the prologue. - The Song commences with two stanzas in praise of the king (now absent) by a chorus of virgins belonging to the royal household. Expositors, Jewish and Christian, interpret the whole as spoken by the Church of the heavenly Bridegroom.
Let him kiss me - Christian expositors have regarded this as a prayer of the Church under the old covenant for closer communion with the Godhead through the Incarnation. Thus, Gregory: “Every precept of Christ received by the Church is as one of His kisses.”
Thy love - Better as margin, i. e., thy endearments or tokens of affection are more desired than any other delights.
Because ... - Better, For fragrance are thine ointments good, making with the clause that follows two steps of a climax: “thy perfumes are good, thy name the best of all perfumes.” “Ointments” here are unguents or fragrant oils largely used for anointing at entertainments (compare Psalms 23:5; Luke 7:46; John 12:3).
Thy name ... poured forth - As unguents are the sweeter for diffusion, so the king’s name the wider it is known.
The king hath brought me - Made me a member of his household. This is true of every member of the chorus as well as of the bride.
The upright love thee - Better as in the margin: uprightly do they (i. e., “the virgins” of Song of Solomon 1:3) love thee. Compare the use of the same word in Psalms 58:1; Proverbs 23:31.