Verse 14. Make haste, my beloved - These appear to be the words of the bride giving permission, but entreating him to speed his return. What these mountains of spices were, we cannot particularly tell; but they must have been thus named from their producing the trees on which the spices grew.
They might have been the same as the mountains of Bether, chap. ii. 17, or the mountains of myrrh, chap. iv. 6; where see the notes.
Thus ends this most singular book; the oldest pastoral in the world, if it may be ranked among this species of writing. To whatever species of composition it belongs, it is, beyond all controversy, the finest, the most sublime for imagery and colouring, that ever came from the pen of man.
In the preceding notes I have carefully avoided all attempts to spiritualize this song. My reasons I have already given in the introduction; and in the course of writing these short notes I have seen no cause to alter my opinion. Any man may allegorize it; that is an easy matter; for when he once considers it to be an allegory, his own creed will furnish him with enough to say, write, or preach, upon the spiritual meanings of every part, which will be an exhibition of his own confession of faith! But when he has finished his work, the question will recur, By what authority do you give it these meanings? And till the day of judgment none shall be able to say, "I have the authority of God for my exposition."
MASORETIC NOTES
Number of verses in Canticles, 117. Middle verse chap. iv. 14.
Ver. 14. Make haste, my beloved , etc.] These are the words of the church, to Christ, calling him her “beloved”; a title often used in this Song, (see Song of Solomon 1:13,14); and is continued to the last; for Christ was still the object of her love; and she had now a comfortable sense of her interest in him, and claimed it; and makes use of this title, not only to distinguish him from others, but to obtain her request the more easily, that he would “make haste”, and come; which may either be understood of his speedy coming in the flesh, and appearing on Mount Zion and in the temple, where the spicy and sweet smelling incense was offered; or of his spiritual presence, in his house and upon the mountains, and in all the assemblies of Zion, where the prayers and praises of the saints go up to God, as sweet odours, perfumed with the incense of Christ’s mediation: or the petition may respect the first spread of the Gospel throughout the Gentile world; which, being like a box of ointment opened, would diffuse the savour of the knowledge of Christ everywhere: or rather it expresses the breathings of the New Testament church after the second coming of Christ, being the last petition of the church in this Song; and with which she closes it, as John does the Revelation, and with it the whole canon of Scripture in like manner, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus”, that is, come quickly: and when the church says “make haste”, she does not desire Christ to come before the appointed time, nor will he; his coming may and will be hastened indeed, yet in his own time; but it shows her eager and earnest desire after it, being as it were impatient for it. The word, may be rendered, “flee away” f519 ; not that the church desired Christ to depart from her; she valued his presence at another rate; but she being weary of a sinful troublesome world, and breathing after everlastingrest in another, desires him to remove from hence, and take her with him to heaven, where she might enjoy his presence without any disturbance; and be thou like to a roe, or to a young hart upon the mountains of spices ; where spices and aromatic plants grow, as on Lebanon: of Christ, compared to a roe or a young hart, (see Gill on “ Song of Solomon 2:9”). These creatures being remarkable for their swiftness in running upon mountains and other high places, (see Habakkuk 3:19); the church desires that Christ would be as swift in his motion as those creatures, and come quickly and speedily, and take her with him to the “spicy mountains”, the heavenly state, and all the joys and glories of it; and there have everlasting and uninterrupted communion with Christ; be out of the reach of every troublesome enemy; be in the utmost safety and security; and in the possession of pleasures that will never end. This state may be expressed by “mountains of spices”: because of the height and sublimity of it; and because of the permanency and everlasting duration of it; and because of its delightfulness and pleasantness; where will be fulness of joy, and pleasures for evermore.
Song 8:1-4 The church wishes for the constant intimacy and freedom with the LordJesus that a sister has with a brother. That they might be a his brethren, which they are, when by grace they are made partakers of a Divinenature. Christ is become as our Brother; wherever we find him let us be ready to own our relation to him, and affection for him, an not fear being despised for it. Is there in us an ardent wish to serv Christ more and better? What then have we laid up in store, to show ou affection to the Beloved of our souls? What fruit unto holiness? The church charges all her children that they never provokeChrist to withdraw. We should reason with ourselves, when tempted to do what would grieve the Spirit.
Song 8:8-12 The church pleads for the Gentiles, who then had not the word of God, nor the means of grace. Those who are brought to Chris themselves, should contrive what they may do to help others to him Babes in Christ are always seen among Christians, and the welfare of their weakbrethren is an object of continual prayer with the stronge believers. If the beginning of this work were likened to a wall buil upon Him the precious Foundation and Corner-stone, then the Gentil church would become as a palace for the great King, built of soli silver. If the first preaching of the gospel were as the making a doo through the wall of partition, that door should be lasting, as case with boards of durable cedar. She shall be carefully and effectuall protected, enclosed so as to receive no damage. The church is full of care for those yet uncalled. Christ says, I will do all that is necessary to be done for them. See with what satisfaction we shoul look back upon the times and seasons, when we were in his eyes as thos that find favour. Our hearts are our vineyards, which we must keep with all diligence. To Christ, and to his praise, all our fruits must be dedicated. All that work for Christ, work for themselves, and shall be unspeakable gainers by it.
Song 8:13,14 These verses close the conference between Christ and his church. He first addresses her as dwelling in the gardens, the assemblies and ordinances of his saints. He exhorts her to be constan and frequent in prayers, supplications, and praises, in which he delights. She replies, craving his speedy return to take her to be wholly with Him. The heavens, those high mountains of sweet spices must contain Christ, till the times come, when every eye shall see him in all the glory of the better world. True believers as they ar looking for, so they are hastening to the coming of that day of the Lord. Let every Christian endeavour to perform the duties of his station, that men may see his good works, and glorify his heavenl Father. Continuing earnest in prayer for what we want, ou thanksgivings will abound, and our joy will be full; our souls will be enriched, and our labours prospered. We shall be enabled to loo forward to death and judgment without fear. Even so, come, LordJesus __________________________________________________________________
