Notes, Critical and Explanatory, on the Holy Scriptures

The text contains a comparison, rather than a statement of the circumstances in which the lily grows. The bride is fair as the lily compared with thorns. Origen applies it to the church, " which came forth from the midst of infidels, as from among thorns, and which being assailed by heretics that rage around her continually, may be said to be amidst thorns."

She replies, by another comparison. Her lover is to her as an apple tree among the wild trees of the forest.

His society was like the taste of sweet fruit : his protection as the shade at noon-day.

Apertures in the wall served as windows. " The windows were made like net-work, with lattices, and were shut, not with transparent stone or glass, but with wood polished and inlaid." St. Jerome, Comm. ad. Ezech. xli. 16. IT The verb expressing haste is not in the text : but ^3? may be translated : " come :" as towards the close of the verse. Others regard it as a pronoun, which in English is redundant.

The rainy season. Rain is very frequent in Palestine during winter. The scene is laid In spring. The church, after much suffering, enjoys the presence of her spouse. St. Gregory considers the severity of the law as the winter which has passed.

As a dove concealed in the clefts of the rock, the beloved shrinks through modesty. The church i8 called forth from the hiding places in which she concealeth herself during the rage of persecution. S3 The terms mean a hiding place in a steep rock.

She desires the society of her beloved. The Church can find no delight but in Christ. 2T The speed of these animals Is the point of comparison. She desires her beloved to hasten his return.