Read Song of Songs 5:9–16
Questions from the Scripture text: What do the Daughters of Jerusalem ask the bride (Song of Songs 5:9a–c)? How do they clarify the question (verse 9d–e)? In response to what (verse 9f)? What does she say about His appearance (Song of Songs 5:10a)? And His uniqueness (verse 10b)? What does she say about His head (Song of Songs 5:11a)? And His hair (verse 11b–c)? And His eyes (Song of Songs 5:12)? And His cheeks (Song of Songs 5:13a–b)? And His lips (verse 13c–d)? And His hands (Song of Songs 5:14a–b)? And His body (verse 14c–d)? And His legs (Song of Songs 5:15a–b)? And His face (verse 15c–d)? And His mouth (Song of Songs 5:16a)? In what three ways does she summarize (verse 16b–d)? Unto whom (verse 16e)?
Why does the bride desire Christ? Song of Songs 5:9–16 prepares us for the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these eight verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the bride desires Christ because He is altogether lovely.
The bride has asked the daughters of Jerusalem to pray for her (Song of Songs 5:8), but they serve her in an additional way: they ask her about the Bridegroom. She has failed to enjoy Him, because she was consumed with herself, rather than with Him (cf. Song of Songs 5:3). But now, she is put to it to describe Him. It will always do much good to the church, when she focuses upon the glories of her Lord Jesus Christ. It is especially when the believer has learned from Christ to take His view of the church (Song of Songs 5:9, cf. Song of Songs 1:8), that he is prepared to learn from the church a proper view of Christ. The rest of the passage has the flavor of Psalm 45:1–9, “overflowing with a good theme.” He is pure (“white,” Song of Songs 5:10a) and full of life (“ruddy,” Song of Songs 5:10a). As the greatest head there is (verse 10b), His authority exceeds all others in value (“gold,” Song of Songs 5:11a) and vigor that does not decline (full, dark hair, verse 11b–c). His eyes (Song of Songs 5:12), themselves being doves, indicate the gentleness of Christ, which is ever fresh (“by rivers of waters,” verse 12b), comforting (“washed with milk,” verse 12c), and properly dignified (“fitly set,” verse 12d). The fellowship of His face is so delightful that just a fragment of it (“cheeks”) is like beds and banks of spices and flowers (Song of Songs 5:13a–b). It is especially His lips, by which the bride hears His Words and knows His kisses, that flow with abundance of myrrh (verse 13c–d). There is no end to the sweetness of His anointing that flows to her from His lips. His works (“hands,” Song of Songs 5:14a–b), strength and beauty (“body,” verse 14c–d), and ways (“legs,” Song of Songs 5:15a–b) exceed all men in dignity and royalty. Finally, the fellowship enjoyed now in His full face (“countenance,” verse 15c, not just cheeks) and mouth (Song of Songs 5:16a) take all that He is and bring them near to His bride in incomparably sweet, intimate fellowship. To conclude, every aspect of His is lovely (verse 16b), but even above this is that He has made Himself her Beloved Husband (verse 16c) and Companion (verse 16d). Let all believers learn from the church to make their soul’s great boast in the glory of the Lord Jesus!
What glory of Christ has meant the most to you? What glory should mean more? Whom do you tell of His glory?
Sample prayer: Lord, You are the chief of ten thousand, the fairest of all, and altogether lovely. Forgive us for when we have lost the sense of the greatness of Your glory. Restore to us a true perception of Christ, and make us those who tell His praise to others, we ask in His Name, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP45A “My Heart Is Greatly Stirred” or TPH282 “I Greet Thee, Who My Sure Redeemer Art”
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