There is nothing which the men of this world dread more than solitude and reflection. They would rather be over-pressed with engagements than have leisure for thought. The conscience, ill at ease, will at such times, lift up its voice; but its warning voice must be hushed by that convenient word duty, and its honest speech is soon and willingly forgotten. Sins—many sins—are there, and the thought of God as the judge of sin is dreadful. The condition of the soul is such that it cannot bear the light, therefore darkness is loved. The activities of this present life are sought and welcomed, that the crushing weight of reflection may be escaped. The pleasures of the world, too, in due time and place, serve a similar purpose.
Thus, every care is taken that solitude may be avoided, and that there may be no opportunity for calm and serious reflection. The solemn and eternal realities of the soul have no portion of thought or time allowed them; the higher, nobler, and better part of man is totally neglected, and left uncared for, and unprovided for, notwithstanding its deep, pressing, and eternal need. “For what shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Mark 8:36, 3736For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 37Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (Mark 8:36‑37).
Such, alas! is man—man without the knowledge of God—without the knowledge of his condition as a sinner, and without the knowledge of Jesus as the Savior of sinners.
But turn for a while, O, my soul, from the contemplation of a scene so heart-rending, though strong, yet tender, are the links that would draw thee there, and lead thee to wean loved ones from it, and win them for Christ. Cherish a spirit of meditation in the sweet solitudes of the soul’s separation from the world, where the scene is radiant with the presence of the Savior, and joyous with “The Song of Songs.” The wider the separation from the world, the deeper the communion, the richer the blessing. In heart and spirit having no sympathy with it; and, really, though in it, yet far away from its bustle and all its unhallowed scenes. A mighty chasm now separates believers from this present evil world: “They are not of the world,” says Christ, “even as I am not of the world.” The position of Christ in resurrection is the definition of ours as seen in Him. The calm, reflective quiet of the soul in communion with the Person of the exalted Lord, are its sweetest moments while here on earth. These may be found in the chamber of sickness, the rural scene, or in the very seat and center of this world’s activities. All depends on the state of the heart. To be alone, and yet not alone, how blessed!
But why call this precious little book “The Song of Songs?” Just because it is Solomon’s, or, rather, Christ’s, who will in due time be king in Jerusalem, in true Solomon glory. On the same principle He is called “King of kings, and Lord of lords.” Pre-eminence in all things is His. There are many sweet songs in Scripture. Moses, Miriam, and her maidens, Deborah, and David, all sang sweetly of the Lord’s goodness. It is said of Solomon himself that “his songs were a thousand and five;” but this one he styles “The Song of Songs.” It far surpassed them all. It is the deep melody of hearts filled with holy love, and finding their supreme delight in its full and free expression, “We love him because be first loved us.” Oh! to be able at all times to sing the song of the Savior’s love, with the heart and with the understanding also.
Ver. 2. “Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth” What unsuspecting, pure, and impassioned affection breathes iii this remarkable address. It is like the artless, yet ardent kindling of affection between the nearest kindred when they meet after a long absence. So engrossed is the heart with its object, that forms, ceremonies, and all surrounding circumstances are entirely lost sight of. The happy consciousness of the place which she has in His heart carries her away. How few there are in this world that one could so un formally and affectionately address: and yet this is the language of a saved sinner to the holy Savior. Dost thou, Ο my soul, understand this? No doubts, no fears in the heart that can thus address the divine Bridegroom—the glorified Jesus in heaven. Many now-a-days think it presumption to have full, perfect, unmisgiving confidence in His grace and love, and if they dare venture to trust Him, it is with many doubts and fears; and that, too. after He has written His love to lost sinners in characters of blood, and engraven it as on the face of the rock forever. What must such think of the boldness of the Bride? That she has forgotten herself, her place? Ah! no. The secret is this: the conscience having been cleared of all sin by the one sacrifice of the once lowly Jesus, the heart is now free and happy in the presence of the risen and glorified Christ. And this is all that any guilty sinner needs to make him feel at home and happy in the chamber of the King, namely, the blood of Christ for the conscience, and the Person of Christ for the heart. Every blessing will be found folded up in these two. Every Christian has both. Lord, help them to believe it!
In this blessed little book, mark well, my soul, there is no mention of sin, pardon, or justification. Why is this? These questions had been previously settled, and now the heart is enjoying full and perfect liberty in the Lord’s presence. All such questions, in every case, are settled when the sinner is first brought to the feet of Jesus. Settled on the solid ground of the Savior’s finished work. Never, no never again to be raised, so far as God and faith are concerned. Satan, and the unbelief of our own hearts, may seek to disturb the eternally settled question. But all such thoughts should be treated as coming from such sources.
“I know that whatsoever God doeth, it shall be forever: nothing can he put to it, nor anything taken from it.” (Eccl. 3:1414I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him. (Ecclesiastes 3:14).) Hence, the heart that knows these things is free, happy, and at home in the immediate presence of the Lord, and that, too, in the highest sense. “Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth.”
Here, the heart is breathing after, not the sense of forgiveness, but a more direct demonstration of His love. She is occupied with Himself. Not so much with any of His qualities, or with any particular kindness she has received from Him, as with Himself personally. Having Him she has all His qualities and all His kindnesses; as she says, “Let HIM kiss me.” She has no idea of explaining of whom she thus speaks. There is a condensed as well as an expansive energy in love. It reminds us of the loving and bereaved heart of Mary when she said, “Sir, if thou have borne HIM hence, tell me where thou hast laid HIM.” He was first and last in her mind, no one else was in her heart from whom to distinguish Him, and there was none with whom she could compare Him. She knew of no one else to be thought of, or cared for. Nothing could satisfy her heart but the Person of her Lord, dead or alive. Wondrous affection! Oh, that He had such a place in this poor heart of mine. “A little while,” and He shall have it all, and forever. Oh! hasten the happy day, my Lord, thou well-beloved of the Church, thy Bride.
