SEV Biblia, Chapter 6:4
¶ Hermosa eres tú, oh compañera mía, como Tirsa; de desear, como Jerusalén; imponente como un ejército con banderas.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Song of Solomon 6:4
Verse 4. Beautiful-as Tirzah - This is supposed to be the address of Solomon to the bride. Tirzah was a city in the tribe of Ephraim, ( Josh. xii. 24,) and the capital of that district. It appears to have been beautiful in itself, and beautifully situated, for Jeroboam made it his residence before Samaria was built; and it seems to have been the ordinary residence of the kings of Israel, 1 Kings xiv. 17; xv. 53. Its same signifies beautiful or delightful. Comely as Jerusalem - This was called the perfection of beauty, Psa. xlviii. 2, 3; l. 2. And thus the poet compares the bride's beauty to the two finest places in the land of Palestine, and the capitals of the two kingdoms of Israel and Judah.
Terrible as an army with banners. - This has been supposed to carry an allusion to the caravans in the East, and the manner in which they are conducted in their travels by night. The caravans are divided into companies, called cottors, according to Thevenet; and each company is distinguished by the form of the brazier in which they carry their lights.
After night, these braziers are placed on the ends of long poles, and carried by a person who walks at the head of the company. Some have ten or twelve lights, and are of different forms; some triangular, or like an N; some like an M, by which each pilgrim readily knows his own company, both by night and day. A whole caravan, composed of many thousands of hadgees or pilgrims, divided into various cottors or companies, each having its own distinguishing brazier or light, must necessarily produce a very splendid, if not a terrible, appearance.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 4. Thou [art] beautiful, O my love, as Tirzah , etc.] These are the words of Christ, who had been absent for some time, and till now silent; but, like another Joseph, could not refrain any longer, but makes himself known to his church, and bursts out in strong expressions of love to her, and in high commendations of her; for, notwithstanding her behavior toward him, she was his love still, and as “beautiful” and as comely in his sight as ever: and for which he compares her here to Tirzah; which is either the name of some beautiful woman, well known in those times; so one of the daughters of Zelophehad is called by this name, ( Numbers 27:1); but whether from her beauty is nowhere said: or rather a city of this name is here meant, since, in the next clause, the church is compared to the city of Jerusalem for the same reason. There was a city in the land of Canaan, called Tirzah, formerly the seat of one of the ancient kings of Canaan, and, in later times, of Jeroboam and some of his successors; and which, no doubt, was a very pleasant and delightful place, as its name imports, either from its situation or buildings, ( Joshua 12:24). Adrichomius says, it was an heroic city, situated on a high mountain. In some of the Greek versions, it is read as an appellative, and tendered, as “good will” or “good pleasure” f385 , and so may respect the sweetness of her temper and disposition; which is heightened by using the abstract, she was all good nature and good will; not only sweet, as the Vulgate Latin version, but “sweetness” itself, as she says of him, ( Song of Solomon 5:16); and this may be said of her, as she was the object of God’s good will and pleasure in election, of Christ’s in redemption, and of the Spirit’s in effectual calling; and as she was the subject of good will, bearing one to God, to Christ, to his people, word, worship, ways, and ordinances. The word comes from a root which signifies to be “grateful [and] accepted”: and so Jarchi interprets the word here “acceptable”: and so some ancient writings of the Jews f386 : and may denote the acceptableness of the church in Christ, with whom God is well pleased in him for his righteousness’s sake, in which she appears exceeding fair and lovely. And for the same reason is said to be comely as Jerusalem ; the metropolis of Judea, and seat of the kings of it; and, as Pliny says, was far the most famous of any of the cities of the east; it was a city well built and compact together, beautiful for situation, very rich in Solomon’s time, the place of divine worship, and was strongly fortified by nature and art: and hence the church of God often bears this name, both in the Old and New Testament, ( Isaiah 40:2 Hebrews 12:22), being the city of the great King, built on Christ, the Rock; consisting of saints, fitly and closely united together; rich with the unsearchable riches of Christ; where the several parts of spiritual and evangelic worship are performed; possessed of many privileges, and well secured by the power and salvation of God. Yet terrible as [an army] with banners ; to her enemies, though so lovely to Christ. This shows that not a single person is meant all along, who could not with propriety be compared to an army; but a collective body, as the church is: and that the church on earth is militant, and, like a well disciplined army, in good order, and provided with proper officers and suitable armour, and in a posture of defence, and ready to fight when attacked; and so “terrible” to her enemies, Satan and his principalities, wicked men and false teachers; who are terrified by their having such a General at the head of them as Christ, and being under such banners as his, and provided with such good weapons of warfare, as are mighty through God; by their close union to one another; and by the constancy, undauntedness, and invincibleness of their faith; and are awed by their pious conversation and good examples. Perhaps some respect may be had by Christ to the church’s courage and constancy in seeking after him; the force of whose faith and love he felt, which he could not withstand, and therefore says as follows:
Matthew Henry Commentary
Inquiry where Christ must be sought. (Song 6:1) Where Christ may be found. (Song 6:2,3) Christ's commendations of the church. (Song 6:4-10 The work of grace in the believer. (Song 6:11-13)
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 __________________________________________________________________
Original Hebrew
יפה 3303 את 859 רעיתי 7474 כתרצה 8656 נאוה 5000 כירושׁלם 3389 אימה 366 כנדגלות׃ 1713
