Song of Solomon 7:7

We may take the "palm tree" and the "clusters" as the emblems of victory and maturity — of uprightness and fruitfulness. Look at its natural form. Its stem is slim but graceful, straight and tall — the very type of uprightness. "They are upright as the palm tree." Press it down, or tie it down for a time, and it still refuses to grow crooked. It soon recovers its upright form. This is a wonderful illustration of the long pressure that has been on the Jews, and of the way they will yet lift up their heads.

"This your stature is like a palm tree, and your breasts like clusters of grapes" — or "like its clusters," as the Revised Version has it, that is, the clusters of the palm tree. The words "of grapes" are printed in italics in the Authorized Version, which shows that the translators added them. The clusters here are more than likely clusters of dates. The fruit of the date palm grows in clusters at the top of the tree.

So many Christians are eating the bitter fruit of defeat... It may be they have never learned the real secret of victory. The date palm is not only the symbol of victory but also reveals its secret. The date palm will only flourish near the water of an oasis in the desert. There it has constant sunshine and a supply of water that never fails. This is the twofold secret of victory. We must always stay in the sunshine of the Lord's presence. We must keep drinking the water of His Word, so that we have victory in our lives.

We also have frequent reference in Scripture to the branches of the palm tree as the emblem of victory. They were the sign of the feast of tabernacles to the Jews, a time of great rejoicing in Israel... The countless multitude which John saw in vision, before the throne and before the Lamb, were "clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands."

The fair spouse of the king has now reached her moral maturity. Blessed truth! Grace has triumphed! She is perfect in His sight — the delight of His heart — the reflection of Himself... She waves her palm of victory — her joy is full. Lifted up and upright as the palm, with its rich crown, and living waters welling up and flowing out from its roots. Lowly, weak and dependent, like the feeble vine, yet clinging to the Mighty One and bearing much fruit to His glory... "For when I am weak, then am I strong."

The daughters of Jerusalem can look at the bride as someone to admire. But the King does more than admire. He makes the bride His own, and finds in her a source of personal delight... Seeing her in all her beauty, He compares her to the graceful, tall palm. Seeing her as an object of delight, He compares her to its clusters. The King takes and enjoys the delights that others only gaze at and admire... The world will admire and praise, but He will delight in His earthly bride.

The Lord is working in His grace through the various gifts He has given to His church. His aim is that we all "attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:13). There is no limit to the Christian's growth, and no measure lower than "the fullness of the stature of Christ."