As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.
Apple - generic term; including the golden citron, pomegranate, and orange apple (Proverbs 25:11). He combines the shadow and fragrance of the citron with the sweetness of the orange and pomegranate fruit. The foliage is perpetual: throughout the year a succession of blossoms, fruit, and perfume.
Among the sons - parallel to "among the daughters." He alone is ever fruitful among the fruitless wild trees (Hebrews 1:9).
I sat ... with delight - literally, I eagerly desired and sat (Psalms 94:19; Ephesians 2:6; 1 Peter 1:8).
Shadow - (Isaiah 4:6.) Jesus Christ interposes the shadow of His cross between the blazing rays of justice and us sinners. Lamentations 4:20 is the type. Fruit - faith plucks it (Proverbs 3:18). Man lost the tree of life, (Genesis 3:1-24.) Jesus Christ has regained it for him: he eats it partly now (Psalms 119:103; John 6:55; John 6:57); fully hereafter (Revelation 2:7): not earned by the sweat of his brow, or by his righteousness, (Romans 10:1-21.) Compare Hosea 14:6-9, Contrast the worldling's fruit (Luke 15:16).