Song of Solomon 4

9. sister . . . spouse--This title is here first used, as He is soon about to institute the Supper, the pledge of the nuptial union. By the term "sister," carnal ideas are excluded; the ardor of a spouse's love is combined with the purity of a sister's ( Isaiah 54:5 ; compare Mark 3:35 ).
one--Even one look is enough to secure His love ( Zechariah 12:10 Luke 23:40-43 ). Not merely the Church collectively, but each one member of it ( Matthew 18:10 Matthew 18:14 , Luke 15:7 Luke 15:24 Luke 15:32 ).
chain--necklace ( Isaiah 62:3 , Malachi 3:17 ), answering to the "shields" hanging in the tower of David ( Solomon 4:4 ). Compare the "ornament" ( 1 Peter 3:4 ); "chains" ( Proverbs 1:9 , 3:22 ).

10. love--Hebrew, "loves"; manifold tokens of thy love.
much better--answering to her "better" ( Solomon 1:2 ), but with increased force. An Amoebean pastoral character pervades the Song, like the classic Amoebean idylls and eclogues.
wine--The love of His saints is a more reviving cordial to Him than wine; for example, at the feast in Simon's house ( Luke 7:36 Luke 7:47 , John 4:32 ; compare Zechariah 10:7 ).
smell of . . . ointments than all spices--answering to her praise ( Solomon 1:3 ) with increased force. Fragrant, as being fruits of His Spirit in us ( Galatians 5:22 ).

11. drop--always ready to fall, being full of honey, though not always ( Proverbs 10:19 ) actually dropping ( Solomon 5:13 , Deuteronomy 32:2 , Matthew 12:34 ).
honeycomb--( Proverbs 5:3 , 16:24 ).
under thy tongue--not always on, but under, the tongue, ready to fall ( Psalms 55:21 ). Contrast her former state ( Psalms 140:3 , Romans 3:13 ). "Honey and milk" were the glory of the good land. The change is illustrated in the penitent thief. Contrast Matthew 27:44 with Luke 23:39 , &c. It was literally with "one" eye, a sidelong glance of love "better than wine," that he refreshed Jesus Christ ( Song of Solomon 4:9 Song of Solomon 4:10 ). "To-day shalt thou be with Me (compare Solomon 4:8 ) in Paradise" ( Solomon 4:12 ), is the only joyous sentence of His seven utterances on the cross.
smell of . . . garments--which are often perfumed in the East ( Psalms 45:8 ). The perfume comes from Him on us ( Psalms 133:2 ). We draw nigh to God in the perfumed garment of our elder brother ( Genesis 27:27 ; see Jude 1:23 ).
Lebanon--abounding in odoriferous trees ( Hosea 14:5-7 ).

12. The Hebrew has no "is." Here she is distinct from the garden ( Solomon 5:1 ), yet identified with it ( Solomon 4:16 ) as being one with Him in His sufferings. Historically the Paradise, into which the soul of Jesus Christ entered at death; and the tomb of Joseph, in which His body was laid amid "myrrh," &c. ( Solomon 4:6 ), situated in a nicely kept garden (compare "gardener," John 20:15 ); "sealed" with a stone ( Matthew 27:66 ); in which it resembles "wells" in the East ( Genesis 29:3 Genesis 29:8 ). It was in a garden of light Adam fell; in a garden of darkness, Gethsemane, and chiefly that of the tomb, the second Adam retrieved us. Spiritually the garden is the gospel kingdom of heaven. Here all is ripe; previously ( Solomon 2:13 ) it was "the tender grape." The garden is His, though He calls the plants hers ( Solomon 4:13 ) by His gift ( Isaiah 61:3 , end).
spring . . . fountain--Jesus Christ ( John 4:10 ) sealed, while He was in the sealed tomb: it poured forth its full tide on Pentecost ( John 7:37-39 ). Still He is a sealed fountain until the Holy Ghost opens it to one ( 1 Corinthians 12:3 ). The Church also is "a garden enclosed" ( Psalms 4:3 , Isaiah 5:1 , &c.). Contrast Psalms 80:9-12 . So "a spring" ( Isaiah 27:3 , 58:11 ); "sealed" ( Ephesians 4:30 , 2 Timothy 2:19 ). As wives in the East are secluded from public gaze, so believers ( Psalms 83:3 , Colossians 3:3 ). Contrast the open streams which "pass away" ( Job 6:15-18 , 2 Peter 2:17 ).

13. orchard--Hebrew, "a paradise," that is, a pleasure-ground and orchard. Not only flowers, but fruit trees ( John 15:8 , Philippians 1:11 ).
camphire--not camphor ( Solomon 1:14 ), hennah, or cypress blooms.

14. calamus--"sweet cane" ( Exodus 30:23 , Jeremiah 6:20 ).
myrrh and aloes--Ointments are associated with His death, as well as with feasts ( John 12:7 ). The bride's ministry of "myrrh and aloes" is recorded ( John 19:39 ).

15. of--This pleasure-ground is not dependent on mere reservoirs; it has a fountain sufficient to water many "gardens" (plural).
living--( Jeremiah 17:8 , John 4:13 John 4:14 , John 7:38 John 7:39 ).
from Lebanon--Though the fountain is lowly, the source is lofty; fed by the perpetual snows of Lebanon, refreshingly cool ( Jeremiah 18:14 ), fertilizing the gardens of Damascus. It springs upon earth; its source is heaven. It is now not "sealed," but open "streams" ( Revelation 22:17 ).

16. Awake--literally, "arise." All besides is ready; one thing alone is wanted--the breath of God. This follows rightly after His death ( Solomon 6:12 , Acts 2:1-4 ). It is His call to the Spirit to come ( John 14:16 ); in John 3:8 , compared to "the wind"; quickening ( John 6:63 , Ezekiel 27:9 ). Saints offer the same prayer ( Psalms 85:6 , Habakkuk 3:2 ). The north wind "awakes," or arises strongly, namely, the Holy Ghost as a reprover ( John 16:8-11 ); the south wind "comes" gently, namely, the Holy Ghost as the comforter ( John 14:16 ). The west wind brings rain from the sea ( 1 Kings 18:44 1 Kings 18:45 , Luke 12:54 ). The east wind is tempestuous ( Job 27:21 , Isaiah 27:8 ) and withering ( Genesis 41:23 ). These, therefore, are not wanted; but first the north wind clearing the air ( Job 37:22 , Proverbs 25:23 ), and then the warm south wind ( Job 37:17 ); so the Holy Ghost first clearing away mists of gloom, error, unbelief, sin, which intercept the light of Jesus Christ, then infusing spiritual warmth ( 2 Corinthians 4:6 ), causing the graces to exhale their odor.
Let my beloved, &c.--the bride's reply. The fruit was now at length ripe; the last passover, which He had so desired, is come ( Luke 22:7 Luke 22:15 Luke 22:16 Luke 22:18 ), the only occasion in which He took charge of the preparations.
his--answering to Jesus Christ's "My." She owns that the garden is His, and the fruits in her, which she does not in false humility deny ( Psalms 66:16 , Acts 21:19 , 1 Corinthians 15:10 ) are His ( John 15:8 , Philippians 1:11 ).