Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, turn, my beloved, and be thou like a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of Bether.
Ver. 17. Until the day break, and the shadows flee away.] Until that day dawn, a that last and glorious day, when Christ the Sun of righteousness shall appear, and chase away the shadows of sin and misery wherewith I am here benighted.
Turn about, my beloved.] And though thou leave me for a time, as "thou art a God that hidest thyself," Isa 45:15 yet never forsake me, but let thine heart be ever upon me, and thine hand ready to help at a dead lift.
Yea, be thou like a roe or a young hart.] Come sweetly and seasonably to my relief and succour. To set thee a time were to set the sun by my dial. But when thine own time is come, then "come, Lord Jesus, come quickly," be as nimble as a roe or young hart upon the mountains of Bether, called elsewhere "Bithron," beyond Jordan, 2Sa 2:29 which mountains were much hunted by hunters. Mountains of division, some render it, and one b descants thus: The spouse of Christ in that heavenly marriage song calleth him a young hart on the mountains of division. Tell me, then, whither will you go for truth, if you will allow no truth but where there is no division?
a Umbra terrae noctem facit. The shadow of earth makes the night. - Isidor. Etym., lib. v. cap. 13.
b Dr Hall Epist., v. dec. 3.