Song of Solomon 4 (KJV) - Bible Truth Library

• After assuring her heart, in general terms, that she is "fair" in His sight, He enumerates seven distinct features, which He has been contemplating separately, and minutely, with great delight. The eyes, the hair, the teeth, the lips, the temples, the neck, and the breasts. (“Song of Solomon 4” by A. Miller)

• But there is one peculiarity about the dove's eyes which may be designed to teach the believer a needed lesson. It has a wonderful power of distant vision. It is supposed to see, from an immense distance, its own dovecot. Having been taken far from home, it may be seen when liberated from its cage, ascending very high---steadying itself in the air, until it has discovered its way back: then it flies straight and rapidly home. Oh! for this power of distant and heavenly vision, that, having seen by faith the risen Jesus, we may forget the things that are behind, and press on to those that are before. Christ, Himself, is the Christian's mark-but the "mark " must be seen, before we can take our aim. (“Song of Solomon 4” by A. Miller)

• "Thy hair is as a flock of goats, that appear from mount Gilead." The comparison here, may be to the long, glossy hair of the goats that graze on Mount Gilead, and to the circumstance of their appearance as a flock, or one united company, feeding on the rich pastures of the high places. The effect to the eye must have been profusion in each, and unity in the whole. "Long hair," the apostle tells us, is the covering and glory of the woman. (1 Cor. 11:15.) But may there not also be a reference, in this comparison, to the long hair of the Nazarite, which was the type of power in the Spirit? Samson's great strength lay in his seven locks. They were the symbol of his unbroken vow-of his consecration to God. (“Song of Solomon 4” by A. Miller)

• And now, chapter 4, He declares all that she is in His sight, although she has been in the lion’s den. From thence He calls her, all fair and without spot in His eyes; His heart expressing His delight in her. (“Song of Solomon 4” by J.N. Darby)

• The Bridegroom. (4:1-16). (“Canticle 3: The Communion of Love” by H. Smith)

• {v.1-5} He, on His part, delights to dwell upon the beauties and perfections of His bride. The bride delights to speak to others of the glories of the King, but it is His joy to unfold to the bride His thoughts about herself. It is blessed to witness to others of the glories of Christ, but for the establishment of our hearts in solid peace and joy, it is necessary to hear from the lips of Christ His own thoughts about His people. (“Canticle 3: The Communion of Love” by H. Smith)

• The eyes are the windows of the soul expressing its character and moral condition. Likened to doves would set forth gentleness, purity, and devoted affection, but combined with modesty, for the eyes are seen behind the veil. (“Canticle 3: The Communion of Love” by H. Smith)

• The hair is likened to the black glossy hair of the goats seen in all the profusion that a flock would present on the slopes of Mount Gilead. Hair is used in Scripture as the symbol of "subjection" (1 Cor. 11), separation from the world, and consecration to God. (“Canticle 3: The Communion of Love” by H. Smith)

• First, he speaks of her general appearance. Four times over in this chapter, he tells her of her fairness. Twice he declares it in verse one. He says, “Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair.” In verse seven we read, “Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee.” Again in verse ten, “How fair is thy love, my sister, my spouse! How much better is thy love than wine!” And yet she had no fairness in herself, as we had no beauty in ourselves. In an earlier chapter we heard her say, “I am black as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon.” But he says, as he looks at her through love’s eyes, “Thou art all fair.” Does it not bring before us the wondrous thing that our Savior has done for every one of us who have been redeemed by the precious blood of Christ? (“Song of Solomon 4:1-11” by H.A. Ironside)

• He looked upon us in His grace and said, “Thou art perfect in Mine eyes by the comeliness which I have put upon thee.” And now as those who have been washed from our sins in His own precious blood, He addresses us in the rapturous way that we have here. (“Song of Solomon 4:1-11” by H.A. Ironside)

• (Isa. 1:6). And now His holy eyes cannot find one spot of sin, nor any sign of iniquity. (“Song of Solomon 4:1-11” by H.A. Ironside)

• The dove was a clean bird, the bird of love and sorrow, the bird offered in sacrifice upon the altar, and thus typified our Lord Jesus as the heavenly One. And now he sees reflected in his bride that which speaks of himself. “Thou hast doves’ eyes.” We may not have stopped to realize it, but the dove is very keen of sight. (“Song of Solomon 4:1-11” by H.A. Ironside)

• Dove, purity Gen. 8:11. It means not only that we have eyes of beauty, but eyes quick to discern the precious and wonderful things that are hidden for us in His holy Word. (“Song of Solomon 4:1-11” by H.A. Ironside)

• You remember the woman of old who loved Jesus and knelt at His feet and washed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. She was using that which spoke of her beauty and her glory to minister to Him, the loving, blessed Savior. (“Song of Solomon 4:1-11” by H.A. Ironside)

J. N. Darby Translation

Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; Thine eyes are doves behind thy veil; Thy hair is as a flock of goats, On the slopes of mount Gilead.