Song of Songs 4:3

Verse 3. Scarlet. Preachers of the gospel (Saint Gregory) must speak with elegance, and have their lips dyed with the blood of Christ, and purified with coals from the altar. Calmet.—So, if we may use the words of a living critic, who is sometimes accurate, “a commentator ought to study at the foot of his crucifix, and write with ink drawn from the heart of Jesus.” Bible.—Pomegranate. Plump and ruddy, representing the purity of the Church, and of virgins, who are its “flower,” (S. Cyp.) and bring forth fruits of good works. Saint Augustine de Virg.