Song of Solomon 1:3
Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee. Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee.
The verse is the church speaking to Christ the bridegroom, declaring that his name is like fragrant oil poured out, revealing his precious character and presence and drawing the love of his people. His name holds the whole gospel for the soul, giving light and food and healing, filling the heart and mind with sweetness and joy and life and turning the sharpest anguish into peace. It answers every doubt, gives courage, secures hope, defeats every foe, heals weakness, supplies every want and fulfills every desire. Those who receive him by faith love him above all others and delight in him, and the fragrance of his grace gives them power to run after him in joyful obedience. That love becomes a sweet fragrance in them that cannot be hidden, felt by all they meet and drawing others to him.
Setting and Poetic Imagery
The book's warm Eastern imagery belongs to the language and setting of its own time and is not to be judged by modern objections, while many read the book as a figurative parable of Christ and his church. In that parable the verse is the church speaking to Christ, forming part of a poetic picture of his wonderful love and of the church's response to him, although the church is often unfaithful and inconstant. The same address presents his name as fragrant and precious like fine ointment poured out. The virgins who love him on account of that fragrance are the daughters of Jerusalem. The bridegroom of the song represents Christ, so the beloved's name poured out as fragrant ointment portrays the preciousness and attractiveness of his character and presence and the love he awakens in his people.
Christ's Fragrant Name
The name of Jesus holds the entire Gospel within itself, serving as light to guide the soul, food to sustain it, and medicine to heal it. That name spreads like perfume poured out, overflowing with sweetness and light and joy and love and life, filling the air around with fragrance. It fills the mind with glorious truth in which no fear can remain, soothes wounded hearts with balm that turns the sharpest anguish into peace, and sheds immortal strength through the soul.
It answers every doubt, imparts all courage, secures all hopes, defeats all foes, heals all weakness, supplies all wants, and fulfills all desires, while its grace brings comfort and healing and delights the heart. To his people that name is precious and draws out their love, so they love him deeply and above all others, delighting in him and making his will their law.
He is sweet and welcome to those who long for his coming, and his name brings music and warmth to the heart that receives him by faith. Former indifference toward Christ and his people and his kingdom gives way to strong and tender affection, until Christ becomes the heart's beloved and abiding presence. His name is the most transporting theme of the church on the way from the valley of tears to the home on the mount of God, and it will be the richest chord in heaven where angels and the redeemed sing together around the throne. Only Jesus can interpret his own name, and he has done so by his works on earth and his glory at the right hand of the Father.
Response and Holy Influence
Running in the fragrance of the ointment pictures the believer's progress, for the savor of the ointment is what enables the running. Ability to run does not rest on personal merits, strength, or willingness, but on God's mercy. Without the influence of the ointment there is no power to run.
God's name like ointment poured forth brings joy to those who receive it. Those adopted into God's family receive His name and life, and by overcoming this change of name is possible now, so that death is replaced by life. Having His name means belonging to Him and sharing His life, which should lead to praise and to conduct that brings glory to Him before others.
The image also applies to holy people, whose remembered virtues are fragrant and enduring. Their moral beauty instructs, reproves, and encourages others. The love of Christ in the heart is likewise like a sweet fragrance that cannot be hidden, and its holy influence is felt by the people encountered. Words made precious by the speaker's communion with God can be like ointment poured forth that draws others with fragrance, so that when speaking to fellow sinners after prayer and communion the face shines and the words become precious and attractive.