31 On my couch by night, I sought him whom my soul hath loved; I sought him, and I found him not! 2 —Pray, let me rise, and go round the city, In the streets and in the broad places, I seek him whom my soul hath loved!—I sought him, and I found him not. 3 The watchmen have found me, (Who are going round about the city), 'Him whom my soul have loved saw ye?' 4 But a little I passed on from them, Till I found him whom my soul hath loved! I seized him, and let him not go, Till I brought him in unto the house of my mother—And the chamber of her that conceived me.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Song of Solomon 3:1-4
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.