SONG OF SOLOMON (CANTICLES) CHAPTER 1

IN THIS CHAPTER, AFTER THE title of the book (Sol 1:1), we have Christ and his church, Christ and a believer, expressing their esteem for each other. I. The bride, the church, speaks to the bridegroom (Sol 1:2-4), to the daughters of Jerusalem (Sol 1:5, Sol 1:6), and then to the bridegroom (Sol 1:7). II. Christ, the bridegroom, speaks in answer to the complaints and requests of his spouse (Sol 1:8-11). III. The church expresses the great value she has for Christ, and the delights she takes in communion with him (Sol 1:12-14). IV. Christ commends the church’s beauty (Sol 1:15). V. The church returns the commendation (Sol 1:16, Sol 1:17). Where there is a fire of true love to Christ in the heart this will be of use to blow it up into a flame.

Song of Solomon (Canticles) 1:1

We have here the title of this book, showing, 1. The nature of it; it is a song, that it might the better answer the intention, which is to stir up the affections and to heat them, which poetry will be very instrumental to do. The subject is pleasing, and therefore fit to be treated of in a song, in singing which we may make melody with our hearts unto the Lord. It is evangelical; and gospel-times should be times of joy, for gospel-grace puts a new song into our mouths, Psa 98:1. 2. The dignity of it; it is the song of songs, a most excellent song, not only above any human composition, or above all other songs which Solomon penned, but even above any other of the scripture-songs, as having more of Christ in it. 3. The penman of it; it is Solomon’s. It is not the song of fools, as many of the songs of love are, but the song of the wisest of men; nor can any man give a better proof of his wisdom than to celebrate the love of God to mankind and to excite his own love to God and that of others with it. Solomon’s songs were a thousand and five (Kg1 4:32); those that were of other subjects are lost, but this of seraphic love remains,