Cantar de los cantares 1 (Spanish RV 1909)

• A question, which has exercised some, very naturally arises here. Why is it that we have such a full and detailed expression of the love of Christ to the Jewish remnant in the Song of Solomon compared with the epistles which are addressed to the church of God, " the bride, the Lamb's wife"? In the first place, the Song of Solomon may be considered as the revelation of the heart of Christ to all saints, whether Jew or Christian, earthly or heavenly. Christ's love is perfect, and always perfectly developed according to the relationship in which we know Him. Under the allegory of bride and Bridegroom-love, the feelings and affections of His heart are here expressed, and in perfect harmony with that position. (“Song of Solomon 4” by A. Miller)

• It is to be observed, that there is no question in this book of the purification of the conscience. That question is not touched upon. But it speaks of those affections of the heart which cannot be too ardent when the Lord is their object. Consequently the faults, that manifest forgetfulness of Him and of His grace, serve only to produce such exercises of heart with respect to Him as recall all the attractions of His Person, and the consciousness of belonging entirely to Him-exercises that form the heart to a much deeper appreciation of Himself, because guilt before a judge is not the question, but a fault of the heart towards a friend-a fault which, meeting with a love too strong to be turned away from its object, only deepens her own affection, and infinitely exalts in her eyes the affection of her Beloved (thus forming her heart, by inward exercise, to the appreciation of His love, and to the capability of loving and estimating all that He is). It is all-important to form our heart in this portion of the Christian life. (“Song of Solomon 8” by J.N. Darby)

• Christ is the great theme of all Scripture, and, in its several parts, the Holy Spirit delights to set forth. special aspects of Christ and His glories. Here, in the Song of Songs, His great object is to present the love of Christ for His people. (“Song of Solomon: Introduction” by H. Smith)

• Herein is the great value of the Song of Songs. It awakens our love by unfolding His love. (“Song of Solomon: Introduction” by H. Smith)

• In a series of Canticles we have unfolded to us the love of an exalted Bridegroom for a bride of low degree, together with the varied experiences by which she is brought into full relationship with him, and the enjoyment of his love. (“Song of Solomon: Introduction” by H. Smith)

• The Song can be divided into six Canticles, the subjects of which may be summarized as follows: Canticle 1. (ch. 1:2-2:7): The assurance of love. Canticle 2. (ch. 2:8-3:5): The awakening of love. Canticle 3. (ch. 3:6-5:1): The communion of love. Canticle 4. (ch. 5:2-6:12): The restoration of love. Canticle 5. (ch. 6:13-8:4): The witness of love. Canticle 6. (ch. 8:5-14). The triumph of love. (“Song of Solomon: Introduction” by H. Smith)

• The song is mainly composed of a series of dialogs between the Bridegroom and the bride. There are other characters introduced, for instance, the daughters of Jerusalem occasionally speak; also we have the city watchmen, the keepers of the walls, and the little sister, but these characters take little or no part in the dialogs. (“Song of Solomon: Introduction” by H. Smith)

• Few will question that in the Bridegroom we have a figure of Christ. Some may have more difficulty in the interpretation of the bride. Strictly, however, there can be little doubt that the bride is used as a figure of God's earthly people Israel (or more exactly, the godly remnant of the Jews in a future day, who will represent Israel) and the experiences by which they will be finally established in relationship with their Messiah.... (Hos. 2:14,19, 20). In the Song of Songs, it is these very wilderness experiences, wherein the Lord speaks to the heart of His people, that pass before us in figure. (“Song of Solomon: Introduction” by H. Smith)

• But while such is the strict interpretation of the Song of Songs, this by no means hinders its application to the church - the heavenly bride - or to the individual believer. For in God's dealing with all His people there are principles in common. Speaking of the Canticles another has said, "Christ loves His assembly, He loves His earthly people, He loves the soul that He draws to Himself, so that there is a moral application to ourselves which is very precious" (J.N.D.) (“Song of Solomon: Introduction” by H. Smith)

J. N. Darby Translation

The song of songs, which is Solomon’sa.

JND Translation Notes

The separate paragraphs indicate, as far as possible, the succession of the various speakers.