (5:16) – “mouth” in the Revised Standard Version is “speech”; this is able to convey sweet / pleasant things, that is from God’s Word (Psalm 119:103)Psalm 119:103XWaiting for response
Song 7 - His first advent and love’s awakening
(Song of Solomon 5:2-16Song of Solomon 5:2-16XWaiting for response to Song of Solomon 6:1-10)Song of Solomon 6:1-10XWaiting for response
Bride
I sleep, but my heart waketh: it is the voice of my beloved that knocketh, saying, Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled: for my head is filled with dew, and my locks with the drops of the night. I have put off my coat; how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet; how shall I defile them? My beloved put in his hand by the hole of the door, and my bowels were moved for him. I rose up to open to my beloved; and my hands dropped with myrrh, and my fingers with sweet smelling myrrh, upon the handles of the lock. I opened to my beloved; but my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone: my soul failed when he spake: I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer. The watchmen that went about the city found me, they smote me, they wounded me; the keepers of the walls took away my veil from me. I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if ye find my beloved, that ye tell him, that I am sick of love.
Virgins
What is thy beloved more than another beloved, O thou fairest among women? what is thy beloved more than another beloved, that thou dost so charge us?
Bride
My beloved is white and ruddy, the chiefest among ten thousand. His head is as the most fine gold, his locks are bushy, and black as a raven. His eyes are as the eyes of doves by the rivers of waters, washed with milk, and fitly set. His cheeks are as a bed of spices, as sweet flowers: his lips like lilies, dropping sweet smelling myrrh. His hands are as gold rings set with the beryl: his belly is as bright ivory overlaid with sapphires. His legs are as pillars of marble, set upon sockets of fine gold: his countenance is as Lebanon, excellent as the cedars. His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.