SEV Biblia, Chapter 1:5
Morena soy, oh hijas de Jerusalén, mas codiciable; como las cabañas de Cedar, como las tiendas de Salomón.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Song of Solomon 1:5
Verse 5. I am black, but comely - This is literally true of many of the Asiatic women; though black or brown, they are exquisitely beautiful. Many of the Egyptian women are still fine; but their complexion is much inferior to that of the Palestine females. Though black or swarthy in my complexion, yet am I comely- well proportioned in every part.
As the tents of Kedar - I am tawny, like the tents of the Arabians, and like the pavilions of Solomon, probably covered by a kind of tanned cloth.
The daughters of Jerusalem are said to represent the synagogue; the bride, the Church of Christ. It is easy to find spiritual meanings: every creed will furnish them.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 5. I [am] black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem , etc.] The church having obtained of Christ, what she wanted, turns to the daughters of Jerusalem, the same perhaps with the virgins her companions; they seem to be young converts, it may be not yet members of the visible church, but had a great respect for the church, and she for them; and who, though they had but a small knowledge of Christ her beloved, yet were desirous of knowing more of him, and seeking him with her; (see Song of Solomon 3:9-11 Song of Solomon 5:8,9 Song of Solomon 6:1); to these she gives this character of herself, that she was “black” in herself f22 , through original sin and actual transgression; in her own eyes, through indwelling sin, and many infirmities, spots, and blemishes in life; and in the eyes of the world, through afflictions, persecutions, and reproaches, she was attended with, and so with them the offscouring of all things: “but comely” in the eyes of Christ, called by him his “fair one”, the “fairest among women”, and even “all fair”, ( Song of Solomon 1:8,15 Song of Solomon 4:7); through his comeliness put upon her, the imputation of his righteousness to her; through the beauties of holiness upon her; through, the sanctifying influences of his Spirit; and, being in a church state, walking in Gospel order, attending to the commands and ordinances of Christ; and so beautiful as Tirzah, and comely as Jerusalem, ( Song of Solomon 6:4); and upon all accounts “desirable” to Christ, and to his people, as the word may be rendered; as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon : each of which are thought by some to refer to both parts of her character; and suppose that the tents of Kedar, though they might look poor on the outside, were full of wealth and riches within; and Solomon’s curtains, or hangings, might have an outward covering not so rich and beautiful as they were on the inside; but rather the blackness of the church is designed by the one, and her comeliness by the other. With respect to her blackness, she compares herself to the tents of Kedar, to the inhabitants of those tents, who were of a black or swarthy complexion; Kedar signifies the name of a man whose posterity these were, that dwelt in tents, even of Kedar the second son of Ishmael, and who inhabited some part of Arabia; and, their employment being to feed cattle, moved from place to place for the sake of pasturage, and so dwelt in tents, which they could easily remove, and hence were called Scenites; and the tents they dwelt in being made of hair cloth, and continually exposed to the sun and rain, were very black, and yet a number of them made a fine appearance, as Dr. Shaw relates f24 ; though black, yet were beautiful to behold; he says, “the Bedouin Arabs at this day live in tents called “hhymes”, from the shelter which they afford the inhabitants; and “beet el shaar”, that is, “houses of hair”, from the materials or webs of goats’ hair whereof they were made; and are such hair cloth as our coal sacks are made of; the colour of them is beautifully alluded to, ( Song of Solomon 1:5); for nothing certainly can afford (says he) a more delightful prospect than a large extensive plain, whether in its verdure, or even scorched up by the sunbeams, than, these movable habitations pitched in circles upon them; of which (he says) he has seen from three to three hundred.”
And for her comeliness the church compares herself either to the curtains of Solomon, about his bed, or to the rich hangings of tapestry in the several apartments of his palace, which no doubt were very costly and magnificent.
Matthew Henry Commentary
The title. (Song 1:1) The church confesses her deformity. (Song 1:2-6 The church beseeches Christ to lead her to the resting-place of his people. (Song 1:7,8) Christ's commendation of the church, Her estee for Him. (Song 1:9-17)
Song 1:1 This is "the Song of songs," excellent above any others, for it is wholly taken up with describing the excellences of Christ, an the love between him and his redeemed people.
