Song Of Songs 3:1-4

The Bride’s Dream

On my bed by night, I sought him
whom my heart loves;
I sought him, but did not find him.
So I will rise and go through the City;
in the streets and the squares
I will seek him whom my heart loves.
I sought him, but did not find him.
The watchmen came upon me
on their rounds in the City:
'Have you seen him whom my heart loves?'
Scarcely had I passed them
than I found him whom my heart loves.

On my bed by night, I sought him whom my heart loves; I sought him, but did not find him. :-: By night - When others compose themselves to sleep, my affections were working towards him. I sought for Christ's gracious and powerful presence. I sought but I found him not - For he had withdrawn the manifestations of his love from me, either because I had not sought him diligently, or because I had abused his favour.

So I will rise and go through the City; in the streets and the squares I will seek him whom my heart loves. I sought him, but did not find him. :-: The city - The city of God, the church in which Christ resides. Streets and squares - Not finding him in private prayer, and meditation, I sought him in the places of public assemblies and ordinances. But I found him not - He saw fit still to delay the discoveries of his grace.

The watchmen came upon me on their rounds in the City: 'Have you seen him whom my heart loves?' :-: The watchmen - The ministers of Christ, and rulers of the church. Go about - To prevent disorders and dangers. Him - She does not name him, because she thought it needless, as supposing a person of such transcendent excellency could not be unknown to men in that capacity. Their answer is not mentioned, either because they gave her no satisfactory answer, or because by their silence she gathered that they were unable to inform her; and being eager in the pursuit, she would not lose time.

Scarcely had I passed them than I found him whom my heart loves. :-: Found him - Christ met me, and manifested his love to me. Wherever we find Christ, we must take him home with us to our houses, especially to our hearts; and we should call upon ourselves and each other, to beware of grieving our holy Comforter, and provoking the departure of the Beloved.