Song of Solomon6
English Standard Version
1 has your , O most ? has your , that we may him you?
2My has gone to his to the of , to in the and to .
3 am my and my is mine; he among the .
4You are as , my , as , as an army with .
5 your , for me— Your is like a of the slopes of .
6Your are like a of that have come the ; of them ; not among them has lost its .
7Your are like of a your .
8There are and , and .
9My , my , is the only , the only of her , to her who her. The her and ; the and also, and they her.
10 is who like the , as the , as the , as an army with ?
11I to the to the of the , to whether the had , whether the were in .
12 I was , my me among the of my , a .
13 , , O , , , that we may upon you. should you upon the , as upon a before ?
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Song of Solomon 6.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Inquiry where Christ must be sought. (1) . Where Christ may be found. (2,3) . Christ's commendations of the church. (4-10) . The work of grace in the believer. (11-13).
v1
Those made acquainted with the excellences of Christ, and the comfort of an interest in him, desire to know where they may meet him. Those who would find Christ, must seek him early and diligently.
vv2-3
Christ's church is a garden, enclosed, and separated from the world; he takes care of it, delights in it, and visits it. Those who would find Christ, must attend him in his ordinances, the word, sacraments, and prayer. When Christ comes to his church, it is to entertain his friends. And to take believers to himself: he picks the lilies one by one; and at the great day he will send forth his angels to gather all his lilies, that he may be for ever admired in them. The death of a believer is not more than the owner of a garden plucking a favourite flower; and He will preserve it from withering, yea, cause it to flourish for ever, with increasing beauty. If our own hearts can witness for us that we are Christ's, question not his being ours, for the covenant never breaks on his side. It is the comfort of the church, that he feeds among the lilies, that he takes delight in his people.
vv4-10
All the real excellence and holiness on earth centre in the church. Christ goes forth subduing his enemies, while his followers gain victories over the world, the flesh, and the devil. He shows the tenderness of a Redeemer, the delight he takes in his redeemed people, and the workings of his own grace in them. True believers alone can possess the beauty of holiness. And when their real character is known, it will be commended. Both the church and believers, at their first conversion, look forth as the morning, their light being small, but increasing. As to their sanctification, they are fair as the moon, deriving all their light, grace, and holiness from Christ; and as to justification, clear as the sun, clothed with Christ, the Sun of righteousness, and fighting the good fight of faith, under the banners of Christ, against all spiritual enemies.
Key Words
אָן: where?; hence, whither?, when?; also hither and thither
דּוֹד: (figuratively) to love; by implication, a love-token, lover, friend; specifically an uncle
הָלַךְ: to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
יָפֶה: beautiful (literally or figuratively)
אִשָּׁה: a woman
פָּנָה: to turn; by implication, to face, i.e. appear, look, etc.
בָּקַשׁ: to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after
עִם: adverb or preposition, with (i.e. in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then usually unrepresented in English)
יָרַד: to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); causatively, to bring down (in all the above applications)
גַּן: a garden (as fenced)
Cross References
Song of Solomon 6The 'only one of her mother' identified as the 'Jerusalem above, the mother of us all'.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Tirzah as a beautiful royal city and capital of the northern kingdom of Israel.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Jerusalem praised as the perfection of beauty and comeliness.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The spiritual power of faith that 'overcomes' or prevails with God, like Jacob.
Supported by JFB
The path of the just compared to the shining light of morning, growing to perfect day.
Supported by JFB
The woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet; celestial beauty of the church.
Supported by JFB
The nations seeking the Lord, matching the daughters asking to seek the Beloved with the Bride.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The church as an army equipped with spiritual, not carnal, weapons.
Supported by JFB
Contrast with Solomon's many literal queens and concubines who violated the marriage law.
Supported by JFB
The uniqueness and blessedness of Israel (the Church) as a people saved by the Lord.
Supported by JFB
Christ's presence promised in the midst of his gathered local assemblies (the gardens).
Supported by Matthew Poole
One fold and one Shepherd, explaining the unity of the Shulamite as 'the company of two armies'.
Supported by JFB