Song of Solomon 7:2

It is not easy to say whether the first five verses of this chapter are addressed to the bride by the daughters of Jerusalem, or by the Bridegroom. In chapter 4 He begins with the head. And in chapter 5, where the bride gives a full-length portrait of her Beloved, she also begins with the head. But here it is different: the description begins with the feet and ends with the head. She appears to be looked at here from earth's point of view, as if the daughters of Jerusalem were first attracted by her walk.

The daughters of Jerusalem describe the bride in language similar to that used by the Bridegroom. He views her from above, so He begins with her eyes. The daughters view her from earth, so they speak first of her footsteps and end with the hair of her head. By nature, "from the sole of the foot even to the head there is no soundness in it, but wounds and bruises and festering sores." Yet seen as of spiritual and heavenly origin — as a prince's daughter — we are all fair from the sole of the foot to the head.

The part of the body spoken of here is where the bowels are located. In Scripture this expresses deep and tender affection, compassion and pity (see Genesis 43:30; Jeremiah 31:20; Philippians 1:8; 1 John 3:17). "Wine, which cheers God and man" (Judges 9:13) is often used as the symbol of joy, and a goblet that does not lack mixed wine would signify an unfailing source of joy. Wheat would speak of essential food, and a heap of wheat of an abundance of this food; but Christ is that food which sustains the soul. He is the grain of wheat that fell into the ground and died (John 12:24). He is also the Bread of Life (John 6:32-35, 48-51). The lilies speak of purity and lowly fragrant grace.

"A round goblet which does not lack wine … a heap of wheat set about with lilies" denote an abundance of what cheers and sustains. And yet grace and humility surround them. A fence of lilies forbids no one to come and share in the King's generosity. It invites them, in the words of wisdom: "Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine that I have mixed." Such will be the fullness and character of earthly blessing under the peaceful reign of the true King Solomon. What an idea these beautiful and significant symbols give of millennial blessing! An overflowing abundance with true lowliness of mind.

What a joy it will be to the Lord to behold Israel as the peaceful Shulamite (see 6:13), the bride of the great King, at the head of the nations! She will be a constant source of joy to the whole earth, as she, moved with deep compassion, lowly and pure as the lilies, ministers Christ abundantly to all nations.

Formerly her words had borne bright witness to the King, but now she herself is a witness to all the comeliness the King had put upon her. It is the witness of life rather than lips, of ways rather than words. She had been with the Beloved in the garden of spices, and she comes out from His presence with the beauty of the King upon her.