SEV Biblia, Chapter 1:9
A yegua de los carros de Faraón te he comparado, amiga mía.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Song of Solomon 1:9
Verse 9. I have compared thee-to a company of horses - This may be translated, more literally, "I have compared thee ytool lesusathi, to my mare, in the chariots or courses of Pharaoh;" and so the versions understood it. Mares, in preference to horses, were used both for riding and for chariots in the East. They are much swifter, endure more hardship. and will go longer without food, than either the stallion or the gelding.
There is perhaps no brute creature in the world so beautiful as a fine well-bred horse or mare; and the finest woman in the universe, Helen, has been compared to a horse in a Thessalian chariot, by Theocritus. Idyl. xviii. ver. x18: - 'wde kai crusea 'elena diafainet' en hmin, pieirh, megalh, at' anedramen ogmov aroura, h kapw kuparissov, h armati yessalov ippov.
"The golden Helen, tall and graceful, appears as distinguished among us as the furrow in the field, the cypress in the garden, or the Thessalian horse in the chariot." This passage amply justifies the Hebrew bard, in the simile before us. See Jer. vi. 2.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 9. I have compared thee, O my love , etc.] The church having taken the direction of Christ, had now found him, and was with him; and when for her encouragement and comfort he greets her as his love, an appellation very usual among lovers; and in the chastest sense between husband and wife; the church was Christ’s love, being both the object and subject of it; to whom he had showed love, and whose love was shed abroad in her heart; or “my friend” f43 , another name used among lovers; there is a mutual friendship between Christ and his people; they are Christ’s friends, and he is theirs, ( Song of Solomon 5:1,16). The Septuagint render it “my neighbour”, whom Christ loves as himself; and they dwell near each other; he dwells in them, and they in him, ( John 6:56); and here are compared by him to a company of horses in Pharaoh’s chariots ; or “I have likened thee”, or reckoned thee like f44 ; formed such an image of thee in my mind, with regard to some peculiar excellencies in her which agreed therewith: or to “my mare” f45 , as some translate the word, which ran in one of his chariots, called Pharaoh’s chariot; because perhaps it was made a present of to him by Pharaoh king of Egypt, his father in law, for which he had a particular regard, as Alexander for his Bucephalus; nor is such a comparison of a woman a disagreeable one, since, as Marckius observes, many women have had their names from the horse, because of some celebrated excellency in them f46 ; and Theocritus compares Queen Helena to a Thessalian horse in a chariot; and it is thought he took the hint from this song, as admiring it; so, by others f48 , persons are compared to mares for their beautiful form.
Christ’s church and people be compared to “the horse” for their strength, majesty, and comeliness; they are strong in Christ, and in his grace, and of an undaunted courage in bearing hardships, reproaches, and persecutions for his sake, and in fighting the Lord’s battles; and are stately and majestic, especially a company of them in Gospel order, ( Song of Solomon 6:4); and are very comely and beautiful in their trappings, clothed with the righteousness of Christ, and the graces of his Spirit; and to a “company” of them, a collection of goodly ones, as Egyptian ones, reckoned the best; and those in Pharaoh’s chariot best of all; choice, costly, well fed, and well taken care of; and not wild and loose, but coupled and joined together in a chariot, all drawing one way. Christ’s church and people are a choice and select company, distinguished from others by the grace of God; cost a great price, the blood of Christ; are well fed with the finest of the wheat; and are under the care both of angels and Gospel ministers; and look very beautiful as under the yoke of Christ, and joined together in Gospel bonds, being of the same faith and judgment; drawing one way, striving together for the faith of the Gospel, and endeavouring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.
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
לססתי 5484 ברכבי 7393 פרעה 6547 דמיתיך 1819 רעיתי׃ 7474
