Song of Solomon7
King James Version · Public Domain
1How beautiful are thy feet with shoes, O prince's daughter! the joints of thy thighs are like jewels, the work of the hands of a cunning workman.
2Thy navel is like a round goblet, which wanteth not liquor: thy belly is like an heap of wheat set about with lilies.
3Thy two breasts are like two young roes that are twins.
4Thy neck is as a tower of ivory; thine eyes like the fishpools in Heshbon, by the gate of Bath–rabbim: thy nose is as the tower of Lebanon which looketh toward Damascus.
5Thine head upon thee is like Carmel, and the hair of thine head like purple; the king is held in the galleries.
6How fair and how pleasant art thou, O love, for delights!
7This thy stature is like to a palm tree, and thy breasts to clusters of grapes.
8I said, I will go up to the palm tree, I will take hold of the boughs thereof: now also thy breasts shall be as clusters of the vine, and the smell of thy nose like apples;
9And the roof of thy mouth like the best wine for my beloved, that goeth down sweetly, causing the lips of those that are asleep to speak.
10I am my beloved's, and his desire is toward me.
11Come, my beloved, let us go forth into the field; let us lodge in the villages.
12Let us get up early to the vineyards; let us see if the vine flourish, whether the tender grape appear, and the pomegranates bud forth: there will I give thee my loves.
13The mandrakes give a smell, and at our gates are all manner of pleasant fruits, new and old, which I have laid up for thee, O my beloved.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Song of Solomon 7.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The graces of the church. (1-9) . The delight of the church in Christ. (10-13).
vv1-9
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.
vv10-13
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.
Key Words
מָה: properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and even relatively, that which); often used with prefixes in various adverbial or conjunctive senses
יָפָה: properly, to be bright, i.e. (by implication) beautiful
פַּעַם: a stroke, literally or figuratively (in various applications, as follow)
נַעַל: properly, a sandal tongue; by extension a sandal or slipper (sometimes as a symbol of occupancy, a refusal to marry, or of something valueless)
נָדִיב: properly, voluntary, i.e. generous; hence, magnanimous; as noun, a grandee (sometimes a tyrant)
בַּת: a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
חַמּוּק: a wrapping, i.e. drawers
יָרֵךְ: the thigh (from its fleshy softness); by euphemistically the generative parts; figuratively, a shank, flank, side
חֲלִי: a trinket (as polished)
מַעֲשֶׂה: an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property
Cross References
Song of Solomon 7The beauty of the feet with shoes is compared to having feet shod with the gospel of peace.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The stature compared to a palm tree matches the righteous flourishing like a palm tree.
Supported by JFB
The 'joints' of the body as well-fitted, nourishing connections in the spiritual body of Christ.
Supported by JFB
Shoes provided for the feet as a sign of restoration, freedom, and honor.
Supported by JFB
The glory of Carmel represents the fruitful excellence and beauty of the Church's head.
Supported by JFB
The delight of the Lord in His people, being called 'Hephzibah' (my delight is in her).
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Spiritual wine and new grain making the young men and maidens cheerful.
Supported by JFB
Contrasts worldly intoxication with the spiritual exhilaration of being filled with the Spirit.
Supported by JFB
The historical mention of mandrakes representing rare, lovely, and fragrant field plants.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The treasure containing things 'new and old' matches the fruits laid up for the Beloved.
Supported by Matthew Henry