Song of Solomon, Chapter 1
King Solomon wrote many songs, but only one has been kept until now, it was a very special one, for it was called, “The Song of Songs”, and forms a short book in the Bible. It may not seem like a song to us, but as written in the Hebrew, it was poetry and could be set to music, and has always been highly regarded by the Hebrew people. it speaks of customs well known to them, and of plants, trees, and flowers of Palestine.
Two persons sang to each other in this Song, sometimes one could not see the other, and speaks or sings to others, or asks about that one; we cannot now be certain which one sings some parts, but it is a song of their love and praise.
One singer was a woman, called “my sister, my spouse” (wife); the one she loved was not directly named, unless at the very close (Chapt. 8:12), but called, “My Beloved”, yet she says his name is “as ointment poured forth” (Chapt, 1:3), so it was a precious name to her, for costly ointments were then used to do honor by their sweet perfume. Once she spoke of her beloved as though a shepherd, and asked where he fed his flocks, and where he made them rest at noon (Chapt. 1:7).
As we read this Song we believe, as the Hebrew people have, that it was meant to show God’s great love to His people; also, their love to Him; and to picture a time when they will again enjoy His love. He cared for them as a Shepherd; “fed” them and gave peace to their hearts, as a shepherd keeps his flock in shady places when the sun is hot. It was by the mention of things of earth which they could see, that He taught them how dear they were to Him. His people were many, but this one woman reprented all. She told others she was black, —because the sun had looked upon her while she worked hard in, vineyards. Yet she said she was comely (pleasing), “as the tents of Kedar”, who were shepherds with many flocks, not far away in what we call Arabia. (Is. 60:7), The tents were made of black goat skins, glossy in the bright sunshine. She said, too, she was like Solomon’s curtains which must have been beautiful, as all else about him.
God had taken the people of Israel from the work of slaves in the hot sun of Egypt, greatly blessed them, they were “comely” to Him. After the Son of God came to earth, we are told even more of God’s love. All who believe, now can tell others they were “black” because of sins, but made “fair” by Christ.
Kings of that time decorated their horses, which were eager to carry them to war, with gold, silver; and jewels. In this song the Beloved said,
“I have compared thee, O, my love, to a company of horses in Pharaoh’s army”. Chap. 1:9.
It may seem strange to compare people to horses, but it means they will be used in His service, and He will give them honor; they will be quick, ready to serve.
The Song of Songs is sometimes called “The Canticles”, from a Latin word for chanted songs.
ML 08/31/1941