Christ and the Church in the Song of Solomon

Sources

1. Song of Solomon “Song of Solomon 1:1 (BSB) — This is Solomon’s Song of Songs.”
2. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Solomon, Song of — Called also, after the Vulgate, the "Canticles." It is the "song of songs" (1:1), as being the finest and most precious of its kind; the noblest song, "das Hohelied," as Luther calls it. The Solomonic authorship of this book has been called in question, but evidences, both internal and external, fairly establish the traditional view that it is the product of Solomon's pen. It is an allegorical poem setting forth the mutual love of Christ and the Church, under the emblem of the bridegroom and the bride. (Compare Matt. 9:15; John 3:29; Eph. 5:23, 27,”
3. Song Of Solomon “Song Of Solomon 1:1 (NASB) — The Song of Songs, which is Solomon's.”
4. Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Canticles — (Song of Songs), entitled in the Authorized Version THE SONG OF [344]Solomon. It was probably written by Solomon about B.C. 1012. It may be called a drama, as it contains the dramatic evolution of a simple love-story. Meaning.-- The schools of interpretation may be divided into three: the mystical or typical, the allegorical, and the literal . + The mystical interpretation owes its origin to the desire to find a literal basis of fact for the allegorical. This basis is either the marriage of Solomon with Pharoah's daughter or his marriage with an Israelitis”
5. Song of Solomon (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Song of Solomon 2 (introduction): INTRODUCTION TO SONG OF SOLOMON 2 Here begins a new colloquy between Christ and his church; in which they alternately set forth the excellencies of each other; and express their mutual affection for, and delight and pleasure they take in, each other's company. Christ seems to begin, in an account of himself and his own excellencies, and of the church in her present state, Sol 2:1; then she, in her turn, praises him, and commends him above all others relates some choice proofs she had had of his love to her, and of communion with him in his house”
6. Song of Solomon (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Song of Solomon 7 (introduction): INTRODUCTION TO SONG OF SOLOMON 7 In this chapter Christ gives a fresh commendation of the beauty of his church, in a different order and method than before; beginning with her "feet", and so rising upwards to the "hair" of her head, and the roof of her mouth, Sol 7:1; And then the church asserts her interest in him, and his desire towards her, Sol 7:10; and invites him to go with her into the fields, villages, and vineyards, and offers various reasons, by which she urges him to comply with her invitation, Sol 7:11.”
7. Song of Solomon (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Song of Solomon 1 (introduction): (CANTICLE I)--THE BRIDE SEARCHING FOR AND FINDING THE KING. (Son. 1:2-2:7) The song of songs--The most excellent of all songs, Hebrew idiom (Exo 29:37; Deu 10:14). A foretaste on earth of the "new song" to be sung in glory (Rev 5:9; Rev 14:3; Rev 15:2-4). Solomon's--"King of Israel," or "Jerusalem," is not added, as in the opening of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, not because Solomon had not yet ascended the throne [MOODY STUART], but because his personality is hid under that of Christ, the true Solomon (equivalent to Prince of Peac”
8. Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 45:1: Some make Shoshannim, in the title, to signify an instrument of six strings; others take it in its primitive signification for lilies or roses, which probably were strewed, with other flowers, at nuptial solemnities; and then it is easily applicable to Christ who calls himself the rose of Sharon and the lily of the valleys, Sol 2:1. It is a song of loves, concerning the holy love that is between Christ and his church. It is a song of the well-beloved, the virgins, the companions of the bride (Psa 45:14), prepared to be sung by them. The virgin-company that attend ”
9. Song of Solomon (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Song of Solomon 8 (introduction): INTRODUCTION TO SONG OF SOLOMON 8 This chapter begins with an ardent wish of the church for a free and intimate converse with Christ; declaring what she would do to him, and for him, should she have such an interview with him, Sol 8:1; what familiarity should be between them, Sol 8:3; charging the daughters of Jerusalem not to give him any disturbance, Sol 8:4. Upon which they inquire who she was that was in such a posture they saw her in, Sol 8:5; when the church, instead of giving them an answer, says some things concerning her beloved, on who”
10. Song of Solomon (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Song of Solomon 4 (introduction): INTRODUCTION TO SONG OF SOLOMON 4 In this chapter is contained a large commendation of the church's beauty by Christ; first, more particularly, by an enumeration of several parts, as her eyes, hair, teeth, lips, temples, neck, and breasts, Sol 4:1; and more generally, Sol 4:7; And having observed where he himself was determined to go, he invites her to go with him; which he enforces, partly from the danger she was exposed unto where she was Sol 4:6; and partly from the comeliness of her person and graces in his esteem; with which he was ravished”
11. Revelation (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Revelation 22:20: Amen. Even so, come--The Song of Solomon (Sol 8:14) closes with the same yearning prayer for Christ's coming. A, B, and Aleph omit "Even so," Greek, "nai": then translate for Amen, "So be it, come, Lord Jesus"; joining the "Amen," or "So be it," not with Christ's saying (for He calls Himself the "Amen" at the beginning of sentences, rather than puts it as a confirmation at the end), but with John's reply. Christ's "I come," and John's "Come," are almost coincident in time; so truly does the believer reflect the mind of his Lord.”