Exposition of Song of Solomon 1, Treatise · Verse 1
CHAP. I. Vers. 1. The Song of Songs, which is Solomon's.
THIS Verse containeth the Title of this Book, wherein you have, First, the Nature of it, a Song; Secondly, the Excellency of it, The Song of Songs; and thirdly, the Penman of it, which is Solomon's.
The Song, &c.] This Book is a Spiritual Song touching Christ and his Church, of which Subject David sang, Psa. 45. and so did the Prophet Isaiah, ch. 5. v. 1, 7. Now will I sing to my Wel-beloved a Song of my beloved. I am my Beloved's and my Beloved is mine, Cant. 6.3. This is called [foreign] a Song of Betrothings, and [foreign] a Song of Loves, because this Spiritual Ode doth celebrate the mutual nuptial loves of Christ and his Spouse, in a mysterious Marriage-song. A spiritual Song is for the most part an Argument of a spiritual joy, and holy rejoycing in the Lord, Psal. 28.7. with praise and thanksgiving to God, Psal. 96.1, 2, 4 sung with grace in the heart, Col. 3.16. by the assistance of the holy Spirit of God, 1 Cor. 14.15.
1 Meditation. Spiritual Songs do become spiritual souls espoused to Jesus Christ, Psal. 33.1, 3. & 149.1, 2. Moses, Exod. 15.2. Deborah, Judg. 5.12. David, 2 Sam. 22.12. and all Israel did celebrate their Dayes of Solemne Thanksgiving for their Deliverances and Mercies, received with Singing spiritual Songs, Numb. 21.17. Christ and his Disciples sung an Hymn after the Lords-Supper, Mat. 26.30. Paul and Silas sang Praises to God, Act. 16.25. The Churches of Ephesus and Colosse were commanded by the Apostle to sing Psalms, Hymns, and spiritual Songs, Eph. 5.19. & Col. 3.16.
The Song of Songs] This Ingemination of the word Song doth speak forth the excellency of the Matter, which was an usual manner among the Hebrews, in expressing such things as they esteemed very honorable, or accounted very dishonorable; as, a servant of servants, that is, the lowest and basest of Servants, Gen. 9.25. the God of Gods, that is, the most high God; and the Lord of Lords, that is, the most mighty Lord; and the King of Kings, that is to say, the most glorious King: so, the Song of Songs, that is, the most excellent Song.
The Excellency of this Song, will appear in that, 1. It contains the great Mysterie of Christ and his Church. 2. The Style thereof (though it express things very darkly, in Metaphors and Allegories, yet when opened and understood) is most proper and elegant; for the shadows do set off, and increase the splendor of the whole Peece: And, 3. The Matter of it is an Ecclesiastical History, Prophetically relating the state of the Church and people of God in the present and succeeding Ages; in which respects this Scripture doth admit of much variety of Interpretation, in regard of the Literal, Mystical, and Spiritual sense thereof, which none can understand, but those that are taught of God, Mat. 4.34.
2 Meditation. As there is a way, (a new and living way) in which none but the Redeemed shall walk, Isai. 35.8.9. so there is a Song (a new and spiritual Song) which none but the Redeemed can learn, Rev. 14.3, 4, 5.
Which is Solomon's] The Penman of this Song was Solomon the Son of David, who was a Type of Christ: 1. In his Name of Peace, Solomon (said God) shall be his Name, and I will give peace and quietness unto Israel in his dayes, 1 Chr. 22.9. & 1 King. 4.24. And Christ is called the Prince of Peace, Isa. 9.6. 2. In his Wisdome, 1 Ki. 3.12. & 1 King. 10.24. OnelyOnly Christ hath the preheminence in wisdome above Solomon, Mat. 12.43. And, 3. In his Kingly office: And the people said, God save King Solomon, 1 King. 1.39. Christ also was proclaimed King, Mat. 21.5-12. and is called the King of Kings, Rev. 19.16. Solomon is called the Preacher, Eccl. 1.1. & 12.9, 10. but Christ is the great Prophet, Act. 3.22, 23. whose words are spirit and life, Joh. 6.63. God called Solomon his Son, 2 Sam. 7.14, 15. but Christ his onelyonly begotten Son, Joh. 1.14. & 3.16. God loved Solomon, 2 Sam. 12.24, 25. but Christ is his beloved Son, in whom he is well pleased, Mat. 3.17. & 2 Pet. 1.17. and in whom all his Sons and Daughters are accepted, Eph. 1.6. All these particulars prove that Solomon was not only a great Man, a wise Man; but a good Man, a godly Man; a Saint, a Childe of God, in everlasting Covenant with God, 2 Sam. 7.14, 15. compared with Psal. 89.33, 34.
Solomon being now taken up in the spirit with heavenly contemplations of the holy communion between Christ and his Spouse wherin his soul had real and experimental enjoyment of his Beloved, (for Solomon loved the Lord, 1 Ki. 3.3.) in the Title of this Book, he laid aside all his own titles of worldly Dignity, earthly Majesty, and Honor, and called it Solomon's Song, not King Solomon, not Solomon the Preacher, not Solomon the wise, the great King; but plain Solomon.
3 Meditation. Although Titles of earthly Dignity and worldly Honor are lawful, Act. 26.25, 27. & 1 Pet. 3.5 6. yet a gracious Soul living in the enjoyment of the loves of Christ, can lay them aside with respect to himself. How often did David lay aside the Title of his Kingly Office and Honor in the Book of the Psalms? Psal. 3. to the 10 Ps. The title of those and many others is, A Psalm of David, not King David; and the Apostle, who sometime magnified his Office, Rom. 11.13. and other Dignities, 2 Cor. 11.22, 23. Yet when he came to Visions and Revelations of the Lord, then he laid all those Dignities aside, and said, I knew a man in Christ caught up to the third heavens, 2 Cor. 12.1, 2.