Song 1:2-6 The church, or rather the believer, speaks here in the character of the spouse of the King, the Messiah. The kisses of his mouth mean those assurances of pardon with which believers ar favoured, filling them with peace and joy in believing, and causin them to abound in hope by the power of the Holy Ghost. Gracious soul take most pleasure in loving Christ, and being loved of him. Christ' love is more valuable and desirable than the best this world can give The name of Christ is not now like ointment sealed up, but lik ointment poured forth; which denotes the freeness and fulness of the setting forth of his grace by the gospel. Those whom he has redeeme and sanctified, are here the virgins that love Jesus Christ, and follo him whithersoever he goes, Rev. 14:4. They entreat him to draw them by the quickening influences of his Spirit. The more clearly we discer Christ's glory, the more sensible shall we be that we are unable to follow him suitably, and at the same time be more desirous of doing it Observe the speedy answer given to this prayer. Those who wait a Wisdom's gate, shall be led into truth and comfort. And being brough into this chamber, our griefs will vanish. We have no joy but in Christ, and for this we are indebted to him. We will remember to giv thanks for thy love; it shall make more lasting impressions upon u than any thing in this world. Nor is any love acceptable to Christ but love in sincerity, Eph. 6:24. The daughters of Jerusalem may mea professors not yet established in the faith. The spouse was black a the tents of the wandering Arabs, but comely as the magnificen curtains in the palaces of Solomon. The believer is black, as being defiled and sinful by nature, but comely, as renewed by Divine grace to the holy image of God. He is still deformed with remains of sin, but comely as accepted in Christ. He is often base and contemptible in the esteem of men, but excellent in the sight of God. The blackness wa owing to the hard usage that had been suffered. The children of the church, her mother, but not of God, her Father, were angry with her They had made her suffer hardships, which caused her to neglect the care of her soul. Thus, under the emblem of a poor female, made the chosen partner of a prince, we are led to consider the circumstances in which the love of Christ is accustomed to find its objects. They wer wretched slaves of sin, in toil, or in sorrow, weary and heavy laden but how great the change when the love of Christ is manifested to their souls!
Song 1:7,8 Observe the title given to Christ, O Thou whom my sou loveth. Those that do so, may come to him boldly, and may humbly plea with him. Is it with God's people a noon-time of outward troubles inward conflicts? Christ has rest for them. Those whose souls love Jesus Christ, earnestly desire to share in the privileges of his flock Turning aside from Christ is what gracious souls dread more tha anything else. God is ready to answer prayer. Follow the track, ask for the good old way, observe the footsteps of the flock, look what ha been the practice of godly people. Sit under the direction of goo ministers; beside the tents of the under shepherds. Bring thy charg with thee, they shall all be welcome. It will be the earnest desire an prayer of the Christian, that God would so direct him in his worldl business, and so order his situation and employment, that he may have his Lord and Saviour always before him.
Song 1:9-17 The Bridegroom gives high praises of his spouse. In the sight of Christ believers are the excellent of the earth, fitted to be instruments for promoting his glory. The spiritual gifts and grace which Christ bestows on every true believer, are described by the ornaments then in use, Song 1:10,11. The graces of the saints are many but there is dependence upon each other. He who is the Author, will be the Finisher of the good work. The grace received from Christ' fulness, springs forth into lively exercises of faith, affection, an gratitude. Yet Christ, not his gifts, is most precious to them. The word translated "camphire," signifies "atonement or propitiation. Christ is dear to all believers, because he is the propitiation for their sins. No pretender must have his place in the soul. They resolve to lodge him in their hearts all the night; during the continuance of the troubles of life. Christ takes delight in the good work which his grace has wrought on the souls of believers. This should engage all wh are made holy, to be very thankful for that grace which has made thos fair, who by nature were deformed. The spouse (the believer) has humble, modest eye, discovering simplicity and godly sincerity; eye enlightened and guided by the Holy Spirit, that blessed Dove. The church expresses her value for Christ. Thou art the great Original, but I am but a faint and imperfect copy. Many are fair to look at, ye their temper renders them unpleasant: but Christ is fair, yet pleasant The believer, Song 1:16, speaks with praise of those holy ordinances in which true believers have fellowship with Christ. Whether the believe is in the courts of the Lord, or in retirement; whether following his daily labours, or confined on the bed of sickness, or even in dungeon, a sense of the Divine presence will turn the place into paradise. Thus the soul, daily having fellowship with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, enjoys a lively hope of an incorruptible undefiled, and unfading inheritance above __________________________________________________________________
Original Hebrew
שׁחורה 7838 אני 589 ונאוה 5000 בנות 1323 ירושׁלם 3389 כאהלי 168 קדר 6938 כיריעות 3407 שׁלמה׃ 8010
