All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.
All thy garments (smell) of myrrh, and aloes, (and) cassia. Cassia is 'a bark like cinnamon, but less aromatic: so called from its being peeled off' х qªtsiy`owt (H7102), from qaatsa` (H7106)] (Gesenius). The attire of the bridegroom in Eastern custom is richly perfumed.
Out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad. It is significant that the perfumes come from the same palaces of kings (frequently decorated with ivory, 1 Kings 22:39; Amos 3:15) out of which the "kings' daughters" come (Psalms 45:9). The "gladness" of the King manifests itself in the perfumed garments (literally, 'myrrh, and aloes, (and) cassia (are) all thy garments;' so sweetly do they smell as to seem to be made wholly of them). The quarter whence His "gladness" comes is "out of the ivory palaces," whence come the "kings' daughters." Their graces (symbolized by these perfumes) become His gladness (cf. Philippians 4:18). The neck of the bride herself is called a "tower of ivory" (Song of Solomon 7:4). The typical high priest was anointed with a precious compound oil exclusively appropriated to him.