31 By night on my bed I sought him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not.
31 All night long on my bed I looked for the one my heart loves; I looked for him but did not find him.
31 On my bed by night I sought him whom my soul loves; I sought him, but found him not.
31 Restless in bed and sleepless through the night, I longed for my lover. I wanted him desperately. His absence was painful.
31 The Shulamite By night on my bed I sought the one I love; I sought him, but I did not find him.
31 One night as I lay in bed, I yearned for my lover. I yearned for him, but he did not come.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Song of Solomon 3:1
Commentary on Song of Solomon 3:1-5
(Read Song of Solomon 3:1-5)
It was hard to the Old Testament church to find Christ in the ceremonial law; the watchmen of that church gave little assistance to those who sought after him. The night is a time of coldness, darkness, and drowsiness, and of dim apprehensions concerning spiritual things. At first, when uneasy, some feeble efforts are made to obtain the comfort of communion with Christ. This proves in vain; the believer is then roused to increased diligence. The streets and broad-ways seem to imply the means of grace in which the Lord is to be sought. Application is made to those who watch for men's souls. Immediate satisfaction is not found. We must not rest in any means, but by faith apply directly to Christ. The holding of Christ, and not letting him go, denotes earnest cleaving to him. What prevails is a humble, ardent suing by prayer, with a lively exercise of faith on his promises. So long as the faith of believers keeps hold of Christ, he will not be offended at their earnest asking, yea, he is well pleased with it. The believer desires to make others acquainted with his Saviour. 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.