PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Pulpit Commentary — Song of Songs
Robert Ainslie Redford [1828-1906] · 201,886 words · 222 reading sections
The Pulpit Commentary — Song of Songs — Section 181
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vers. 10-13.-0hristian missions. "I am my beloved's," etc. The scene is still in "the king's chambers" at Jerusalem. What Solomon bas said to her whom be would win is of no avail; her heart is true to her beloved. This emphatic redeclaration of her love for that beloved one is all the resp…
612 wordsSECTION 182The Pulpit Commentary — Song of Songs — Section 182
highest fruitfulness is the result of patient culture. Prosperity is threatened by many foes. Iluman agency must co-operate with Divine power in order "to bring forth fruit unto perfection." Every flower and blossom is an outburst of God's glory. Earth is crnmmed full of heavenly things. I. IN ALL HOLY SERVICE TRF. MO…
793 wordsSECTION 183The Pulpit Commentary — Song of Songs — Section 183
intercourse with Jeeue. If he spake the promise, "Lo, I am with you alway," certainly he will fulfil H. Why should he not? Is anything too hard for him to nccomplisb? Some imagine that the real presence of Christ is to be found only in the sacrament of the Supper, This is a delusion. Bis real presence is ever in the sp…
929 wordsSECTION 184The Pulpit Commentary — Song of Songs — Section 184
plcnsing Christ, and the blessedness of his company, nullifies the pnin and overcomos the discomfort.. Soon the self-denial loses its sting. The loss becomes a gnin, and every thorn blossoms int-0 a rose. "Out of the eater comes forth meat, and out of tho biUer comes forth sweetness." 'l'he love of Christ chan"es cv…
870 wordsSECTION 185The Pulpit Commentary — Song of Songs — Section 185
let the alarm-bell of the gospel sound in bis e11r. Such methods as true wisrlom and love can devise should be vigorously employed. How precious is the moment! .Anon it will have fled. '!'here is much to be done. Impression has to be m~dc, instruction given, feeling aroused, conviction wrought, desire excited, resol…
926 wordsSECTION 186The Pulpit Commentary — Song of Songs — Section 186
not our hc>:irts be all aglow with joy? For nothing on earth is more sure th1m this, ih:it if I give my whole self unreservedly to Jesus, he bas impelled me to do it 1md npon me he confers the wealth of his eternal friendship. "My Beloved is mine' and I am his. "-D. ' Yer. 6.-Thefair11ess of love. The commendations of…
821 wordsSECTION 187The Pulpit Commentary — Song of Songs — Section 187
I. CHnISTIAN SPEF:OH IS SWEET AS TESTIFYING TO THE CHARACTER OF THE SPEAKER. 1. Sincerity is the first condition of all acceptable speech; it is above all things desimbl~ that thero should be no discordance between the utterance and the heart. The flatterer at court 11nd in general society speaks only to pleaBe; and in…
1,020 wordsSECTION 188The Pulpit Commentary — Song of Songs — Section 188
Vers. 11, 12.-Divine companionship. Man was made, not for solitude, but for society; not for selfishness, but for love. This principle of human nature and life is taken up by religion, and is employed for man's highest, spiritua}, immortal interests. The soul which yields itself to Christ delights in his fellowship, an…
664 wordsSECTION 189The Pulpit Commentary — Song of Songs — Section 189
EXPOSITION. pride of life." She woulcl blend her whole CHAPTER VIII. existence with that of her Lord. I ,conld Vers. 1-3.-0h that thou wert as my lcise thee; yea, and none would de.qpise me. hrothar, that sucked the breasts of my Nothing can more exquisitely and delicately mother! When I should find thee without, ex…
795 wordsSECTION 190The Pulpit Commentary — Song of Songs — Section 190
essences," ns in the Eni:t. The juice, or more in the t.houghls of the hride, becauso pressed juice, of the pomegranate is a de• it has hocn sublimated into tho higher licious drink. There is no allusion to ·any sistc,rly love of which she has been speak- lm·<'-symbol. The grains of the pomegra- ing? She is not mere…
1,001 wordsSECTION 191The Pulpit Commentary — Song of Songs — Section 191
