The Pulpit Commentary — Song of Songs — Section 35

these memories, and is briii:ht therewith as well as fragrant, as with fair flowers and myrrh. 2. See, too, how she transfers all praise from herself to him. The king h~d told her she was fair (ver. 15). Her thoughts fly a.way to him whom she loves, and Rhe gives the praise to him (ver. 16). 3. And her love consecrates all the scene., where she has been with him. 'fhe soft green turf (ver. 16), on which they ha.cl cast themselves down beneath the cedars and fir trees, whose branches over them were as the beams and rafters of a house. 4. And makes her think all lowlily of herself but very loftily of him. She is-so she says-but as a. common field-flower (cf. eh. ii. 1), just nothing at all. But he, her beloved, wa.s as the citron tree, fragrant, stately, fruitful, affording rafreshing shade (ver. 3). Travellers tell of the beauty of this tree. And amid the leafy arcades of the vine, and beneath Hs o'erarching bra.aches, she bad loved to linger with him (ver. 4); for with him:, because of his dear love for her, she wa.s safe as if under the protection of a.n army, following the banners of a. mighty chief. 5. .And these an ever the effects of a steadfast love. "Not I, but the grace of God which was in me:" so does Paul transfer praise from himself to God. Places where fellowebip with Christ have been enjoyed are consecrated by that fact. And love is lowly. "Less than the least of all saints:" so speaks Paul of himself. But of Christ, what does he not say of him 1 What is not Christ to him, and all such? Fruit, and shade, and safeguard sure. III. THE SECRET OF ALL THIS. The heart possessed by the love of Christ. There is no other antidote that will serve as does this against the flatteries and the bribes of the \VOrld. Nothing else -will make us so deaf to its appeals, so blind to a.11 its b)andishments. "Lord, let thy feo.r within ns dwell, Thy love our footsteps guide ; That love shall all vain love expel, That fear all fear beside." s.c. Vere. 9-11, 15.-0haracteristics of those whom Ghrist loves. We need not mind who said what" is- written in these verses; or why it was said, according to their literal interpretation.· But.we may consider what is said, for it is true of all people who are "of the Lord beloved." I. THEY ARE ms BELOVED. This more· than justice; for that would have regarded them as they were in themselves-the reverse of well-pleasing to him. It is more than mercy;·· for 'that, though it may have spared the wrong-doer, would not have received him into affection. I~ is grace_ abounding. And Christ does thus regard his people. "Henceforth I call you not servants, but friends." What rich store of consolation to all cast~down souls there is in this! ·_II. THEY ARE .AS "A COMPANY OF HORSES IN PHARAOH's CHARIOT." (Cf. Zech. x. 3, •• The Lord bath visited his flock, and bath made them as his goodly horse in the day of battle.") And such comparison is frequent both in the Scriptures and io the ordinary literature of that age. la. this song the ideas intended are their alacrity and vigour, swiftness, strength, grace, courage, -etc. 'l'he image suggests: 1. Th11 alacrity and 'IJigour of the believer's service. (Cf. Ps. cxix., "I will nm in the way or thy com- mandments when thou shalt enlai·ge my heart.") And what so enlarges the heart, so causes it to swell with delightful· emotion, as the consciousness that the Lord's love rests upon us.·. la. Their courage. (Cf. Job's description of the battle-horse-how he "paweth in the valley;'' and "rejoiceth in his strength," "mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted;" "suffereth the quiver to rattle against him, the glittering spear and the shield.") And bow often the dauntless courage, of which the horse is a symbol, has been found in God's servants (cf. Daniel; the three Hebrew youths; Paul; and many more) I 'l'hink of the martyrs who " Mocked the cross and flame. They met the tyrant's brandished steel, The lion's gory mane." .A~d in Ies~, marked and tragic, but in equally real way, has this courage been shown -is shown-in our own day. Illustrate: Arthur kneeling in prayer before the whole 24 THE SONG OF SOLOMON. [i:m. I. 1-17.