Hooglied 2:9-17

9 Mijn Liefste is gelijk een ree, of een welp der herten; ziet, Hij staat achter onzen muur, kijkende uit de vensteren, blinkende uit de tralien.

10 Mijn Liefste antwoordt, en zegt tot mij: Sta op, Mijn vriendin, Mijn schone, en kom!

11 Want zie, de winter is voorbij, de plasregen is over, hij is overgegaan;

12 De bloemen worden gezien in het land, de zangtijd genaakt, en de stem der tortelduif wordt gehoord in ons land.

13 De vijgeboom brengt zijn jonge vijgjes voort, en de wijnstokken geven reuk met hun jonge druifjes. Sta op, Mijn vriendin! Mijn schone, en kom!

14 Mijn duive, zijnde in de kloven der steenrotsen, in het verborgene ener steile plaats, toon Mij uw gedaante, doe Mij uw stem horen; want uw stem is zoet, en uw gedaante is liefelijk.

15 Vangt gijlieden ons de vossen, de kleine vossen, die de wijngaarden verderven, want onze wijngaarden hebben jonge druifjes.

16 Mijn Liefste is mijn, en ik ben Zijn, Die weidt onder de lelien,

17 Totdat de dag aankomt, en de schaduwen vlieden; keer om, mijn Liefste! wordt Gij gelijk een ree, of een welp der herten, op de bergen van Bether.

Hooglied 2:9-17 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO SONG OF SOLOMON 2

Here begins a new colloquy between Christ and his church; in which they alternately set forth the excellencies of each other; and express their mutual affection for, and delight and pleasure they take in, each other's company. Christ seems to begin, in an account of himself and his own excellencies, and of the church in her present state, So 2:1,2; then she, in her turn, praises him, and commends him above all others relates some choice proofs she had had of his love to her, and of communion with him in his house and ordinances, to such a degree as to overcome her, So 2:3-6; and then either he or she gives a charge to the daughters of Jerusalem, not to disturb either the one or the other in their sweet repose, So 2:7. Next the church relates how she heard the voice of Christ, and had a sight of him on the hills and mountains, at some distance; then more nearly, behind her wall, and through the lattices, So 2:8,9; and expresses the very words in which he spake to her, and gave her a call to come away with him; making use of arguments from the season of the year, the signs of which are beautifully described, So 2:10-13; and requests that she would come out of her solitude, that he might enjoy her company, whose countenance and voice are so delightful to him; and gives a charge to her and her friends, to seize on such as were harmful and prejudicial to their mutual property, So 2:14,15. And she closes the chapter with expressing her faith of interest in Christ; and with a petition for his speedy approach to her, and continued presence with her, So 2:16,17.