cirm of her husband, as they were seen before over tbe windows or trained upon the trellis in the time of their "first love." The restora- snrrounding the 'house, . 'f~o hridegrno111 tion of" first lovo" is often tho prayer of the points to it. "Sec, there it 1s, the fum1!1ar disciple, feeling how for he foils short of…
1,052 wordsSECTION 192The Pulpit Commentary — Song of Songs — Section 192
hmu-t. and a~ R bmoelet on thine arm." The )11,tion to the world. As the Now •rest11me11t 1;nme,simile is not infrequent in the prophets, would not have been completo without the The desire of Shulamith was to escape all meEsA.g-e of the beloved disoiple, so this Ohl possibility of those declensions of which she Testam…
1,063 wordsSECTION 193The Pulpit Commentary — Song of Songs — Section 193
ls the dny in which she shall be spoken for? the meaning be no more than thi. '-She Some h11ve said tl111t the Ii ttle sister repre• moy become oDP. of the most •nbste.ntie.l sonte the llrstfruits of the Jews and Gentiles parts of the building, like a wall; in that reccho,I into tho Christian Church imme- ce.se e.11 th…
1,059 wordsSECTION 194The Pulpit Commentary — Song of Songs — Section 194
before me: thou 1 0 Solomon, shalt have a prescribed number of viuee in el\ch portion. tho11B&I1d, and thoee that keep the fruit In 1811. vii. 23 we rel\d, "And it elmll come thereof two hundred. The meaning seems to pl\Ss in thl\t day that every plo.ce where to be affectionate approval of the method just there were…
1,067 wordsSECTION 195The Pulpit Commentary — Song of Songs — Section 195
who boa,r the nnme of the Beloved "beo.r writer'a own history. He placed it on the much fruit." 'l'hen tho keepers of the vine- altar of God, no doubt, at a time when it yo.rd will themselves rejoice, not that they represented sincere feelings in his heart, anti ronp a larger harvest of this world's good, not becaus…
1,155 wordsSECTION 196The Pulpit Commentary — Song of Songs — Section 196
HOMILETICS. Vers. 1-4.- Wis11es of the bride. 1. That she had known the bridegroom always~ The bride continues the address of eh. vii. She is still speaking to the king, tellin<>' him of her love. He had again and again called her his sister-his sister-bride, Sb; now wishes that he were to her as a brother ; that they…
732 wordsSECTION 197The Pulpit Commentary — Song of Songs — Section 197
grncious promises to the penitent sinner. He "will not despise the broken and the contrite heart," "If the wicked will tum from all his sins that he bath committed, nnd keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely Ii ve, he shall not die. All his transgressions that he hath committed, th…
931 wordsSECTION 198The Pulpit Commentary — Song of Songs — Section 198
thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the lwalth of my countenance and my God" (Ps. xiii. 11). Vers. 5-14.-Entire union of wedded love. I. COMMUNION OF THE DRIDEGROOM A i-.D THE BRIDE. 1. .Approach of the bride. "Who is this?" The question is ask ell for the third time (see…
917 wordsSECTION 199The Pulpit Commentary — Song of Songs — Section 199
while by faith we lea.n upon him, resting our weakne~s on his stren•>tli, thr•n c,11r 11rogress is a.ssured. We need that presence always, in all the little trials of our cbily lives, in the greater sorrows and perplexities that emerge from time to time. That presence trnnsfigurcs our life, turning troubles into blessi…
847 wordsSECTION 200The Pulpit Commentary — Song of Songs — Section 200
kYvs him with II love like that c,f Ruth: "The Lord do so to me, nnd more also if aught but death part thee and me" ( ltuth i. 17). 'l'hat love, strong as death, the l~vo of thn~c wedded souls who in true affection have plighted their troth, oilhor to other "till dPath us do part," is a figure of the holy love that …
965 wordsSECTION 201The Pulpit Commentary — Song of Songs — Section 201
by hi~ presence, can attain unto such knowledge of God a:i i, nuw granted lo us(" X,,w we see through a glass, darkly , .. now 1 know in part," 1 Cor. xiii, 12), and <lwell in communion with God, God jealously desires the possession of that spirit. There- furn the Christian's love for God must be a jealous love; he mus…
933 wordsSECTION 202The Pulpit Commentary — Song of Songs — Section 202
