ALTOGETHER LOVELY

The account which she gives of her beloved is one of tenfold splendour. His head, locks, eyes, cheeks, lips, hands, belly, legs, countenance and mouth are all described. A cursory glance did not satisfy. She has examined him minutely, plundering the treasure chest of language to describe him. The gleam of gold, the black sheen of the raven, the fragrance of spice, flowers and myrrh, the beauty of beryl, the white glory of ivory, the sparkle of sapphires, and the splendour of marble. All are used to express what she has found in her beloved. She sees the beauties of the one whom she has neglected.

But such an appreciation could only have been gained when she had been with him! Distance would not afford such a view; slothfulness would not bring such enjoyment of him; indifference could not yield such riches.

How long do we spend reading of Him in Scripture, meditating on what we read and adding to our store of contemplation? To those who desire such appreciation He gladly responds, and to those whose devotion is expressed by their occupation with Him He liberally gives of that which ravishes the heart.

The closer one draws to what man creates, the flaws are more readily seen. The closer one is to what God creates, the beauties are the more discovered. But in contemplating Him we are not looking at what God has created, we are looking, rather, on the One who did create. The nearer we are to Christ, we learn that He is not only without spot and blemish, not only lacking in that which disfigures, but is resplendent in His beauty and overwhelming in His glory. Little wonder that her words reach their climax with the expression that ‘he is altogether lovely’. Every single part is an outshining of beauty; everywhere she looks there is only exquisite loveliness.

How blessed to see that appreciating him brought him to her. In chapter 6 he is back in his garden where he was found at the beginning of chapter 5. Looking on Christ is to unfold new beauties. One but leads to another, which in turn causes others to blossom, and, for those who are so occupied, the joy of His presence adds its lustre to the day.