Song Of Songs
Overview – December 2015 – Grace & Truth Magazine
Song Of Songs
“While the king is at his table, my spikenard sends forth its fragrance.” —Song Of Solomon 1:12 NKJV
Written by Solomon like Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, this poetic book deals with the personal communion of the soul with the Lord Jesus. Being highly figurative in its language, it must be interpreted with godly care. The above verse finds its precious counterpart in the anointing of the Lord Jesus by Mary of Bethany with her precious ointment of spikenard, the symbol of fragrant worship that delights the nostrils of God (Jn. 12:1-3).
The deep delight of the bride in contemplating the beauties and glories of the Bridegroom is a refreshing picture of Israel’s eventual joy in the Lord when gathered back to their land and restored into permanent favor in the millennial age. Certainly this has a spiritual application now to the Church, the heavenly bride of Christ. However, the book does not teach any fully settled, eternal relationship of the Church with Christ, as does Ephesians. Therefore, its help for us is mainly in connection with experiences in regard to personal communion with the Lord.
The Bridegroom’s delight in the bride is surely no less precious, and it is more striking in view of her many imperfections in contrast to her Beloved. It is divine grace that imparts to her such beauty as rejoices His heart. Song of Songs is a book for quiet, diligent meditation in the secret of the Lord’s presence.
Soon deepest joy our inmost souls shall fill,Soon Thine own joy be more exceeding still;Soon we shall see Thee, Thine enraptured bride,Soon, to Thy great delight, be at Thy side.
By Leslie M. Grant
This column is taken from the book: “The Bible, Its 66 Books In Brief.”
It is available for purchase from Believers Bookshelf USA.