The Pulpit Commentary — Song of Songs — Section 22

jay-joy which manifests itself in psalms and hymns 1tnd spiritual songs, 2. The responS6 "/ the choms. The attendant virgins assent. 'l'he love of the Bridegroom is better th1m wine, better than the fragrance of the sweetest of perfumes, sweeter thRn ointment ponred forth which sheds its scent around. The odour of the precious ointment which Mary poured upon t.he Saviour's head filled the house; tbo sweet odour of the nRme of Jesus fills the whole Church; it sheds its penetrating influence everywhere t hronghout the Churoh; "therefore,'' the chorus sings," do the virgins love thee." The plural number seems to remind us that the love of Christ is personal, individual. The bride, the Lamb's wife, is, indeed, the whole company or the elect But the Lord's love is not only general; it does not bless only the Church as a whole, an aggregate; he loves all and each; the whole Church and each separate Christian soul; therefore each separate Christian soul, all who take their lamps and go forth to meet the Bridegroom, rejoice in the Bridegroom's love, and desire above all things to return H. "We love him, because he first loved us." 3. The blended voices of the chorus and the bride. (1) The request: "Draw me, we will run after thee." The bride is listening for the bridegroom'&· call; she is ready to answer. Her virgin-companions join in assenting chorus; they will accompany her. The Christian soul longs for the fulfilment of the,Divine Word, "I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love" (Hos. xi. 4); it pleads that gracious promise, "I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." • "Break up the heavens, 0 Lord I and far, Thro' all yon starlight keen, Draw me, thy bride, a. glittering star, In raiment white e.nd clean." It seems too much to aek; none feel their unworthiness, their guilt, eo keenly as those whom the LorJ is calling nearer to himself. But faith hears his voice arid· believes in his power. If only he will dmw ns, we shall run after him. Love is the magnet of love. When God deigns to shine into his people's hearts to give the light of the know- ledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ, when the blessed wotd, ''We have seen the Lord," is realized in the heart, then the soul runneth in ever0 deepeniiig desire to respond to that condescending love. None can come to Christ, we know, "except. the Father who bath sent me draw him" (John vi. 44); therefore that prayer, C<Draw me, we will run after thee," is often in the Christian's heart, often pleaded by _the Christian's lips. We are weak and helpless; but when he draws us with that holy' invitation, "Come unto me," we must arise, we must run after him. To look back is ruin. "Remember Lot's wife." And his call giveth strength to follow, to run after him. So St. Augustine says in well-known words (' Conf.,' ix. 1), "How sweet did it at once become to me to want the sweetnesses of those toys; and what I feared to be' parted from, was now a joy to part with ! For thou didst cast them fo1th from n;i.e; thou true and highest Sweetness. Thou castedst them forth, and for them enteredst in thyself, sweeter than all pleasures, though not to flesh and blood; brighter than all light, but more hidden than all depths; higher than all honour, but not to the high in their own conceits." (2) The answer. The prayer is heard;. we hear the voice of 'the bride: "The King bath brought me into his chambers." Christ loved the Church, and gave himself for her, that he might present her to himself a glorious Church. The chorus answers, "We will be glad and rejoice in thee." Individual believers make up the great Church of Christ. Once we were afar off; now we are brought near; we are "1ellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God." In proportion ·as we realize our Christian privileges of access unto God we learn to rejoice in the Lord. The fruit of the Spirit is joy; that joy passes all earthly pleasures. Believers will remember the tokens of the Saviour's love, dwelling on them in holy thonght; they will leave no place in their hearts for sensual delights; they will love the Lord in uprightness, in sincerity, e.nd truth. Vere. 5-8.-Dmlogue between the bride and tlte chorus. I. THE BRIDE'S s~NSE OP- UNWOBTHINESB. 1. "1 am blaclc." The country maiden loved by the great krng feels her own imperfections; she artlessly describes her misgivings to th!3 daughte~s of JerUBa\em, who constitute the chorus· she has been accustomed to ru~t1c occupat10ns; she has been ill-treated; the sun has' embrowned her cheeks till she is black as the mt. 1. 1-17.] THE SONG OF SOLOMON. 11