Cantar de los Cantares

Cantar de los Cantares 3:1

Ver. 1. Bed. The Church, finding Christ by his own revelation, and not by philosophy, holds him fast. W. --- He had delayed coming at the usual hour, to give us to understand, that he is not found amid delights, nor in a crowd, but that we must seek him diligently, like Magdalene. Jo.

xx. S. Amb. de Isaac. --- The apostles endeavoured to convert the synagogue, but their offers were rejected, and the guards, or princes, persecuted them. M.

C. v. 7. H.

Cantar de los Cantares 3:3

Ver. 3. City. To prevent fires, &c. God will require the souls of the flock at the hands of his pastors.

Cantar de los Cantares 3:4

Ver. 4. Me. She was perhaps dead. Women had separate apartments, to which none but the husband could have access. Gen. xxiv. 28. At the end of the marriage-feast, the bride was conducted to her husband's house. Matt. xxv. 1.

C. --- The Jews shall in the end acknowledge Christ, (W.) as the Church desires. M.

Cantar de los Cantares 3:5

Ver. 5. I. The bridegroom (C.) speaks as c. ii. 7. (W.) and c. viii. 4. He retires early.

Cantar de los Cantares 3:6

Ver. 6. Who. The female companions of the spouse, (C.) or the bridegroom's friends, (M.) admire her at a distance. C. vi. 9. and viii. 5. C. --- The converted Gentiles change the desert of the world into a paradise, by their good works, which ascend like a perfume. S. Greg. They admire their own conversion, and proclaim that we must fight for heaven, (W.) and adore Christ, the God-man; imitating all his virtues, (H.) and preaching his gospel. M.

Cantar de los Cantares 3:7

Ver. 7. Bed. Being stationed at the door to prevent any alarm, v. 8. C. --- In the Church Christ finds his repose, and daily produces the only heirs of heaven.

Ven. Bede. --- The angels, saints and pastors watch to defend it against the spirits of darkness. M.

Cantar de los Cantares 3:9

Ver. 9. Litter. Sept. to conduct his spouse with solemnity; or a throne; though it most probably denotes the bridal bed. C. --- Heb. apiron. Greek, φορειον.

Cantar de los Cantares 3:10

Ver. 10. Going. Prot. "covering of it of purple." H. --- Death must be endured, if necessary, for the sake of the faith, as this is the highest degree of charity. W.

--- He, &c. Heb. "is prepared for the beloved above the," &c. See Od. v. 660. C.

--- Prot. and Pagn. "the midst thereof being paved (Mont. set on fire) with love for (Mont. by) the daughters." H. --- The most desirable things adorn the litter, or the Church, that all may come to her, who has God to guide her decisions.

M.

Cantar de los Cantares 3:11

Ver. 11. Go. All are invited to come to Christ, who, in his sacred humanity, which he took of his mother, was crowned in heaven, after his passion. W. S.

Greg. Alcuin. --- The synagogue crowned him with thorns, and gave him the hard bed of the cross. S. Bern. S. Anselm, &c. ---

Bethsabee might live to see the marriage of her son, who owed the crown to her. 3 K. i. 18.

Prov. iv. 3. Both the parties were crowned, (Is. lxi. 10.) and no doubt Solomon would display his usual magnificence. The diadem was a bandage, adorned with embroidery, and precious stones.

C.