Geneva Study Bible The song of songs, which is Solomon's. The song of songs, which is Solomon's.
Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine. Let {a} him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine.
(a) This is spoken in the person of the Church, or of the faithful soul inflamed with the desire of Christ, whom she loves. Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee. Because of the {b} savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the {c} virgins love thee.
(b) The feeling of your great benefits. (c) They that are pure in heart and conversation. Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee. {d} Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his {e} chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee.
(d) The faithful confess that they cannot come to Christ, unless they are drawn. (e) Meaning the secret joy that is not known to the world. I am black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon. I am {f} black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of {g} Kedar, as the {h} curtains of Solomon.
(f) The Church confesses her spots and sin, but has confidence in the favour of Christ. (g) Kedar was Ishmael's son, of whom came the Arabians that dwelt in tents. (h) Which within were all set with precious stones and jewels. Look not upon me, because I am black, because the sun hath looked upon me: my mother's children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept. Look not upon me, because I am {i} black, because the {k} sun hath looked upon me: {l} my mother's children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; but my own vineyard have I not {m} kept.
(i) Consider not the Church by the outward appearance. (k) The corruption of nature through sin and afflictions. (l) My own brethren who should have most favoured me. (m) She confesses her own negligence. Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon: for why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions? Tell me, {n} O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon: for why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of {o} thy companions?
(n) The spouse feeling her fault flees to her husband only for comfort. (o) Whom you have called to the dignity of pastors, and they set forth their own dreams instead of your doctrine. If thou know not, O thou fairest among women, go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock, and feed thy kids beside the shepherds' tents. {p} If thou knowest not, O thou fairest among women, go forth by the footsteps of the flock, and feed thy kids beside the shepherds' tents.
(p) Christ speaks to his Church, bidding them that are ignorant to go to the pastors to learn. I have compared thee, O my love, to a company of horses in Pharaoh's chariots. I have compared thee, O my love, to a company of horses in Pharaoh's {q} chariots.
(q) For your spiritual beauty and excellency there was no worldly treasure to be compared to you. Thy cheeks are comely with rows of jewels, thy neck with chains of gold. Thy cheeks are comely with rows of jewels, thy neck with chains of gold.
We will make thee borders of gold with studs of silver. We will make thee borders of gold with studs of silver.
While the king sitteth at his table, my spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof. {r} While the king sitteth at his table, my spikenard sendeth forth its fragrance.
(r) The Church rejoices that she is admitted to the company of Christ. A bundle of myrrh is my wellbeloved unto me; he shall lie all night betwixt my breasts. A bundle of myrrh is my wellbeloved to me; he shall lie all night between my {s} breasts.
(s) He will be most dear to me. My beloved is unto me as a cluster of camphire in the vineyards of Engedi. My beloved is unto me as a cluster of camphire in the vineyards of Engedi.
Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves' eyes. Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves' eyes.
Behold, thou art fair, my beloved, yea, pleasant: also our bed is green. Behold, thou art fair, my beloved, yea, pleasant: also our {u} bed is green.
(u) That is, the heart of the faithful, in which Christ dwells by his Spirit. The beams of our house are cedar, and our rafters of fir. The beams of our house are cedar, and our rafters of fir. The Geneva Bible Translation Notes [1599] Bible Hub |
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