I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine; he grazes among the lilies.
Here the bride says where she stands with her Beloved. She has said the same words before, but in the reverse order — and that reversal is where the commentators begin.
The Reversed Word Order
Earlier in the Song she said, "My beloved is mine, and I am his" (2:16). Here she reverses the two halves. One writer reads that change as growth.
Andrew Miller"I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine; he feeds among the lilies." This is a high note, but easily taken by faith. It is the key note of a soul that has lost sight of self. "I am my beloved's." It is the very opposite of a soul taken up with itself. It is true heart-occupation with Christ. It is entering into His thoughts, His love, His grace, His delights. It is not being filled and taken up with its own thoughts, its own feelings, its own faith, or its own services. … In 2:16, she says, "My beloved is mine and I am his." There, it is the joy of possessing Christ; He is mine. Here it is the deeper joy of belonging to Christ; I am His. Both are blessed, but the latter marks divine progress.
Quieter, But Deeper
The same claim is quieter now. She has learned more about herself, and the tone of her words shows it.
G. V. Wigram"I am my Beloved's, and my Beloved is mine" — this is a more sober way of speaking. She had learnt a good deal more of what a poor thing she was, how changeable her will was, and how little her own grip on Him was worth. But, just as she was, He had not turned away from her. She was His, and she loved Him. He was her Beloved, and if she was His, then He was hers too. It is a much more sober statement. There is much less feeling and experience in it, but more depth of faith and a clearer sense of how things really stand.
How She Got Back
This verse closes a recovery. She had lost the sense of His presence, and dwelling on His beauty brought it back.
Edward DennettEvery doubt is gone, and she adds, with joy beyond words, "I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine: he feeds among the lilies." Note carefully this divine way of restoration. Whenever souls have fallen into a cold, lifeless condition, whenever they complain of a lack of spiritual energy, let them occupy themselves with the varied perfections and graces of Christ as revealed in the Word. While they think about what He is to them, let them also tell others of His beauty and attraction. They will find their hearts soon glowing with the returning fire of affection, and they will be happy again in the sense of His presence and love.
Where He Feeds
The last clause says He grazes among the lilies. Older translations read "he feeds," the wording the writers below use. One writer takes the garden and its lilies as His own people.
Hamilton Smith"My Beloved," she says, "is gone down into his garden," a fragrant spot where he can feed and gather lilies. No one in this world ministers to the heart of Christ except "His own who are in the world." All His delight is with them. There only He finds the bed of spices. The Lord's garden is made up of His loved ones. The restored soul knows well that Christ is found with His people.
The picture behind the phrase is a shepherd feeding his flock in good pasture.
The Early Church History Series on CanticlesHow rich and welcoming are those pastures where all speaks of contentment, peace, joy and rest. How happy are the sheep that keep close to their shepherd and always feed under His eye in the green pastures of His Word.
Still Not the Summit
High as this verse is, the Song takes one more step. That step moves the focus off her side.
J. A. TrenchLater on in the Song (6:3) we find that she can put His interests first. Now, she says, "I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine." The first thought is His possession of her. But there is still room for thoughts of what she has. But in 7:10 we find she has forgotten herself in the far higher thought of His interest in her. She has lost herself in His love, and if she adds anything to "I am my beloved's," it is only to speak again of what she knows of His thoughts: "His desire is towards me."
Summary
- Order — The same two clauses as 2:16, reversed. Belonging comes first now; possessing comes second.
- Cost — She learned the deeper note through failure and self-judgment. It carries less excitement and more faith.
- Cure — Break coldness as she did: dwell on Christ's perfections and speak them out to others.
- Place — He grazes among the lilies, and the garden is His own people. That is where a restored heart goes to find Him.
- Beyond — This is not the last word. In 7:10 she drops her claim and rests on His desire toward her.