Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
back to:
Song of Songs
Book: Song of Songs
Chapter: 7
Overview:
The graces of the
Church.
(1-9) The delight of the
Church in
Christ.
(10-13)
1-9 The similitudes here are different from what they were
before, and in the original refer to glorious and splendid
clothing. Such honour have all his saints; and having
Put On
Christ, they are distinguished
By their beautiful and glorious
Apparel. They adorn the doctrine of
God their
Saviour in all
things. Consistent believers honour
Christ, recommend the
Gospel, and convince and awaken sinners. The
Church resembles
the stately and spreading palm; while her
Love for
Christ, and
the obedience resulting therefrom, are precious
Fruit of the
true
Vine. The
King is held in the galleries.
Christ takes
delight in the assemblies and ordinances of his people; and
admires the
Fruit of his
Grace in them. When applied to the
Church and to each
Faithful Christian, all this denotes that
beauty of
Holiness, in which they shall be presented to their
heavenly Bridegroom.
10-13 The
Church, the believing soul, triumphs in its relation
to
Christ, and interest in him. She humbly desires
Communion
with him. Let us walk together, that I may receive counsel,
instruction, and comfort from thee; and may make known my wants
and my grievances to thee, with
Freedom, and without
interruption.
Communion with
Christ is what all that are made
holy earnestly breathe after. And those who would converse with
Christ, must go forth from the world. Wherever we are, we may
keep up
Communion with
God. Nor should we go where we cannot in
Faith ask him to go with us. Those who would go abroad with
Christ, must begin early in the morning of their days; must
begin every
Day with him, seek him early, seek him diligently. A
gracious soul can reconcile itself to the poorest places, if it
may have
Communion with
God in them; but the most delightful
fields will not satisfy, unless the Beloved is there. Let us not
think to be satisfied with any earthly object. Our own souls are
our vineyards; they should be planted with useful trees. We
should often search whether we are fruitful in
Righteousness.
Christ's presence will make the
Vine flourish, and the tender
grapes appear, as the returning
Sun revives the
Gardens. If we
can
Appeal to him, Thou knowest all things, thou knowest that I
Love thee; if his
Spirit Witness with our
Spirit, that our souls
prosper, it is enough. And we must
Beg of him to search and try
us, to discover us to ourselves. The fruits and exercises of
graces are pleasant to the
Lord Jesus. These must be laid up,
and always ready; that
By our bringing forth much
Fruit, he may
be glorified. It is all from him, therefore it is fit it should
be all for him.