D. Scott Meadows

“Behold, thou art fair, my Beloved.” —Song of Solomon 1:16

From every point [of view] our Well-beloved [Lord Jesus Christ] is most fair [archaic for “beautiful”]. Our various experiences are meant by our heavenly Father to furnish fresh standpoints from which we may view the loveliness of Jesus; how amiable [or, “lovable”] are our trials when they carry us aloft where we may gain clearer views of Jesus than ordinary life could afford us! We have seen Him from the top of Amana, from the top of Shenir and Hermon [all mountains; Song of Sol 4.8], and He has shone upon us as the sun in his strength; but we have seen Him also “from the lions’ dens, from the mountains of the leopards” [Song of Sol 4.8], and He has lost none of His loveliness. From the languishing of a sick bed, from the borders of the grave, have we turned our eyes to our soul’s Spouse, and He has never been otherwise than “all fair.” Many of His saints have looked upon Him from the gloom of dungeons, and from the red flames of the stake, yet have they never uttered an ill word of Him, but have died extolling His surpassing charms.

Oh, noble and pleasant employment to be for ever gazing at our sweet Lord Jesus! Is it not unspeakably delightful to view the Savior in all His offices, and to perceive Him matchless in each?—to shift the kaleidoscope, as it were, and to find fresh combinations of peerless graces? In the manger and in eternity, on the cross and on his throne, in the garden and in His kingdom, among thieves or in the midst of cherubim, He is everywhere “altogether lovely” [Song of Sol 5.16].

Examine carefully every little act of His life, and every trait of His character, and He is as lovely in the minute as in the majestic. Judge Him as you will, you cannot censure; weigh Him as you please, and He will not be found wanting [or, “lacking anything”]. Eternity shall not discover the shadow of a spot in our Beloved, but rather, as ages revolve, His hidden glories shall shine forth with yet more inconceivable splendor, and His unutterable loveliness shall more and more ravish all celestial [or, “heavenly”] minds.

—C. H. Spurgeon, Morning and Evening, 22 May PM

On Song of Solomon 1.16

In the centuries–old traditional interpretation of the Song of Solomon, this verse is understood as the church’s praise of Christ. Matthew Poole is representative: “The church here again speaks, and retorts Christ’s words upon Himself: ‘If I am fair, it is only by thy grace and favorable acceptation; thou, and thou only, art fair indeed, thy beauty is exquisite and perfect’” (Annotations upon the Holy Bible). Under the figure of romantic and marital love, the inspired poem soars in the heights of most intense feeling, “love . . . strong as death; . . . a most vehement flame” (Song of Sol 8.5). Beware, however, of importing anything of eros in the church’s love for our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Godly love for Him is more exquisite still, and even the best of human marriage experience is only its dim reflection.

General observations on this devotional message

Salvation may be described as the restoration of our God-given capacity to worship Him. Salvation, then, is for the manifestation of His glory and the promotion of our blissful joy. This worship in Spirit and truth (Jn 4.24) is the very reason for our being according to God’s eternal purpose for His elect (1 Cor 10.31). Indeed, Scripture portrays saints above in breathtaking scenes offering perpetual praise to Christ upon His throne, whereby His glory appears more conspicuously and the redeemed are rapturously enthralled. C. S. Lewis observed, “I think we delight to praise what we enjoy because the praise not merely expresses but completes the enjoyment; it is its appointed consummation. It is not out of compliment that lovers keep on telling one another how beautiful they are; the delight is incomplete till it is expressed” (Reflections on the Psalms, p. 97).

Spurgeon’s praise of Christ resonates with all true Christians, dubbed by him “celestial minds.” One mark of those who are saved is Spirit-produced praise of Christ as their delight even in this life. As tuning forks of the same frequency vibrate in sympathy, so our souls, if we are truly made new by the Holy Spirit, are stirred when the beauty of Christ is so ably described and celebrated. New creatures in Christ (2 Cor 5.17) have already begun their New Creation ministry. Have you?

The structure of this devotional message

I. Christ’s beauty in a believer’s experiences. From the highest highs of human blessing, to the lowest lows of suffering, people of a living faith discern Christ’s radiant beauty. Is this your sincere testimony?

II. Christ’s beauty in all His offices, graces, and places. As Prophet, Priest, and King, as faithful, mighty, and gracious, in His birth, life, death, resurrection, ascension, and session, Christ’s beauty shines. Do you see that?

III. Christ’s beauty in everything for all time. As His beauty is divine and eternal, it is beyond our comprehension and could never possibly fail or disappoint in any regard whatsoever! Ω