Songs 4:16 Awake, O north wind; and come, you south; blow on my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden… Let us consider the prayer of those who are planted in this garden, and who are represented in the text, as imploring the Holy Spirit to descend upon them. I. IN HIS CONVINCING AND HUMBLING POWER, AS THE PIERCING NORTH WIND. As the cold north wind prepares the soil, and fits it for vegetation, so are the sharper operations of the Spirit needful for the believer, when, as too often happens, he is under a decay in grace; when the things that are in him are ready to die. When He thus comes, He uses various means of awakening. 1. His grand instrument is "the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God," "sharper than any two-edged sword," etc. When a believer grows cold and careless in his walk, God directs to him some text, some threatening, or warning, or promise. 2. He often comes with awakening power in the shape of afflictions. II. IN HIS COMFORTING AND ENLIVENING POWER, AS THE GENTLE SOUTH WIND. When He has pierced the backsliding heart with sorrow for sin. He binds up the wound; shines upon the heart, like the cheering sun; and breathes, like the mild and gentle south. (E. Blencowe, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits. |
    |