Thy cheeks are comely with rows [of jewels], thy neck with chains [of gold].
Ver. 10. Thy cheeks are comely,] i.e., Thy whole face, by a synecdoche, though the cheeks are instanced, as being the seat of shamefacedness modesty, and beauty - such as was found in Esther, whose son, Artaxerxes Longimanus, was held the fairest man alive; a Aspasia Milesia, the wife of Cyrus, who was styled καλη και σορη, fair and wise and the Lady Jane Grey, whose excellent beauty was adorned with all variety of virtues, as a clear sky with stars, saith the historian, b as a princely diadem with jewels. Hence she became most dear to King Edward VI, who appointed her his successor. But nothing so dear to him, nor so happy in her succession, as the Church is to Christ, who lively describes her inward beauty, which he looks upon as a rich pearl in a rude shell, or as those "tents of Kedar" aforementioned, Son 1:5 which though coarse and homely for the outward hue, yet, for the precious gems, jewels, and sweet odours that were couched in them, were very desirable.
With rows of jewels.] A metaphor from fair women richly adorned. Holy women may be costly attired, gratior est pulchro, &c., though Seneca thinks that he was in an error that said so, since virtue needs no garnish, but is magnum sui decus, et corpus consecrat, its own greatest glory, and consecrates the body wherein it dwelleth. St Peter also prescribes ladies an excellent dress. 1Pe 3:3-4 Tertullian comes after with his Vestite vos serico pietatis, &c., Clothe yourselves with the silk of piety, with the satin of sanctity, with the purple of purity. Taliter pigmentatae Christum habebitis amatorem, Being thus arrayed and adorned, you shall have Christ to be your suitor.
Thy neck with chains,] scil., Of pearl or precious stones, that is, of heavenly graces drawn all upon that one thread of humility, which is the ribbon or string that ties together all those precious pearls. Humility is των αρετων θησαυροφυλακιον, saith Basil, the treasuress of the rest of the virtues. It is συνδεσμος των αγαθων, saith Chrysostom, the bond of all good things, the "bond of perfection," as St Paul saith of charity. Hence St Peter's word, εγκομβωσασθε, 1Pe 5:5 Be ye clothed with humility, comes of κομβος, for a knot; and it signifies not only alligare, to knit the graces together, and to preserve them from being made a prey to pride, but also innodare, say some, to tie knots, as delicate and curious women use to do of ribbons to adorn their necks, or other parts; as if humility was the knot of every virtue, and the ornament of every grace. On the contrary, pride is said to "compass evil men about as a chain," Psa 73:6 which, oh how ugly and unseemly is it on the neck of beauty, back of honour, head of learning!
a Omnium hominum pulcherrimus. - Aenil. Prob. Aelian, lib. 12, cap. 1
b Sir John Heywood.