Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
Book: Song of Songs
Chapters: 1 ·
2 ·
3 ·
4 ·
5 ·
6 ·
7 ·
8 ·
This
Book is a Divine
Allegory, which represents the
Love
between
Christ and his
Church of true believers, under figures
taken from the relation and
Affection that subsist between a
bridegroom and his espoused
Bride; an emblem often employed in
Scripture, as describing the nearest, firmest, and most sure
relation: see Ps 45; Isa 54:5,6; 62:5; Jer 2:2; 3:1; also in
Ezekiel,
Hosea, and
By our
Lord himself, Mt 9:15; 25:1: see
also Re 21:2,9; Eph 5:27. There is
No character in the
Church
of
Christ, and
No situation in which the believer is placed, but
what may be traced in this
Book, as humble inquirers will find,
On comparing it with other Scriptures,
By the assistance of
God
the Holy
Spirit, in answer to their supplications. Much,
however, of the language has been misunderstood
By expositors
and translators. The difference between the customs and manners
of Europe, and those of the
East, must especially be kept in
view. The little acquaintance with eastern customs possessed
By
most of our early expositors and translators, has in many cases
prevented a correct rendering. Also, the changes in our own
language, during the last two or three centuries, affect the
manner in which some expressions are viewed, and they must not
be judged
By modern notions. But the great outlines, rightly
interpreted, fully accord with the affections and experience of
the sincere
Christian.