Song of Solomon Chapter 3

From The Open Bible Project

3:1 By night on my bed, I sought him whom my soul loves. I sought him, but I didn't find him.

• (a) The Church by night, that is, in troubles, seeks Christ, but is not incontinently heard.

3:2 I will get up now, and go about the city; in the streets and in the squares I will seek him whom my soul loves. I sought him, but I didn't find him.

• (b) Showing that although we are not heard at first, yet we must still continue in prayer, till we feel comfort.

3:3 The watchmen who go about the city found me; "Have you seen him whom my soul loves?"

• (c) Which declares that we must seek to all of whom we hope to have any help.

3:4 I had scarcely passed from them, when I found him whom my soul loves. I held him, and would not let him go, until I had brought him into my mother's house, into the chamber of her who conceived me.

3:5 I adjure you, daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, or by the hinds of the field, that you not stir up, nor awaken love, until it so desires.

• (e) This refers to the Church of Israel which was led in the wilderness for forty years.

3:6 Who is this who comes up from the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all spices of the merchant?

3:7 Behold, it is Solomon's carriage! Sixty mighty men are around it, of the mighty men of Israel.

• (f) By the bed is meant the temple which Solomon made.

3:8 They all handle the sword, and are expert in war. Every man has his sword on his thigh, because of fear in the night.

• (g) He alludes to the watch which kept the temple.

3:9 King Solomon made himself a carriage of the wood of Lebanon.

3:10 He made its pillars of silver, its bottom of gold, its seat of purple, its midst being paved with love, from the daughters of Jerusalem.

3:11 Go forth, you daughters of Zion, and see king Solomon, with the crown with which his mother has crowned him, in the day of his weddings, in the day of the gladness of his heart. Lover

• (h) All you that are of the number of the faithful.
• (i) Christ became man, was crowned by the love of God with the glorious crown of his divinity.