KenH
Well-Known Member
Below is an excerpt from Joseph Iron's Nymphas on Song of Solomon 6:13. It is one of the greatest pieces of commentary on the Word of God that I have ever read.
Song of Solomon 6:13 Return, return, O Shulamite; return, return, that we may look upon thee. What will ye see in the Shulamite? As it were the company of two armies.
What will ye see, then, in the Shulamite,
To urge her stay, or ask her to return,
That ye may look upon her as she is,
In deep engagements of internal war?
Two armies, flesh and spirit, in array -
Corruptions vanquish’d striving to revive -
Graces ascendant, mortifying sin -
Unceasing warfare – contest, sharp and long,
Which knows no terms of peace - no flag of truce.
An army of temptations, fierce and strong,
Oppos’d to gospel promises and grace,
Which sometimes make the issue of the war
A doubtful matter to the troubled soul,
’Till new supplies of grace arrive from Heav’n
And Jesus says to Satan, “Get thee hence.”
A host of heresies assail the Church,
Oppos’d to all the doctrines of free grace;
Free-willers and free-thinkers with their troops -
Traditions, superstitions, carnal rites,
And reason's enmity against the Lord -
These form an army hostile to the truth.
But vital godliness withstands them all -
Puts all the Spirit's graces in array,
With sword and shield, against the common foe,
Contending earnestly for God and truth.
No carnal weapons suit the Shulamite;
Her armour is the panoply of God,
And strength divine supports her in the war.
The conquest is not doubtful - grace shall reign
Through righteousness to everlasting life,
’Till inbred sins - the tempter's wiles, and all
The heresies which war against the truth,
Shall fall before the gospel of free grace.
Song of Solomon 6:13 Return, return, O Shulamite; return, return, that we may look upon thee. What will ye see in the Shulamite? As it were the company of two armies.
What will ye see, then, in the Shulamite,
To urge her stay, or ask her to return,
That ye may look upon her as she is,
In deep engagements of internal war?
Two armies, flesh and spirit, in array -
Corruptions vanquish’d striving to revive -
Graces ascendant, mortifying sin -
Unceasing warfare – contest, sharp and long,
Which knows no terms of peace - no flag of truce.
An army of temptations, fierce and strong,
Oppos’d to gospel promises and grace,
Which sometimes make the issue of the war
A doubtful matter to the troubled soul,
’Till new supplies of grace arrive from Heav’n
And Jesus says to Satan, “Get thee hence.”
A host of heresies assail the Church,
Oppos’d to all the doctrines of free grace;
Free-willers and free-thinkers with their troops -
Traditions, superstitions, carnal rites,
And reason's enmity against the Lord -
These form an army hostile to the truth.
But vital godliness withstands them all -
Puts all the Spirit's graces in array,
With sword and shield, against the common foe,
Contending earnestly for God and truth.
No carnal weapons suit the Shulamite;
Her armour is the panoply of God,
And strength divine supports her in the war.
The conquest is not doubtful - grace shall reign
Through righteousness to everlasting life,
’Till inbred sins - the tempter's wiles, and all
The heresies which war against the truth,
Shall fall before the gospel of free grace.