Section 538
IV. The motives or arguments he makes use of to prevail upon her to grant him what he desired of her, are these two
1st, The sweetness of her voice. 2dly; The comeliness of her countenance: which he mentions, not only to shew what induced him to make the request; but also to encourage her to grant it.
1st, He says, that her "voice was sweet;" that is, grateful, acceptable, and exceeding well-pleasing; and therefore he desired to hear it; which she had no reason to be ashamed of. Herodotus[3645] makes mention of a dove that spoke with an human voice; such a voice Christ's dove speaks with, and is very grateful to him; the voice as well as the countenance of lovers, is very pleasing;[3646] and such was the voice of the church, 1. In speaking of Christ, of what he is in himself and what he is to her, and has done for her, is sweet unto him; he loves to hear his people streak of these things; we are told (Malachi 3:16), that "they that feared the Lord, spake often one to another;" and what did they speak of? no doubt of the excellency of Christ of what he had done for, shewn unto, and wrought in them: now what acceptance did this meet with from him? why, "he hearkened and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him" of all they spake of one to another, 2. Her voice in speaking for him, confessing his name, and bearing a testimony to his truths, is sweet unto him; for he says (Matthew 10:32), that "whosoever shall confess him before men, him will he confess before his father which is in heaven;" but as for those who are "ashamed of him and of his words" here on earth, he highly resents, and will be ashamed of them another day, and in another world. 3. Her voice in speaking to Christ is sweet; whether it be in prayer or in praise; her voice in prayer is so; and thus the Targum. paraphrases the words, "let me hear thy voice, for thy voice is sweet in prayer in the house of the little sanctuary." The prayer of a poor believer makes sweet music in Christ's ears; nothing is so delightful to him; so little reason have souls to be discouraged, or fear a kind reception of their petitions with him: and so her voice in praise and thanksgiving is sweet unto him; praise is not only pleasant in itself, and comely in us, but is also exceeding delightful to him; this "pleases the Lord better than an ox or bullock that has horns and hoofs." (Psalm 69:30, 31)
2dly, He tells her, that her "countenance was comely;" that is, beautiful, and much to be desired; and this Christ says, not only in opposition to what she was in the esteem of the world, who counted her as the off-scouring of it, but also to what he was in her esteem, who looked upon herself as black and uncomely, and therefore was ashamed to lift up her head, or to have her countenance seen by him; therefore, in order to remove her unbelief, bashfulness, and misgivings of hearty he declares what she was in his esteem, whose judgment is preferable to her own, and to all others beside; for in his opinion, she was "the fairest among women," of a beautiful aspect and comely countenance, being made perfectly comely through that comeliness which he had put upon her: he saw no iniquity in her, nor any spot upon her, as clothed with his righteousness; she was in his eye a "perfection of beauty;" having the most just symmetry and proportion of parts, the most agreeable shape, and the most lovely features in her face; her cheeks, being "comely with rows of jewels, and her neck with chains of gold," as in chapter 1:10. Faith is most properly the believer's face or countenance, by which he looks on. Christ, and views a fullness and suitableness in him, and expects all needful supplies from him; which look of faith on Christ, for life and salvation, is exceeding pleasant, nay, ravishing to him; and therefore he would have his church behold him again and again; for saints never appear more comely in Christ's, eye, than when they take a full view of him.