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I. AN EXHORTATION. "Hearken, O daughter," etc. This day, if your covenant is not to be an empty mocking, your heart must be opened to hear the declaration of His love, in redeeming your soul from destruction, and offering to espouse you to Himself.

II. AN INSTRUCTION "Forget also," etc.

III. A PROMISE. "So shall the King greatly desire thy beauty." The believer is not called to forsake the objects of his natural corrupt taste, with. out a much higher and more precious object being set forth for his acceptance, even the love of the King. He delights in the first efforts after righteousness, as in the green figs and tender grapes, which, though of no value in themselves, yet promise well. By all comparisons, by every means which can strengthen faith, Christ gives pledge to the soul forgetting her own people and her father's house, that His love will not be withheld, but that He will greatly desire her beauty. Thy beauty shall be perfect through His comeliness put upon thee.

IV. A COMMAND. "He is thy Lord," etc. However great or perfect the beauty of the spouse may be, or however high the privileges or honours the king may vouchsafe to her, yet let her remember that all is of Christ, and through Christ, and to Christ; and let her keep her own place of subordination to Him. Let the soul making covenant with Christ beware of spiritual pride, of thinking that she has attained safety from sin, or that she is now so regenerated that she cannot fall. Be not high-minded, but fear.

(G. Innes.)

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KJV: Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father's house;

WEB: Listen, daughter, consider, and turn your ear. Forget your own people, and also your father's house.