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We have here the marriage of a great King, of Him who is "King of kings." Christ and the Church are the parties concerned.

I. THE PARTY ADDRESSED. Who is it? "Hearken, O daughter." Who is the "daughter"? The "daughter" here, without doubt, is the Church. Who else is there that can be the "daughter" of God? And how exceedingly beautiful and appropriate is the appellation bestowed upon her! She is the "daughter." And why so? Because she is the wife of the Son. It is precisely as it is recognized in our own case. The wife of the son becomes the daughter of the father of the son, and still more remarkably, she becomes the daughter-in-law. That is literally the position occupied by the Church and the light in which she is regarded by the very law of God. Hence, "hearken, O daughter." This is more than "adoption," for there, there may be no kind of connection, but here it is of the closest kind. And there follows from it the transference to the bride of the glory, riches and happiness of the husband, while all the obligations, debts, delinquencies and deficiencies belonging to the wife are taken by him. You have no enemies that are not his; he no friends that are not yours. What a wonderful union it is.

II. THE CHARGE TO THE BRIDE. "Hearken and consider," etc. Now, the charge to "forget thine own people," etc., may seem difficult. But there must be unreserved and undivided affection. There must be nothing allowed in the feelings and affections as comparable to Him. We must be ready to put all on one side for Christ. There must be no compromise. He gave up all for us.

III. THE PROMISE. "So shall the King," etc. The beauty is that of holiness. Let it be ours.

(J. Capel Molyneux, B. A.)

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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.