Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name [is as] ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee.
Ver. 3. Because of the savour of thy good ointments.] Or, To smell to, thy ointments are best. Odoratissimus es. As the panther casts abroad a fragrant savour; as Alexander the Great is said to have had a natural sweetness with him by reason of the good temperament of his body; so, and much more than so, the Lord Christ, that sweetest of sweets. He kisseth his poor persecuted people, as Constantine once kissed Paphnutius's lost eye; a and departing, for here he comes but as a suitor only till the marriage be made up in heaven, he leaves such a sweet scent behind him, such a balmy verdure, as attracts all good hearts unto him, so that where this all-quickening carcase is there would "the eagles be also." Mat 24:28 The Israelites removed their tents from Mithcah, which signifies sweetness, to Hashmonah, which signifies swiftness; Num 33:29 to teach us, saith one, that the saints have no sooner tasted Christ's sweetness, but they are carried after him presently with incredible swiftness. Hence they are said to have "a nose like the tower of Lebanon," Son 7:4 for their singular sagacity in smelling after Christ, and to flee to the holy assemblies, where Christ's odours are beaten out to the smell, "as the clouds," or "as the doves to their windows." Isa 60:8 For what reason? they have "their senses habitually exercised to discern good and evil," Heb 5:14 and "their love abounds yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment." Php 1:9
Thy name is an ointment poured forth.] There is an elegant allusion in the original between Shem and Shemen - that is, name, and ointment. And Christ hath his name both in Hebrew and Greek from ointment; b for these three words in signification are all one, Messiah, Christ, Anointed. See the reason, Isaiah 61:1, "The spirit of the Lord," - that oil of gladness Heb 1:9 - "is upon me, because he hath anointed, and appointed, me to preach good tidings to the meek"; 2 Corinthians 2:2; 2 Corinthians 2:14,16, &c. Now when this is done to the life, when Christ crucified is preached, when the Holy Ghost in the mouth and ministry of his faithful servants shall take of Christ's excellencies, as it is his office to do, Joh 16:14 and hold them out to the world; when he shall hold up the tapestry, as it were, and shew men the Lord Christ, with an Ecce virum, Behold the man, that one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus; 1Ti 2:5 see him in his natures, in his offices, in his works, in the blessed effects of all; this cannot but stir up wonderful loves in all good souls; with hearty wishes, that "if any one love not the Lord Jesus Christ, he may be Anathema Maranatha," 1Co 16:22 accursed upon accursed, and put over to God to punish.
Therefore the virgins love thee,] i.e., All that are adjoined to me in comely sort, as chaste damosels to their mother and mistress. The elect and faithful are called virgins for their spiritual chastity. They are God's hidden ones, as the word c here used signifieth, as they are called; Psa 83:3 they are not defiled with the corruptions that are in the world through lust, for they are virgins; Rev 14:4 else the bride would not suffer them about her. Psa 45:14 Of Queen Elizabeth it is said, that she never suffered any lady to approach her presence of whose stain she had but the least suspicion. d "These follow the Lamb wheresoever he goeth," (ib.), as the other creatures follow the panther for his sweet odours; as birds of prey are carried after carcases. "Whom having not seen, yet ye love," and can do no less, 1Pe 1:8 "because he first loved you," and hath "shed abroad his love in your hearts by his holy Spirit." 1Jn 4:19 Rom 5:5 Amate amorem illius, oh love his love, saith Bernard, and cry out with Ignatius, O ερως ο εμος εσταυρωται, My love was crucified. If the centurion in the Gospel were held worthy of respect because he "loved our nation," said those Jews, "and built us a synagogue," Luk 7:5 what shall we say of Christ, who "loved us, and washed us with his own blood" &c.? Rev 1:5 "Herein was love," &c. And should not love be the whetstone of love? e should we not reciprocate? shall we be worse than publicans? shall not the love of Christ constrain us? &c. 2Co 5:14
a Eusebius.
b משׁיה, χριστος
c עלמות, puellae absconditae; propter secretiorem educationem. - Riv.
d Speed, 1236.
e Cos amoris amor.