Section 608
II. The second thing commended in her, is the smell of her garments
The ancients used to scent their garments; Calypso gave to Ulysses sweet-smelling garments;[3825] "and the smell of thy garments is like the smell of Lebanon:" in Lebanon grew many odoriferous trees, which did emit a fragrant smell to passers by, hence called "sweet-smelling Lebanon;"[3826] so the graces of God's people are said to smell as Lebanon, Hosea 14:6. By her garments here, may be meant, 1. The "garments of salvation, and the robe of Christ's righteousness: Christ's garments are said to "smell of myrrh, aloes and cassia; now these very garments are put upon the believer, so that it is no wonder his garments smell like Lebanon; in these believers appear before God, as Jacob did before his father, in the garments of his elder brother Esau, and are in his nostrils a sweet-smelling savor; for the smell of their raiment to him is like "the smell of a field which the Lord hath blessed;" he is exceeding well pleased with it, and with them in it; Christ smells a sweet odor, even in those garments which he himself has wrought out, and clothed his people with. Or else, 2. By them we may understand the outward conversation garments of, the saints; which are wholesome and savory, and not like the conversation of the wicked, filthy, of an ill smell, nauseous and infectious: when works go along with words, and practice with profession; when with lips dropping like the honey-comb, the sweet-smelling garment of a gospel conversation is joined, how does it adorn a Christian, and render him lovely and acceptable, and causes his smelt, to be as that of Lebanon? Some Jewish writers[3827] refer these garments to the sacerdotal garments of the priests; which were certainly typical of those, which Christ, as our high-priest, wears, and with which he clothes his people.