Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves' eyes within thy locks: thy hair is as a flock of goats, that appear from mount Gilead. (2) Thy teeth are like a flock of sheep that are even shorn, which came up from the washing; whereof everyone bear twins, and none is barren among them. (3) Thy lips are like a thread of scarlet, and thy speech is comely: thy temples are like a piece of a pomegranate within thy locks. (4) Thy neck is like the tower of David builded for an armoury, whereon there hang a thousand bucklers, all shields of mighty men. (5) Thy two breasts are like two young roes that are twins, which feed among the lilies.
The general commendation which Christ hath here given to the opening of this Chapter, to the beauty of the Church, we have in part met with before in this Song. (See Song of Solomon 1:15.) But here the Lord Jesus enters into a more particular relation of those beauties of his spouse, and with a special recommendation. It is probable from the several parts of the body here figuratively spoken of, that Jesus intended to set forth the several members of his mystical body, of which we are told by an Apostle, that all the members of that one body being many, are one body in Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:12. But at the same time there can be no question, but that Jesus is speaking of the beauty of the soul, The hidden man of the heart, as an Apostle calls it. For the king's daughter is all glorious within. Psalms 45:13. Probably by the eyes may be meant the ministers of the gospel, who are said, as instruments of the Lord, to be eyes to the blind, as well as feet to the la me. The hair may be supposed to imply both the number of Christ's people and their preciousness; which are all numbered, and not one can fall to the ground unnoticed and disregarded. The teeth, intimate the office in showing the word, and probably to intimate the clean from the unclean, as in the old Jewish dispensation. In coming up from the washing and having no barrenness, implies the very great fruitfulness of Christ's fold, and their purity when washed in his blood. The lips are very expressive of the holiness of a believer's conversation. And as g race was poured into the lips of Jesus, and the Church entreateth her Lord to kiss her with the kisses of his mouth; so it carries with it this idea; that Jesus hath thereby communicated of his fulness and grace for grace. Psalms 45:2; Song of Solomon 1:2; John 1:16; Song of Solomon 4:11. The Temples being part of the head, may probably be intended to convey the earnestness with which the soul of a believer is always supposed to be engaged, in the contemplation of her Lord. And the neck which connects the head with the body, and which is said to be as the tower of David with armory, may be intended to set forth the uniting grace by which souls are formed in union with Christ, which are stronger than a thousand bucklers, or all the shields of the mighty. The breasts of the Church have been variously considered; some as referring to the two Testaments, others to the law and the gospel, others to the two great Commandments, the love of God and the love of our neighbour: and some would have them mean the two ordinances of the gospel, baptism and the Supper of the Lord. But whether these, or any of them are intended, seems to be accompanied with too much difficulty for modern Commentators to determine. One thing however is certain, the Lord Jesus is evidently speaking with delight of his Church; and it is blessed to be viewed by him in this manner, especially when all the beauty and loveliness of the Church is considered as wholly derived from him.