Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

His legs are pillars of marble set on bases of pure gold. His appearance is like Lebanon, as majestic as the cedars.

“From the several parts, she proceeds to the general effect of the whole person of Jesus Christ. Lebanon--so called from its white limestone rocks. excellent--literally, "choice," that is, fair and tall as the cedars on Lebanon (Eze 31:3, &c.).”

My beloved has gone down to his garden, to the beds of spices, to pasture his flock in the gardens and to gather lilies.

“Nowhere else in the Song is there mention of mountains of spices. feed in . . . gardens--that is, in the churches, though He may have withdrawn for a time from the individual believer: she implies an invitation to the daughters of Jerusalem to enter…”

I belong to my beloved and he belongs to me; he pastures his flock among the lilies.

“Literally, "I am for my beloved . . . for me." Reverse order from So 2:16. She now, after the season of darkness, grounds her convictions on His love towards her, more than on hers towards Him (De 33:3).”

You are as beautiful, my darling, as Tirzah, as lovely as Jerusalem, as majestic as troops with banners.

“No ground for assigning a later date than the time of Solomon to the Song, as Tirzah was even in his time the capital of the north (Israel), as Jerusalem was of the south (Judah).”

I went down to the walnut grove to see the blossoms of the valley, to see if the vines were budding or the pomegranates were in bloom.

“The bride's words; for she everywhere is the narrator, and often soliloquizes, which He never does. The first garden (So 2:11-13) was that of spring, full of flowers and grapes not yet ripe; the second, autumn, with spices (which are always connected with the person…”

Before I realized it, my desire had set me among the royal chariots of my people.

“Rather, "my willing people" (Ps 110:3). A willing chariot bore a "willing people"; or Nadib is the Prince, Jesus Christ (Ps 68:17). She is borne in a moment into His presence (Eph 2:6).”

Come back, come back, O Shulammite! Come back, come back, that we may gaze upon you. Why do you look at the Shulammite, as on the dance of Mahanaim?

“The two armies are the family of Jesus Christ in heaven, and that on earth, joined and one with Him; the one militant, the other triumphant.”

Your breasts are like two fawns, twins of a gazelle.

“The daughters of Jerusalem describe her in the same terms as Jesus Christ in So 4:5. The testimonies of heaven and earth coincide. twins--faith and love.”

Your stature is like a palm tree; your breasts are clusters of fruit.

“The sure sign of water near (Ex 15:27; Joh 7:38). clusters--not of dates, as MOODY STUART thinks. The parallelism (So 7:8), "clusters of the vine," shows it is here clusters of grapes.”

I said, “I will climb the palm tree; I will take hold of its fruit.”

“It is the symbol of triumphant joy (Joh 12:13); so hereafter (Re 7:9). breasts-- (Isa 66:11). the vine--Jesus Christ (Ho 14:7, end; Joh 15:1). nose--that is, breath; the Holy Ghost breathed into her nostrils by Him, whose "mouth is most sweet" (So 5:16).”

I belong to my beloved, and his desire is for me.

“Words of the daughters of Jerusalem and the bride, now united into one (Ac 4:32). They are mentioned again distinctly (So 8:4), as fresh converts were being added from among enquirers, and these needed to be charged not to grieve the Spirit.”

Come, my beloved, let us go to the countryside; let us spend the night among the wildflowers.

“At Stephen's death the disciples were scattered from it through Judea and Samaria, preaching the word (Ac 8:4-25). Jesus Christ was with them, confirming the word with miracles.”

O that you were to me like a brother who nursed at my mother’s breasts! If I found you outdoors, I would kiss you, and no one would despise me.

“It refers to the time after His resurrection, when the previous outward intimacy with Him was no longer allowed, but it was implied it should be renewed at the second coming (Joh 20:17).”

I would lead you and bring you to the house of my mother who taught me. I would give you spiced wine to drink, the nectar of my pomegranates.

“Jesus Christ ought to have our choicest gifts. Spices are never introduced in the song in His absence; therefore the time of His return from "the mountain of spices" (So 8:14) is contemplated.”

We have a little sister, and her breasts are not yet grown. What shall we do for our sister on the day she is spoken for?

“The Gentile Church (Eze 16:48). "We," that is, the Hebrew Church, which heretofore admitted Gentiles to communion, only by becoming Judaic proselytes. Now first idolatrous Gentiles are admitted directly (Ac 11:17-26).”

Come away, my beloved, and be like a gazelle or a young stag on the mountains of spices.

“Re 8:3, 4); thus He surmounts the other three mountains, God's justice, our sin, death. The mountain of spices is as much greater than our sins, as heaven is higher than earth (Ps 103:11).”