I was a wall, and my breasts were like towers; then I was in his eyes as one who finds peace.
Her brothers have just asked what to do for their "little sister," who is not yet grown, and the bride answers by describing herself instead. Two questions follow: what do the wall and the towers stand for, and why does her growth show in the way her beloved sees her?
Where the Verse Sits
Chapter 8 sums up the whole book.
J. N. DarbySong of Solomon 8 stands by itself, and it seems to me to go back over the principles of the whole book… Prophecy announces the full satisfaction of every desire of the remnant, and marks out the path of their affections. But this picture is drawn to encourage those who are not yet enjoying it, and it expresses the longing to see it fulfilled.
So her confidence here is held out to encourage people still on the road.
The Little Sister and the Grown Bride
Commentators read the two sisters as two parts of Israel. The little sister is Ephraim — the ten tribes carried off long before Christ came. The bride who speaks here is Judah, who has been through far more.
Andrew MillerTheir more favoured sister Judah teaches them, builds them up, and settles them in the doctrine of Christ… She is strong in the Lord, richly supplied, and in full favour with the King. God's Israel is restored! There are twelve tribes united in the Israel of God, not ten and two divided.
What separates the two sisters is what each has passed through.
J. N. DarbyThe "little sister" seems to me to be Ephraim, who never had the same growth that Judah received when Christ was revealed, and through all that happened after the ten tribes were carried away. All the moral affections of Judah were formed by their relationship to Christ, by His rejection, and by the feelings this produced when the Spirit made them felt. Ephraim has gone through none of this, but will come into the enjoyment of its results. Judah, when made complete, will enjoy the full favour of the Messiah; their affections were formed for Him by all their hearts went through about Him.
Wall and Towers
She claims strength — but the strength is not self-made, and the towers serve others too.
Hamilton SmithBy grace the bride can call herself a wall. Established in her relationships to the Bridegroom, her affection is the secret of her strength and the measure of her witness before others. A tower is a place of security as well as a landmark to others.
Read shortly, the picture is of someone fully grown, standing in contrast to the sister who still needs building up.
Morrish Bible DictionaryIf the little sister be a wall, she shall be built upon; if a door, she shall be enclosed; but the bride is a wall, and is grown to maturity.
Found Peace in His Eyes
Translations differ on the last line. Some read it "one who found favour." Others, including the ESV, read "one who finds peace." Peace is what love brings when the heart has come to rest in the right place.
Hamilton SmithThe believer whose affections are drawn out to Christ is truly the one who has found peace in the eyes of Christ. Mary's affections brought her to rest at the feet of Christ. In His sight she had found peace — a peace He will not let anyone disturb. "Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her."
Maturity Shown by Care for the Weak
Growth like this takes time. It shows in how she treats those still growing.
The Song of SolomonThe little sister who had no breasts shows someone who has not yet reached maturity. She stands for Christians who are saved but have not yet grown spiritually. The bride, by contrast, is well developed, and this is what makes her so beautiful in the eyes of her beloved. But no one reaches this spiritual growth in a day. She passed through many bitter experiences. Through them she learned to know herself better — her own failures and weaknesses — and to know more and more the faithfulness and depth of His love… Spiritual people never look down on those who are undeveloped. They long to see them grow to fuller maturity, and they are ready to give time and work to that end.
Assurance about herself and care for the weak sit side by side.
J. G. BellettShe takes account of the weakness of the weak. She wants them to have strength and to be built up in the fuller measure of Christ. All the time she owns them as fully one with her in Him. And she rejoices in her own certain, happy assurance… and so she knows her Lord's favour towards her, and His delight in her.
Summary
- Grace first. She can call herself a wall only by grace — the strength is given, not achieved.
- Grace grows slowly. Maturity came through many bitter experiences. Through them she learned her own weakness and the depth of His love.
- Grace makes a landmark. A tower is safety for her and a visible marker for others; her affection becomes the measure of her witness.
- Grace reaches the weak. The grown sister does not despise the undeveloped one but spends time and labour to see her built up.
- Grace ends in peace. Judah's heart was formed by all she went through with Christ. She stands at last in the King's full favour, with the twelve tribes united, not divided.