vincyRrd with her own. The king, she says, had one of great extent and value; every one of the keepers was to bring him a thousand shekels. Then she adds, "My vine- yard, which is mine, is before me." Her vineyard was small; it lay before her eyes. It now passes into the hand of Solomon; it is his. He must have a thous…
1,257 wordsSECTION 203The Pulpit Commentary — Song of Songs — Section 203
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vere. 1-4.-" Oh that men would understand I" Such seems to be the sentiment of these verses. She who speaks grieves that those about her did not see how natural and right was her love for her beloved. She could almost wish he were her brother insteart of her betrothed, for then those who s…
496 wordsSECTION 204The Pulpit Commentary — Song of Songs — Section 204
like Mary, sit at her Lord's feet and listen to him. And even good people like Mnrth11 think such conduct not "a good part," and that opportunity for it ought to "be taken away from her." 4. The giving to him of her best, '!'his the meaning of "the wine prepared from the pomegranate" (ver. 2). Such a sincerely loving s…
920 wordsSECTION 205The Pulpit Commentary — Song of Songs — Section 205
Ver. 6.~Love's prayer. , ~•Set me ae a seal," etc. 1. That she may be precU)'IJ,s in (J/iriBt's esteem. As ,e. seal, a signet-ring, of great value. 2. That she may dwell vn his love. " On. thine heart." Aleo: 3. That she may en;'oy the benefit of his intercession . .'.!.'here is allusion, apparently, to. the jewels e…
857 wordsSECTION 206The Pulpit Commentary — Song of Songs — Section 206
If it. will not-and this is the sadder and more probable truth-behold, gaze on, contem- plate earnestly, Christ's love to us; and then for us, too, it may come to pass, "whilst I was musing, the fire bumed."-S. 0. Vers. 8, 9.-The litt'le sister. This verse seems to be an inquiry on the part of those who are heard spea…
874 wordsSECTION 207The Pulpit Commentary — Song of Songs — Section 207
eonght by every means in his power to bend her will to his, but she had remained faithful to her beloved. She tells of his great estate and of the wealth he obtained from it; but-speaking of her own love-she says she has kept her vineyard, and that it needed no guardian. King Solomon may keep his wealth, and his tenant…
878 wordsSECTION 208The Pulpit Commentary — Song of Songs — Section 208
III. HER EAGERNESS FOR BIB COMING. (Ver. 14.) Of. last verse of the Revelation, " Amen, come quickly. Even so, come, Lord Jesus " ( cf. eh. ii. 17). Wherefore this eagerness? Because to the soul aglow with love to him o1ll joy is sorrow without him, and all sorrow joy ,vith him. The kingdom of evil needs to be subdued,…
853 wordsSECTION 209The Pulpit Commentary — Song of Songs — Section 209
Would it not be madness to encumber one's self with soft couches and iuxur1ous inuui- gences while on a journey? Would not such things seriously impede our progress? And is it not the one desire of a pilgrim to advance as rapidly as possible? To reach the end of bis pilgrimage at the earliest hour is the uppermost desi…
914 wordsSECTION 210The Pulpit Commentary — Song of Songs — Section 210
As the ivy clings for support to the oak, or as the limpet clings to the eolid rock, so may we in our native weakness cling to the eternal Strength. As our faith grows, so will grow our love; and love, a.gain, will encourage faith. There ie a beautiful inter- action. We lean upon Jesus because he is our Well-beloved.-D…
934 wordsSECTION 211The Pulpit Commentary — Song of Songs — Section 211
to remodel and revitalize my whole nature. No one else can do it. His strength is almightiness. Ir he will use hie Divine power for my good, I shall be emancipated ar.d purified and ennobled, I shall run gladly in hie ways. And he is willing to do it. He delights in saving men and in doing good. So I will pray, "0 Savi…
932 wordsSECTION 212The Pulpit Commentary — Song of Songs — Section 212
flame of love no amount of coldness or opposition will cool it in the least degree. Let Satan and his legions do their very utmost to lessen the intensity of this heavenly fl.o.mc, their labour is vain. They only prepare for themselves a bitter disappointment. Or let the floods of human vice and human antagonism rise a…
