John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 9. And the roof of thy mouth like the best wine , etc.] Which may intend, either her taste, as the word is rendered in ( Song of Solomon 2:3); by which she can distinguish good wine from bad, truth from error; or her breath, sweet and of a good smell, like the best wine; the breathings of her soul in prayer, which are sweet odours, perfumed with the incense of Christ’s mediation; or rather her speech, the words of her mouth; the roof of the mouth being an instrument of speech; the same word is sometimes rendered “the mouth”, ( Song of Solomon 5:16 Proverbs 5:3 Proverbs 8:7); and may denote both her speech in common conversation, which is warming, refreshing, comforting, and quickening; and in prayer and praise, which is well pleasing and delightful to Christ; and especially the Gospel preached by her ministers, comparable to the best wine for its antiquity, being an ancient Gospel; for its purity, unadulterated, and free from mixture, and as faithfully dispensed; its delight, flavour, and taste, to such who have their spiritual senses exercised; and for its cheering, refreshing, and strengthening nature, to drooping weary souls. It follows, for my beloved, that goeth [down] sweetly ; is received and taken down with all readiness, by those who have once tasted the sweetness and felt the power of it. Or, “that goeth to righteousnesses” f454 ; leading to the righteousness of Christ for justification, and teaching to live soberly and righteously: or, “that goeth to my beloved, straightway” or “directly” f455 ; meaning either to his Father, Christ calls his beloved, to whose love the Gospel leads and directs souls, as in a straight line, as to the source of salvation, and all the blessings of grace; or to himself, by a “mimesis”, whom the church calls so; the Gospel leading souls directly to him, his person, blood, righteousness, and sacrifice, for peace, pardon, justification, and atonement: or, “that goeth to my beloved to uprightnesses” f456 ; that is, to the church, who is Christ’s beloved, consisting of upright men in heart and life, whom Christ calls his beloved and his friends, ( Song of Solomon 5:1); and whom Christ treats with his best wine, his Gospel; and which is designed for them, their pleasure, profit, comfort, and establishment: causing the lips of those that are asleep to speak ; either such who are in the dead sleep of sin; who, when the Gospel comes with power, are quickened by it; and it produces in them humble confessions of sin; causes them to speak in praise of Christ, and his grace, and of the salvation which he has procured for lost sinners; it brings them to Zion, to declare what great things God has done for them: or else drowsy professors, in lifeless frames, and much gone back in religion; who, when aroused and quickened by the Gospel, and brought out of their lethargy, are ready to acknowledge their backslidings with shame; to speak meanly and modestly of themselves, and very highly of Christ and his grace, who has healed their backslidings, and still loves them freely; none more ready to exalt and magnify Christ, and speak in praise of what he has done for them. Some render the words, “causing the lips of ancient men to speak” f457 ; whose senses are not so quick, nor they so full of talk, as in their youthful days: wherefore this serves to commend this wine; that it should have such an effect as to invigorate ancient men, and give them a juvenile warmth and sprightliness, and make them loquacious, which is one effect of wine, when freely drunk f458 ; and softens the moroseness of ancient men f459 : wine is even said to make an ancient man dance f460 .
Matthew Henry Commentary
- The graces of the church. (Song 7:1-9) The delight of the church in Christ. (Song 7:10-13)
Song 7:1-9 The similitudes here are different from what they wer before, and in the original refer to glorious and splendid clothing Such honour have all his saints; and having put on Christ, they ar distinguished by their beautiful and glorious apparel. They adorn the doctrine of God their Saviour in all things. Consistent believer honour Christ, recommend the gospel, and convince and awaken sinners The church resembles the stately and spreading palm; while her love for Christ, and the obedience resulting therefrom, are precious fruit of the true Vine. The King is held in the galleries. Christ takes deligh in the assemblies and ordinances of his people; and admires the frui of his grace in them. When applied to the church and to each faithfu Christian, all this denotes that beauty of holiness, in which the shall be presented to their heavenly Bridegroom.
Song 7:10-13 The church, the believing soul, triumphs in its relatio to Christ, and interest in him. She humbly desires communion with him Let us walk together, that I may receive counsel, instruction, an comfort from thee; and may make known my wants and my grievances to thee, with freedom, and without interruption. Communion with Christ i what all that are made holy earnestly breathe after. And those wh would converse with Christ, must go forth from the world. Wherever we are, we may keep up communion with God. Nor should we go where we cannot in faith ask him to go with us. Those who would go abroad with Christ, must begin early in the morning of their days; must begin ever day with him, seek him early, seek him diligently. A gracious soul can reconcile itself to the poorest places, if it may have communion with God in them; but the most delightful fields will not satisfy, unles the Beloved is there. Let us not think to be satisfied with any earthl object. Our own souls are our vineyards; they should be planted with useful trees. We should often search whether we are fruitful in righteousness. Christ's presence will make the vine flourish, and the tender grapes appear, as the returning sun revives the gardens. If we can appeal to him, Thou knowest all things, thou knowest that I love thee; if his Spirit witness with our spirit, that our souls prosper, it is enough. And we must beg of him to search and try us, to discover u to ourselves. The fruits and exercises of graces are pleasant to the Lord Jesus. These must be laid up, and always ready; that by ou bringing forth much fruit, he may be glorified. It is all from him therefore it is fit it should be all for him _________________________________________________
Original Hebrew אמרתי559 אעלה5927 בתמר8558 אחזה270 בסנסניו5577 ויהיו1961 נא4994 שׁדיך7699 כאשׁכלות811 הגפן1612 וריח7381 אפך639 כתפוחים׃8598
