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THE SONG OF SOLOMON

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Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Oct 19, 1904

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 30, No. 41.

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THE SONG OF SOLOMON.

By F. D. Starr

BY F. D. STARR.
THUS far in our study of the books of the Bible, we have made scarcely any reference to commentaries or works of that nature, but perhaps it would be well for a change to deviate somewhat from this rule for once, and present a few thoughts from authors who have written some very good things concerning the book in question. So we will venture to submit a few extracts which we hope may be helpful.
Concerning the Song of Solomon, we find in Matthew Henry’s Commentary the following: “All scripture we are sure is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for the support and advancement of the interests of His kingdom among men, and it is nevertheless so, for there being found in it some things dark and hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest to their own destruction. In our belief both of the divine extractions, and of the spiritual exposition, of this book, we are confirmed by the ancient, constant, and concurring testimony, both of the church of the Jews, to whom were committed the oracles of God, and who never made any doubt of the authority of this book, and of the Christian church, which happily succeeds them in that trust and honor.”
“1. It must be confessed, on the one hand, that if he who rarely reads this book, be asked, as the eunuch was, Understandest thou what thou readest? he will have more reason than he had to say, How can I, except some man should guide me? The books of scripture-history and prophecy are very like one another, but this Song of Solomon’s is very unlike the songs of his father David; . . . it seems as hard as any part of Scripture to be made a savor of life unto life, nay, and to those who come to the reading of it with carnal minds, and corrupt affections, it is in danger of being made a savor of death unto death; it is a flower out of which they extract poison.
“2. It must be confessed, on the other hand, that, with the help of the many faithful guides we have for the understanding of this book, it appears to be a very bright and powerful ray of heavenly light, admirably fitted to excite pious and devout affections in holy souls, to draw out their desires toward God, to increase their delight in Him, and improve their acquaintance and communion with Him. It is an allegory, the letter of which kills those who rest in that, and look no further, but the spirit of which gives life.”
From the “Homiletic Commentary,” we present the following: “It is well with Dr. Chalmers to begin the study of this sacred book with the prayer: ‘My God, spiritualize my affections; give me intense love to Christ.’ This book, like the rest of Scripture, is to be read with seriousness and expounded with discretion; but no argument against reading and preaching from it in the fact that evil men may abuse it. Ignorant men wrest also other scriptures to their own destruction. ‘To the pure all things are pure.’ The holiest and most spiritually-minded have naturally delighted most in this book in which they find most of their Beloved and their Friend. Witness Bernard, of Clairvoix, Samuel Rutherford, and Robert McCheyne. In Scotland’s best times, the Song of Solomon was the chosen field of meditation at Sacramental seasons.”
In “The People’s Bible” is found the following extract from “Angus’s Bible Handbook:” “Much of the language of the Song of Solomon has been misunderstood by early expositors. Some have erred by adopting a fanciful method of explanation, and attempting to give a mystical meaning to every minute circumstance of the allegory. In all figurative representations there is always much that is mere costume. It is the general truth only that is to be examined and explained. Others, not understanding the spirit and luxuriancy of Eastern poetry, have considered particular passages as defective in delicacy, an impression which the English version has needlessly confirmed, and so have objected to the whole. . . . If it be remembered that the figure employed in this allegory, is one of the most frequent in Scripture, that in extant oriental poems it is constantly employed to express religious feeling, that many expressions which are applied in our translation to the person, belong properly to the dress (ch. 5:10, 14; 7:2), that every generation has its own notions of delicacy (the most delicate in this sense being by no means the most virtuous), that nothing is described but chaste affection, that Shulamite speaks and is spoken of collectively, and that it is the general truth only which is to be allegorized, the whole will appear to be no unfit representation of the union between Christ and true believers in every age.”
This book surely presents a very emphatic proof of the necessity of the advice given by one of the Lord’s servants, that we should never enter upon the study of the Scriptures without prayer. We need our minds elevated to see the spiritual side of this allegory. There are some very touching allusions in this book to Him who says He is “the Rose of Sharon and the Lily of the Valleys;” “the chiefest among ten thousand.” “He is altogether lovely.” How many of us have found Him so, so that we can say, “This is my Beloved, and this is my Friend?” On the other hand, are we in that condition that He can say of us, as of His spouse: “There is no spot in thee?” Ch. 4:7. This accords with the statement in Eph. 5:27, “That He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.”
The condition of the church as she goes forth to her final conflict and victory, and to her final reward, is thus described: “Who is she that looketh forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners?” This is soon to be demonstrated.
“My Best-beloved sits enthroned On hills of light and worlds unknown; There He descends and shows His face, In the rich gardens of His grace.”
“Come my Beloved, haste away, Cut short the hours of Thy delay, Fly like a youthful hart or roe, Over the fields where spices grow.”