In holy scripture we find a kiss is the token of reconciliation, the pledge of peace, and the expression of affection. It is said of David and Jonathan, that they kissed one another, and wept one with the other, until David exceeded” (1 Sam. 20:4141And as soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of a place toward the south, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times: and they kissed one another, and wept one with another, until David exceeded. (1 Samuel 20:41).) Sweet illustration of the true David, ever exceeding all our love. “Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.” And Joseph, too, kissed all his brethren and wept upon them, and after that his brethren talked with him.” (Gen. 45:1515Moreover he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them: and after that his brethren talked with him. (Genesis 45:15).) And, again, the father kissed the prodigal while he was yet in his rags.
And would such demonstrations of love be too much to ash, or expect, after he was cleansed from all his defilement, and clothed in the best robe? Assuredly not! Is it too much then for the Bride in the Song of Solomon—for the believer in Jesus, to desire such an expression of the Lord’s love? Certain we are that she desired it not because she had any doubt of its being there, but because she delighted in its manifestation. Love can only be satisfied with love.
“For thy love is better than wine.” The love of Jesus is now preferred to all the joys of earth. Wine is the symbol of the natural delights of men—the joys and the luxuries of earth. But what are all these now, in their most charming form, to the soul that is delighting in the love of Jesus? They have lost their charm for the eye and the heart, and now they would be a weariness and a burden heavy to be borne. Jesus Himself is the soul’s delight. “Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.” 1 Pet. 1:88Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: (1 Peter 1:8).
The vine-tree has its roots in the earth. The Nazarite, while under his vow, was to taste nothing that was made of the vine tree, from the kernels even to the husks. (See Num. 6) He was to be entirely separate from the pleasures of the world unto the Lord. Every believer is a Nazarite, according to the blessed Lord’s own vow. “But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” (Matt. 26:2929But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom. (Matthew 26:29).) Being associated with Him, we are under His vow; and ought to be true Nazarites unto God. But this can only be, by finding all our joy, delight, and satisfaction in the love of Jesus. He is now patiently, waiting, far away from the joys of earth, until the bright Millennial morning, when He shall again come forth, in His true Melchizedec character, to refresh the victorious armies of Israel, the children of Abraham, with the bread and wine of the kingdom. (Gen. 14) We too, should patiently wait till then, for we shall come forth with Him in heavenly glory. The full period of the vow shall then be accomplished. The King in Jerusalem shall again be united to His earthly people, and all nations shall be made glad and rejoice in their joy and gladness. And then shall the daughter of Zion know the meaning of those words long ago uttered at the marriage in Cana of Galilee, “But thou hast kept the good wine until now.”
“Thy love we own, Lord Jesus;
And wait to see thy glory.
To know as known, and fully own
Thy perfect grace before Thee:
We plead thy parting promise,
Come, Savior, to release us.
Then endless praise our lips shall raise,
For love like Thine, Lord Jesus.”
Ver. 3. “Because of the savor of thy good ointments thy name is as an ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee.” Now she gives us some idea of His name, “thy name is as ointment poured forth” To her heart it is most fragrant. All His names, titles, attributes, and relationships are most sweet to her taste. His name is Himself. It is expressive of His nature, excellencies, and graces. She is at a loss to utter the riches of His goodness, therefore she says, “His name is as ointment poured forth.” The savor of His ointment is not confined to herself; those associated with her share in its profusion. The attendant virgins are attracted and refreshed by the sweet odors of His name. Happy thought! It is not an ointment sealed up, but “poured forth.” Oh! what fellowship there is in the love of Jesus! Here pause a little, Ο my soul, and meditate on the fullness of the name of Jesus: “For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.” What a center, what a source it is! Around it the Church of God is now gathered as its only center, by the quickening power and indwelling of the Holy Ghost. “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” But, ere long, the heavens and the earth shall be united by its power and glory. The earthly Jerusalem and the cities of Judah, with all the surrounding nations, the heavenly Jerusalem, and the innumerable company of angels—the general assembly, and church of the first born which are written in heaven, shall all be attracted to, and united by, that one, dear, uniting name. The Father hath purposed this wondrous glory for His Son, and it shall surely come to pass,” That in the dispensation of the fullness of times (the millennium) he might gather together in one (under one head) all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth, even in him.” (Eph. 1:1111In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: (Ephesians 1:11).) Then shall the fragrance of His name be wafted on every breeze, and all kindreds and tongues shall unite in that note of praise, “Ο LORD, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth.” Psalm 8.
And when the thousand years of millennial blessing and glory shall have run their course, the heavens and the earth fled away, and the final judgment past, that name shall have lost none of its fragrance, power, and glory. It will then unite, in sweetest love, in holiest bonds, the many circles, the countless myriads of the new heavens and the new earth. The joy of every heart, the melody of every tongue, shall find their spring, power, motive, and object in Him. Every mountain of myrrh, and every hill of frankincense shall owe their sweetness to His presence. And still His name shall be as ointment poured forth; yes, “poured forth,” and “poured forth” forever. All His garments smelling of myrrh, aloes, and cassia, in the ivory palaces. And as age after age rolls on, the rich and varied graces of His love shall still be “poured forth” in infinite profusion, causing all hands and hearts and lips, to drop with sweet smelling myrrh, and filling every scene throughout the vast realms of the blest with the eternal fragrance of His name.