His countenance (cheeks) is beautiful and sweet (a bed of spices, sweetly fragrant herbs) through His suffering of people’s smiting and despising (Isa. 50:6; Matt. 27:30), and His mouth is pure, releasing sweet words of grace (Psa. 45:2; Luke 4:22) based on His redemption (myrrh).
His works (hands) are full of the divine binding power (tubes of gold) and are stable (set with beryl — Ezek. 1:16; Dan. 10:6) for the carrying out of God’s will. His inward parts (Phil. 1:8 — belly, the same word as for “inner parts” in v. 4) are full of deep, tender feelings wrought through His sufferings (ivory work, which requires suffering and even death) under a clear heavenly vision (sapphire — Exo. 24:10).
His standing (legs) and supporting strength (pillars) is of the righteous standing (white marble) based upon God’s divine nature (bases of gold), and His expression (appearance) shows that He is a person who has ascended into heaven (Lebanon) and whose excellency transcends all others (excellent as the cedars).
His expression of sentiment (eyes — cf. note 2 Cor. 2:103) is single and pure (like doves), flowing like the river of life (streams of water), distinct and clear (bathed in milk) and in proper order (fitly set).
His headship is of God (gold — 1 Cor. 11:3), and His submission to God (locks — cf. Phil. 2:5-8; 1 Cor. 15:28) is flourishing (wavy) and strong (black — cf. note Rev. 1:141a).
Lit., Set as a banner.
In giving her impression of her Beloved, appraising Him with many excellent and detailed expressions, the lover says that He is pure yet full of life and power (dazzling white yet ruddy), and He is distinguished as an uplifted banner (see note S.S. 5:102) against the enemy (Isa. 59:19) and for the drawing of sinners (John 12:32).
This indicates that because her sense of failure is so deep, the seeker feels that even the younger believers (daughters of Jerusalem) can help her. She charges them to tell her Beloved that she is sick with love, considering that her Beloved might have some concern about her love for Him.
The lover’s action in opening to Christ shows Him her appreciation of His sweet death (myrrh).
Her Beloved shows His pierced hand through her narrow opening so that her inner parts are moved to yearn for Him. Here Christ’s pierced hand reminds her that He was crucified for her.
Since she has put off the former manner of life of her old man (garment) through the dealing of the cross (Eph. 4:22; Col. 3:9), how could she put it on again? This would require her Beloved to repeat His suffering in His crucifixion. Since she has been cleansed (washed) by His redeeming blood (1 John 1:7), how could she defile herself? This would require her Beloved to repeat His suffering of death. These are her reasons for refusing the Beloved’s call.
In S.S. 5:2-16; 6:1-3 the lover of Christ is called more strongly to live within the veil through the experience of the cross after resurrection. Even after the experience of living in ascension as the new creation in resurrection (3:6—5:1), we still need the experience of the cross, because no matter how much we are in ascension, i.e., in our spirit, we are still in the old creation and we still have our flesh. Thus, for us to enter into the Holy of Holies in the heavenly tabernacle (Heb. 8:2; 9:11-12, 24), the veil, signifying our flesh (Heb. 10:19-20), must be split through the stronger experience of the cross (Matt. 27:51a). See note S.S. 6:41.
Here the lover realizes that her old man, the outward man, was crucified (I sleep — Rom. 6:6) and her new man, the inward man, is living (my heart is awake — 2 Cor. 4:16). She hears her Beloved knocking and asking her to open to Him as He reminds her of His suffering at Gethsemane on the night before His crucifixion (His head drenched with dew and His locks with the drops of night).
Here, the Bridegroom, Christ, the Son in the Divine Trinity, answers and invites His beloved “friends,” God the Father and God the Spirit, to enjoy His garden, His lover, with Him. Furthermore, He has gone down to the beds of spices to feed in the gardens (the lover and other lovers of Christ) and gather lilies (S.S. 6:2).
See note S.S. 4:92.
