DBG - July 29 - Song of Solomon 5-8

In this chapter the Bride has a dream that troubles her.

vs. 1a – The Groom replies to the Bride’s acceptance of his proposal in 4:16.  The celebration and joy of the marriage is anticipated.

vs. 1b – The final phrase, “eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved”, is by the Chorus.  It is the community celebrating the marriage.

vs. 2-8 – The Bride now dreams of that day that the Groom has come for her.  This turns into a nightmare as when she opens the door to meet him, he is not there.  She searches in vain for him in the city.  The watchmen abuse her.  This is the point where most believe the dream ends as she calls the daughters of Jerusalem to aid in her search.

vs. 9 – The Chorus of the daughters of Jerusalem respond to the Bride’s plea for aid in finding her love.  They ask why her love was more important than any other.

vs. 10-16 – The Bride describes the handsomeness of her love.

In this chapter the Groom and Chorus praise the Bride.

vs. 1 – The Chorus of the daughters of Jerusalem ask the Bride where the Groom could have gone.

vs. 2-3 – The Bride tells the daughters of Jerusalem that the Groom has gone to his garden.  This is a place he frequents.  She declares their mutual love.

vs. 4-9 – The Groom returns and finds his beloved.  He speaks of her beauty again.  He declares that among the numerous queens and princesses of this world that none compared to her.  These all look up to her.

vs. 10 – The Chorus joins in the praise of the Bride.

vs. 11-12 – The Groom goes about his business but is overcome with desire for his Bride.

vs. 13a – The Chorus calls for the Bride to return to them so they may admire her.  But she is departing to meet her Groom.  The voice changes in the middle of this verse.

vs. 13b –  The Groom responds to the chorus. The final phrase is difficult to translate.  Some say it refers to a beautiful dance that showed the Bride’s grace and beauty.  I think John Gill mentions a better interpretation: “such an appearance as an army makes at the reception of their prince”.  That is when a company divides itself that their leader be received into their midst through the cleared path among them.  This may speak of the people receiving her with great honor.  But that is not her desire.  She does not seek fame, only the love of the Groom.

In this chapter the Groom woos his bride and she responds in devotion.

vs. 1-9 – The Groom woos his Bride by speaking of her beauty.  Once again, some of the comparisons may seem strange today, but this was surely swoon-worthy in its day. 

vs. 10-13 – The Bride declares their mutual love and devotion.  She seeks to run away with her Royal Groom to a simple life they can simply enjoy together.

In this chapter the happy couple unite in joy.

vs. 1-4 – The Bride declares her desire for an even closer bound than marriage.  She wishes her husband could have been her little brother which she could have enjoyed all of her life.  In vs. 3 she speaks of her desire for intimacy with the Groom and again charges the daughters of Jerusalem not to disturb their peace. 

vs. 5a – The first part of this verse is the Chorus responding to the Bride as they see her arrive with the Groom. 

vs. 5b-7 – The Bride reminisces.  The apple tree is an allusion to 2:3.  She again declares her devotion to her husband.

vs. 8-9 – The Chorus speaks.  Here it is the voice of the cruel brothers in 1:6.  She is described as too homely to find a husband and they plot ways to entice a man to take her.

vs. 10-12  – The Bride counters the opinion of the Brothers.  She was worthy of love and marriage.  She speaks metaphorically of the vineyards of Solomon who leases them out for great gain.  She compares these to her own vineyard, which now is Solomon’s, and prays that it be more bountiful. 

vs. 13 – The Groom asks for the Bride for to call for him that they may be together.

vs. 14 – The Bride calls for her beloved to quickly come to her.

There is an old saying that “absence makes the heart grow fonder”.  That is seen in this section of Song of Solomon as the Bride and Groom long for each other, even if parted only in a dream.  Such love for our Savior should be ours.  One day He will return for us.  Our hearts should long for that day.  We should be constantly looking and listening for His return.

Our hymn today is “Majestic Sweetness Sits Enthroned”, written by Samuel Stennett in 1787.  The vivid descriptions of a believer’s love of Christ fit well the deeper meanings of such love in this book.

Majestic sweetness sits enthroned
Upon the Savior’s brow;
His head with radiant glories crowned,
His lips with grace o’erflow,
His lips with grace o’erflow.

To Christ, the Lord, let every tongue
Its noblest tribute bring
When He’s the subject of the song,
Who can refuse to sing?
Who can refuse to sing?

Survey the beauties of His face,
And on His glories dwell;
Think of the wonders of His grace,
And all His triumphs tell,
And all His triumphs tell.

No mortal can with Him compare
Among the sons of men;
Fairer is He than all the fair
Who fill the heav’nly train,
Who fill the heav’nly train.

He saw me plunged in deep distress
And flew to my relief;
For me He bore the shameful cross
And carried all my grief,
And carried all my grief.

His hand a thousand blessings pours
Upon my guilty head:
His presence gilds my darkest hours,
And guards my sleeping bed,
And guards my sleeping bed.

To Him I owe my life and breath
And all the joys I have;
He makes me triumph over death
And saves me from the grave,
And saves me from the grave.

To Heav’n, the place of His abode,
He brings my weary feet;
Shows me the glories of my God,
And makes my joys complete,
And makes my joys complete.

Since from His bounty I receive
Such proofs of love divine,
Had I a thousand hearts to give,
Lord, they should all be Thine,
Lord, they should all be Thine.