Verse 1. Apple-trees. The spouse, submitting to God’s will, is content to suffer. Worthington.—She addresses her beloved, and as he had praised her, under the similitude of a delightful garden, she invites him into it. Calmet.—I, and so forth Christ again approves of her patience, and invites the saints to congratulate with her. Worthington.—He always hears his Church. Matthew 28:20. Mark 11:24. Calmet.—The saints had prayed for Christ’s coming; and, accordingly, (Isaiah 58:9) he takes flesh of the most pure virgin. Saint Athanasius Synop.—Comb. Septuagint “bread.”—Milk. Chal. “white wine.” But ( Calmet.) mile and wine may be taken together. Clem. Pæd. i. 6.—The chaste delights of retired and penitent souls are thus described: ( Calmet.) Dulciores sunt lacrymæ orantium quam gaudia theatrorum. Saint Augustine Ps. cxxviii. “The tears of penitents are the wine of angels, because in them is the odour of life.” Saint Bernard ser. 30.—Inebriated. Not so as to lose reason. Genesis 43:34. Calmet.—Prot. marg. “be drunk with loves.” Bible. Proverbs 5:19 and 7:18. This wine of love, is the blessed Eucharist, which maketh virgins to spring forth, (Zechariah 9:17) and is a foretaste of heaven. Psalms 35:9. It makes us forget the old man, ( Calmet.) and raise the mind to God. S. Cyp. ep. 63.—To this feast Christ invites his disciples. Matthew 26 and 1 Corinthians 11. Menochius.—Myrrh. Implies that they must be mortified. Bible.
Song of Songs
Verse 2. Knocking. The spouse had retired to rest, as her beloved delayed longer than usual. But love is ever on the watch. Calmet.—She wished to meditate, but is called upon to assist others, and excited by Christ’s own example. Worthington.—Dew. Having been out in the evening, preceding this fourth night. This denotes imperfect Christians, who remain, indeed, attached to the head, but are a disgrace to it, by their scandalous lives. Saint Augustine tr. 37 in Jo. Saint Gregory Calmet.—Such was the state of many in the days of Luther, who accordingly joined the first reformers. See Philips’s Life of Card. Pole. p. 364. Bible.—Nights. Anacreon (ode 1.) has something similar. Christ knocks by his inspirations and chastisements, and he is better heard in the night of tribulation. Revelation 3:20. Calmet.—Heretics began to blaspheme Christ, after the Church had only enjoyed a short peace, ( Menochius.) after the ten persecutions.
Song of Songs
Verse 3. Garment. By this is designated the tunic, which was undermost. Bible.—Feet. People in that climate had their feet bare in the house, and even on journies only wore sandals: so that frequent washing was requisite. Genesis 18:4 and 1 Timothy 5:10. These excuses were vain, and Christ would not regard them. Matthew 25:1. Lu. 12:35. Theod. Calmet.—The care of souls brings on many external occupations, which contemplative men would decline. Saint Gregory Menochius.
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Verse 4. Touch. Of me, (Cassiod.) or rather of the door or window. I was grieved that I had made him wait so long. Calmet.—Hebrew “were moved for him.” Prot. marg. “or (as some read) in me.” Pagnin prefers this; Septuagint and Mont. the former explanation of halaiv. Bible.—Grace moves us to begin and prosecute good works. Saint Gregory Nyssen. Theod.—Christ gives it more abundantly, to make the champions of the Church contend with adversity. Menochius.
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Verse 5. Arose. The Church employs herself in active life, still retaining a desire to return to contemplation. verse 8. Worthington.
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Verse 8. Love. She seems insensible to the insults received. Calmet.—The Church prays to the saints on earth, and in heaven. Menochius.
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Verse 10. Ruddy. Or shining. Et color in niveo corpore purpureus. The divine and human nature, or the conception and sufferings of Christ are thus described. Calmet.—The spouse gives this admirable description of her beloved. Bible.
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Verse 11. Gold. God is the head of Christ, (1 Corinthians 11:3) and is most pure. N.—The guards of Solomon were powdered with gold dust. Jos. Ant.—Branches. Elatæ, or fruits of the male palm-tree. Theod. Plin. xiii. 4.
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Verse 13. Set by. Prot. “as sweet flowers.”—Choice. Lit. “the first.” verse 5. Bible.—The modesty and words of Christ excited admiration. 1 Peter 2:21. John 7:46. Calmet.—He exhorted sinners to repent, and rebuked the obstinate. Menochius.
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Verse 14. Hyacinths. Or purple veins. Calmet.—Prot. “hands are as gold rings set with the beryl.” Hebrew “full of Tharsis,” ( Bible.) or precious stones, ( Menochius.) from that country, (Exodus 28) with which his rings were ornamented. Calmet.—Sapphires. His belt or garment is thus ornamented. Sanchez.—The works of Christ proceeded from his infinite charity for mankind, whose salvation he greatly desired, (Mar. 7:37 and 1 Corinthians 15:22 and 1 Timothy 2:4) so that none can perish but by their own fault. Calmet.
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Verse 16. Lovely. Hebrew and Septuagint “desires.” Menochius.—The beauty of Christ is chiefly interior; and all must aim at this perfection, who would be his spouses. Psalms 44:3. Calmet.
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Verse 17. Seek. The fervent resolve to seek Christ, wherever he may be. Worthington.—His praises excite many to love him. Menochius.