Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits.
Awake - Arise. All beside is ready: one thing alone is wanted-the breath of God. This fellows rightly after His death, (Song of Solomon 6:12; Acts 2:1.) It is His call to the Spirit to come (John 14:16); in John 3:8 compared to "the wind:" quickening (John 6:63; Ezekiel 37:9). Saints offer the same prayer (Psalms 85:6). The north wind 'awakes,' or arises strongly-namely, the Holy Spirit as a reprover (John 16:8-11); the south wind 'comes' gently-namely, the Holy Spirit as the Comforter (John 14:16). The west wind brings rain from the sea (1 Kings 18:44-45). The east wind is tempestuous (Job 27:21), and withering (Genesis 41:23). These, therefore, are not wanted; but first the north wind, clearing the air (Job 37:22), and then the warm south wind (Job 37:17); so the Holy Spirit first clearing away mists of gloom, error, unbelief, sin, which intercept the light of Jesus Christ, then infusing spiritual warmth (2 Corinthians 4:6), causing the graces to exhale their odour.
Let my beloved ... - The bride's reply. The fruit was now at length ripe; the last Passover, which He had so desired, is come (Luke 22:7; Luke 22:15-18), the only case in which He took charge of the preparations.
His - answering to Jesus Christ's "my." She owns that the garden is His, and the fruits in her which she does not in false humility conceal (Psalms 66:16), are His (John 15:8).