859 wordsSECTION 213The Pulpit Commentary — Song of Songs — Section 213
things consist." 3. liis clOAm isfown,ded, on acknowledgment. We admit that we ara not our own. The enlightened conscience of every man testifies that God is the supreme Owner. We ere not masters even of ourselves, nor of. our own life. We did not choose in what year, or in what city, or in what family, we would be bo…
923 wordsSECTION 214The Pulpit Commentary — Song of Songs — Section 214
_iudgment." It is the end for which he he.a toiled and waited. Just as the busy farmer rejoices greatly when his last harvest-sheaves are garnered, because his toil has reached e. SUC'.cessful end; so the disembodied Christian presents himself before his Lord with rapturous joy. For, with the fruits of his toil surr…
835 wordsSECTION 215The Pulpit Commentary — Song of Songs — Section 215
influence ie felt in moulding the Church. The Church will be either better or worse for my presence. My zeal for fruitfulness will be contagious. My devoutness will lift tho Church to a loftier elevation. Or my unspirituality will chill the ardour of the Church's love, I cannot be an idle spectator. I must do good work…
890 wordsSECTION 216The Pulpit Commentary — Song of Songs — Section 216
be full." As an earthly fathor delights to hear the silvery prattle of his little child ann no request from an infant's lips goes unheeded; so our God finds peculiar pleaeu1·; in hearing our voice of childlike appeal. Before we finish our petition, the answer is on the way. 2. This reqtt&t is an outcome of Christ's re…
1,010 wordsSECTION 217The Pulpit Commentary — Song of Songs — Section 217
Vere. l-3.-17ie Mdowr of spiritual love. There is no measure, no restraint, in this language. If it is possible for human love, when duly placed, to be too fervent and absorbing, this is when that is given to the creature which it behoves us to reserve for the Creator. Passion and poetry combine to express the deepest …
762 wordsSECTION 218The Pulpit Commentary — Song of Songs — Section 218
be fnll.'' As an earthly fe.thar delights to hear the silvery prattle of his little child ~nri no _request from an iD:ran_t's lips goes nnheeded; so ?ur God fiD;ds peculiar ple11sui~ m hearmg our voice of childlike appeal. Before we finish our petition, the answer is on the way. 2. This req'U6St is an outcome ef Okr…
991 wordsSECTION 219The Pulpit Commentary — Song of Songs — Section 219
Vere. 1-3.-Tlie (]//'dowr of spiritual love. There is no measure, no restraint, in this language. If it is possible for human love, when duly placed, to be too fervent and absorbing, this is when that is given to the creature which it behoves us to reserve for the Creator. Passion and poetry combine to express the deep…
764 wordsSECTION 220The Pulpit Commentary — Song of Songs — Section 220
fain go alone are not Christ's. So surely as he chooses hie own, so surely does he put withiB them a spirit of subjection and attachment to himself. A cry for leading Qnd for support comes up from the depths of the spiritual nl\turo-a cry to which Christ is never indifferent, to which Christ always responds. He bids he…
792 wordsSECTION 221The Pulpit Commentary — Song of Songs — Section 221
Vera. 11, 12.-Tlie reward of thefaitliful. The vine was cultivated very generally in eomo pC1rts of Palestine, and afforded the Hebrew poets and prophets many similitudes, especially of the life of the nation and the Church. The incident related in these verses is npo.rt from the main interest and plot of the work, but…
826 wordsSECTION 222The Pulpit Commentary — Song of Songs — Section 222
TB&l(B PA.GB CHAPTER L The Fragrant Ne.me 3-J, THEHE PAGE Divine Attraction 35 The Prologue 8 The Joyfnl Celebration of Divine Dialogue between the Bride and the Love ... 35 Chorus 10 The Keeper of the Vineyards 36 Tbe Communion of the Bridegroom The Shepherd's Ca.re 37 and the Bride ... 12 Love and Admiration 37 "T…
745 wordsSource & rights
Public domain historical Pulpit Commentary. Source page identifies the volume as Public Domain; text extracted from its historical PDF.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.