And as these words describe the progressive gradations of light, so they may set forth the state and condition of the church in the several ages of the world; its first state in this clause, which may reach from the first dawn of light to Adam, ( Genesis 3:15); increasing in the times of the patriarchs, Noah, Abraham, and Jacob, and in which and to whom were various displays of Gospel light and grace; to the time of the giving of the law by Moses, when the church might be said to be fair as the moon ; which, though it receives its light from the sun, yet splendour and brightness are ascribed to it, ( Job 31:26); and, by other writers f405 , is represented as fair and beautiful; and the beautiful form of persons is expressed by it f406 : and very fitly is the state of the church under the law signified by the moon, by which the ceremonial law seems intended, in ( Revelation 12:1); that lying much in the observation of new moons, by the which the several festivals under the law were regulated; and which law gave light in the night of Jewish darkness, into the person, offices, and grace of Christ; and though it was imperfect, variable, waxed old, and at length vanished away, yet the church under it was “fair”; there being a beauty and amiableness in the worship of that dispensation, ( Psalm 27:4 Psalm 84:1). The next clause, “clear as the sun”, may describe the church under the Gospel dispensation; when the “sun of righteousness” arose, and made the famous Gospel day; when the shadows of the old law fled away, Christ, the substance, being come; when there were more light and knowledge, and a clear discerning of spiritual and evangelic things: and, in all those periods, the church was “terrible as [an army] with banners”; to her enemies, being in a militant state; (see Gill on “ Song of Solomon 6:4”). The whole of this may be applied to particular believers; who, at first conversion, “look forth as the morning”, their light being small, but increasing; and, as to their sanctification, are “fair as the moon”, having their spots and imperfections, and deriving all their light, grace, and holiness, from Christ; and, as to their justification, clear as the sun , being clothed with Christ, the sun of righteousness, ( Revelation 12:1); and so all fair and without spot; [and] terrible as [an army] with banners , fighting the good fight of faith, under the banners of Christ, against all spiritual enemies.

Matthew Henry Commentary

Song 6:1 Those made acquainted with the excellences of Christ, and the comfort of an interest in him, desire to know where they may meet him Those who would find Christ, must seek him early and diligently.

Song 6:2,3 Christ's church is a garden, enclosed, and separated from the world; he takes care of it, delights in it, and visits it. Thos who would find Christ, must attend him in his ordinances, the word sacraments, and prayer. When Christ comes to his church, it is to entertain his friends. And to take believers to himself: he picks the lilies one by one; and at the great day he will send forth his angel to gather all his lilies, that he may be for ever admired in them. The death of a believer is not more than the owner of a garden plucking favourite flower; and He will preserve it from withering, yea, cause it to flourish for ever, with increasing beauty. If our own hearts can witness for us that we are Christ's, question not his being ours, for the covenant never breaks on his side. It is the comfort of the church that he feeds among the lilies, that he takes delight in his people.

Song 6:4-10 All the real excellence and holiness on earth centre in the church. Christ goes forth subduing his enemies, while his follower gain victories over the world, the flesh, and the devil. He shows the tenderness of a Redeemer, the delight he takes in his redeemed people and the workings of his own grace in them. True believers alone can possess the beauty of holiness. And when their real character is known it will be commended. Both the church and believers, at their firs conversion, look forth as the morning, their light being small, but increasing. As to their sanctification, they are fair as the moon deriving all their light, grace, and holiness from Christ; and as to justification, clear as the sun, clothed with Christ, the Sun of righteousness, and fighting the good fight of faith, under the banner of Christ, against all spiritual enemies.

Song 6:11-13 In retirement and in meditation the Christian character is formed and perfected. But not in the retirement of the idle, the self-indulgent, or the trifler. When the Christian is released from the discharge of his duties in life, the world has no attractions for him His prayer is, that all things belonging to the Spirit may live an grow within him, and around him. Such are the interesting cares an employments of him whom the world wrongly deems unhappy, and lost to his true interests. In humility and self-abasement, the humbl Christian would turn away from the sight of all; but the Lord delight to honour him. Chiefly, however, may the reference be to the ministering angels who shall be sent for the soul of the Christian Their approach may startle, but the departing soul shall find the Lor its strength and its portion for ever. The church is called the Shulamite: the word signifies perfection and peace; not in herself, but in Christ, in whom she is complete, through his righteousness; and ha peace, which he made for her through his blood, and gives unto her by his Spirit __________________________________________________________________

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