We believe that this song sets forth the mutual love of Christ and his believing people. It is a book of deep mystery, not to be understood except by the initiated; but those who have learnt a life of sacred fellowship with Jesus will bear witness that when they desire to express what they feel they are compelled to borrow expressions from this matchless song. Samuel Rutherford, in his famous letters, when he spoke of the love of Christ as shed abroad in his heart, perhaps was scarcely conscious that he continually reproduced the expressions of the song, but so it is. They were naturally fresh enough from him, but they came from this wonderful book. It stands in the middle of the Bible. It is the holy of holies the central point of all.
Thus he speaks the glorious «greater than Solomon.»
Song of Solomon 2:1-2. I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys. As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters.
So does Christ's Church spring up singular for her beauty as much different from the world as much superior thereto as the lily to the thorns. Now see how she responds and answers to him.
Song of Solomon 2:3. As the apple tree among the trees of the wood. so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was street to my taste.
To him there is none like her; to her there is none like him. Jesus values his people. He paid his heart's blood for their redemption, and «unto you that believe, he is precious.» No mention shall be made of coral or of rubies, in comparison with him. Nothing can equal him. There are other trees in the wood, but he is the one lone fruit-bearing the citron tree, whose golden apples are delicious to our taste. Let us come up and pluck from his loaded branches this very night.
Song of Solomon 2:4. He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.
You and I know what this means at least, many here do. You know how delightful it is to feel that it is not the banner of war now, but the banner of love, that waves above your head, for all is peace between you and your God. And now you are not brought to the prison-house or to the place of labour, but to the banqueting house. Act worthily of the position which you occupy. If you are in a banqueting house, take care to feast.
Song of Solomon 2:5. Stay me with flagons, comfort me with apples: for I am sick of love.
Oh! that I knew him better! Oh! that I loved him more! Oh! that I were more like him! Oh! that I were with him! «I am sick of love.»
Song of Solomon 2:6-7. His left hand is under my head, and his right hand doth embrace me. I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, till he please.
If he be with me, may nothing disturb him nothing cause him to withdraw himself. Our Lord Jesus is very jealous, and when he manifests himself to his people, a very little thing will drive him away like the hinds and the roes that are very timid, so is communion a very delicate and dainty thing. It is soon broken. Oh! may God grant tonight that nothing may happen to the thoughts of any of you by which your fellowship with Christ should be destroyed.
This exposition consisted of readings from Psalms 116:10-19; Song of Solomon 2:1-7.