Thy cheeks are comely with rows of jewels, thy neck with chains of gold.
The book is Canticles, also called the Song of Solomon, one of the one thousand and five songs or poems written by Solomon. It is written as an Oriental love poem in vivid, warm, figurative imagery, framed as dialogue between various parties. That imagery belongs to the time when it was written.
It is a poetical picture and parable of Christ and His church, showing Christ's wonderful love and the church's love in response, though often wanting in faithfulness and constancy. The portrayal of the woman made comely with rows of jewels and with gold about the neck is part of that poetic portrayal. Experiences of Solomon in the poem may serve as types of Christ and the church. With that picture of Christ and the church in mind, it is to be read alone with God, and when read in its original setting its imagery carries no objection.
The book is Canticles, also called the Song of Solomon, one of the one thousand and five songs or poems written by Solomon. It is written as an Oriental love poem in vivid, warm, figurative imagery, framed as dialogue between various parties. That imagery belongs to the time when it was written.
It is a poetical picture and parable of Christ and His church, showing Christ's wonderful love and the church's love in response, though often wanting in faithfulness and constancy. The portrayal of the woman made comely with rows of jewels and with gold about the neck is part of that poetic portrayal. Experiences of Solomon in the poem may serve as types of Christ and the church. With that picture of Christ and the church in mind, it is to be read alone with God, and when read in its original setting its imagery carries no objection.