Section 485
II. She not only asserts the same of him as he had done of her, but also makes an addition to his character
Saying, "behold, thou art fair, yea pleasant." This shews the exceeding great value and esteem that she had for him, and that she found it difficult to find words fully expressive of his excellency; and indeed all words fall short of expressing his worth. She was not contented with the former commendation of him, and therefore adds another word, striving, as it were, to exceed him in her commendations. They were not mere words of compliment she used, for her heart and affections went along with them; nay, she labored under a difficulty of finding out words, apt, strong, and full enough to express the real and just sentiments of her mind concerning him, and therefore, as she thought one word was not enough, she adds another, "yea, pleasant." 1. The person of Christ is so to a believer: He looks pleasantly upon believers with an eye of love and grace, "his eyes are as the eyes of doves by the rivers of water, washed with milk, and fitly set" upon them, He does not look upon them in a frowning, furious, and angry manner, but as having the greatest respect for, and taking the greatest delight in them; and whilst they are enabled by faith to view him with love in his heart and smiles in his countenance their souls are filled with an universal pleasure; for if it is "a pleasant thing for the eyes to behold the sun" in the firmament, it is much more pleasant to behold the "sun of righteousness arising with healing in his wings; to see our acceptance in his person, pardon, through his blood, justification by his righteousness, reconciliation with God through his atoning sacrifice, and every needful supply of grace from his infinite fullness: O how pleasant must Christ be to a believer under all these sweet considerations! 2. Christ's covenant and promises are exceeding pleasant to them. What can be a more delightful sight, than to view Christ as the Mediator, surety, and messenger of the covenant of grace; to see all the blessings, and the "exceeding great and precious promises" of it, all secured in his hands; as also their interest in it, and in him as their covenant-head? so that they can say, as David did (2 Samuel 23:5), "although my house be not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and sure: for this; all my salvation and all my desire, although he make it not to grow;" it is this will give satisfaction and content, under all the troubles and exercises of life, and fortify against the fears of death. 3. The doctrines of Christ are pleasant to believers. "Pleasant words are as an honey-comb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones;" such are the wholesome words of our Lord Jesus, the doctrines of the everlasting gospel; these are sweeter to a believer's taste than "the honey, or the honeycomb;" they are saltitary and nourishing, and therefore valued by him more than his necessary food; he often, with Jeremiah, finds these words, and eats them, and they are to him "the joy and rejoicing of his heart." 4. The ordinances of Christ are pleasant to them. The commands of Christ are far from being grievous, his "yoke is easy and his burden light;" all his tabernacles are amiable and lovely, his "ways are ways of pleasantness, and his paths are paths of peace," especially when they enjoy his presence, have communion with him, and are assisted by his Spirit in an attendance on them. 5. Christ's company and conversation are exceeding pleasant and delectable; no fellowship like "fellowship with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ." This is the believer's peculiar privilege, his sole delight, and the matter of his glorying: no presence like the presence of Christ, "in whose presence is fullness of joy; and at whose right hand are pleasures for evermore." Communion with angels, and fellowship with saints, must needs be very pleasant and delightful to believers; but not to be compared with the enjoyment of his presence, who is the head of angels, and the king of saints; this is the saints" comfort here, and will be their eternal happiness hereafter.