The 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 merely tho lovely womo.n nates were said by the Arabians to be from on whom the king dotes beoauso of her Pnradise (cf. the ~ot.-.,f, or "rinum de pu- personal beauty; she is his corupa.nion nncl niris quod roidom vocant" in Dioscoridcs dearest friend. He opeus his h!lO.l't to her. nnd Pliny). Perha.ps this reference to ex- He tcnohes her. Ho lifts her up to his change of gifts may be taken a.s symbolizing own level. She participates in his royal the hnppy stnte of the Church when she diguity and majesty. Tho (po,s of Ler firet pours out her treasures in response to the estate of love is now exalted into the d-rd1r71, epiritunl blessings which she is freely re- which is the grace never to be without its cei-1-ing. The meaning is something beau- sphere, abiding for ever. We must not tiful and precious. And that is the highest press too closely the poetio form of the soug. state of religious life when the service we Something must be allowed for the frame- render and the gifts we place on the altar work in whioh the main ideas are set before are felt to be the grateful sacrifices of our us. It may not be possible to answer the l1eru-ts under a sense of Divine love. When question-Who are intended to be symbol- the Church of Christ depends for its support ized by the daughters of Jerusalem? There on such fellowship between itself and the is no necessity to seek further into the mean- Sa,iour there will be no limits to its attain- ing of the whole poem than its widest and ments, no achievements beyond its powers. most general application. But the daughters "All that see" snch a state of the Church of Jerusalem are in a lower position, a less "shall acknowledge" the glory of it, "that fa,oured relation to the bridegroom, than they e.re the seed which the Lord bath the bride herself. We may, therefore, with- blessed" (see the whole of the sixty-first out hesitation, accept the view that by the chapter of lsA.iah, which breathes the very adjuration is intended the appeal of the spirit of Solomon's Song). The rejoicing higher spiritual life against all that is bride then gives herself np to the thought below it; the ideal love calling upon all of her hUBhand's affection. In that beau- that is a.round it and all that is related to tiful simplicity and purity of her child- it to rise with it to perfection. The indi- hood's life she would realize the bliss of vidual soul is thus represented claiming the her new relation. Delitzsch describes her full realization of its spiritual possibilities. et.ate of mind thllB : "Resigning herself The Church of God thus remonstrates dreamily to the idea tha.t Solomon is her against all thllt hinders her advancement, brother, whom she may freely and openly restrains her life, and interrupts her blessed- kiss, and her teacher besides, with whom ness. J ernsalem has many daughters. she mav sit in confidential intercourse They are not all in perfect sympathy with under Ler mother's eye, she feels herself the bride. When they listen to the adjura- BB if closely embraced by him, and calls tions of the most spiritual, the most devoted, from a distance to the daughters of Jern- the most heavenly and Christ-like of those ealem not to disturb this her happy enjoy- who are named by the Name of the Lord, ment." Perhaps the sense of weakness and they will themselves be lifted up into the dependence is meant to be expressed. The bridal joy of " the marriage supper of the bride is conscious tha.t her lord is every- Lamb." thing to her. In that identification which the highest love brings vividly into the soul, Vers. 5-14.-Part v. CONCLUSION. THm there is the joy of exultation. ".All things BBIDEGBOOM AND THE BRIDE IN THE SCENE ,;,re ours; and we e.re Christ'B, and Christ is OF THEIR FIRST LOVE. God's." Ver. 5a.-Who is this that cometh up from Ver. 4.-I adjure you, 0 daughters of the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved l 1erusalem, that ye stir not up, nor awaken We must compare this ~uestion with the love, until it please. This, of course, as corresponding one in eh. ili. 6. In that case the refrain of the ~ong, must be taken as a the inhabitants of Jerusalem are supposed general sentiment. Love is its own lord. to be looking forth, and behold the bridal Let it have free course. Let it perfect procession approaching the capital. In this itself in its own best way. The form of the case the scene is transferred to the country, ndjuration is abbreviated in this ca.se. The to the neighbourhood of the bride's home, omission of tlie words, "By the roes and by where she has desired to be with her lord. tl,e hinds of the field," is not without its The country people,or the group of her rela- significance. Is it not intended to intimate tives, are supposed to be gazing at the pair that the natural love, to which reference of lovers, not coming in royal state, but in was made by the introduction of the be1m- the sweet simplicity of true affection, the tiful wild creatures of the tleld. ia ~ow no bride leo.ning with loving- confl,dencP, on the otr. VIII. 1-H.J THE SONG OF SOLOMON. 181