Here begins a new colloquy between Christ and his church; in which they alternately set forth the excellencies of each other, and express their mutual affection for, and the delight and pleasure they take in each other’s company. Christ seems to begin, in an account of himself and his own excellencies, and of the church in her present state, verses 1, 2. Then she in her turn praises him, and commends him above all others; relates some clear proofs she had of his love to her, and communion with him in his house and ordinances, to such a degree as to overcome her, verses 3-6, and then either he or she gives a charge to the daughters of Jerusalem, not to disturb either the one or the other in their sweet repose, verse 7. Next the church relates how she heard the voice of Christ, and had a sight of him on the hills and mountains at some distance; then more nearly behind her wall, and through the lattices, verses 8, 9, and expresses the very words in which he spake to her, and gave her a call to come away with him; making use of arguments from the season of the year, the signs of which are beautifully described, verses 10-13, and requests that she would come out of her solitude, that he might enjoy her company, whose countenance and voice were so delightful to him; and gives a charge to her and her friends, to seize on such as were hurtful and prejudicial to their mutual property, verses 14, 15, and she closes the chapter with expressing her faith of interest in Christ; and with a petition for his speedy approach to her, and continued presence with her, verses 16, 17.

Verse 1

I am the rose of Sharon; and the lily of the valleys.

Verse 2

As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters.

Verse 3.

As the apple-tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved
among the sons: I sat down under his shadow with great delight,
and his fruit was sweet to my taste.

Verse 4.

He brought me to the banqueting-house, and his banner over me was love.

VERSE 5.

Stay me with flagons, comfort me with apples, for I am sick of love.

Verse 6.

His left hand is under my head, and his right hand doth embrace me.

VERSE 7.

I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes and by the
hinds of the field, that ye stir net up, nor awake my love, till he
please.

Verse 8.

The voice of my beloved! behold!
he cometh leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills.

Verse 9.

My beloved is like a roe, or a young hart: behold he standeth
behind our wall, he looketh forth at the window, shewing himself
through the lattice.

Verse 10.

My beloved spake, and said unto me,
Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.

Verse 11.

For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone.

Verse 12.

The flowers appear on the earth, the time of the singing
of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land.

Verse 13.

The fig-tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the
tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and
come away.

Verse 14.

O my dove! that art in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of
the stairs: let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for
sweet is thy voice, thy countenance is comely.

Verse 15.

Take us the foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vines:
for our vines have tender grapes.

Verse 16.

My beloved is mine, and I am his: he feedeth among the lilies.

Verse 17.

Until the day break, and the shadows flee away: turn, my beloved,
and be thou like a roe, or a young hart, upon the mountains of
Bether.