Page:The Song of Songs (1857).djvu/128

 Is it certain, however, that this Psalm is all allegory? The Psalm itself gives not the slightest intimation that it is to be understood in any other than its literal sense. Let us examine it:—

"My heart boils with good matter; When I think my work is for the king, My tongue becomes as a style of a quick writer. Thou art beautiful, beautiful above the sons of men: Charm is poured upon thy lips, Therefore God has blessed thee for ever. Gird thy sword on thy thigh, O hero! Thy splendour and thy glory, yea, thy glory, Ride on victoriously for truth and mildness and right. Great things shall thy right hand teach thee! Thy arrows are sharp—people fall under thee— They dart into the heart of the king's enemies! Thy throne, O God, stands for ever and ever; A sceptre of justice is the sceptre of thy kingdom; Thou lovest right, and hatest wrong; Therefore God, thy God, anointed thee With gladdening oil above thy companions! Myrrh, aloes, and cassia are all thy garments, Out of ivory palaces stringed instruments joyfully greet thee; Kings' daughters are among thy dear ones— Upon thy right hand stands the queen in gold of Ophir.

Hear, O daughter, and see, and incline thine ear; Forget thy people and thy father's house, That the king may desire thy beauty, For he is thy Lord, and honour thou him. O daughter of Tyre, now with presents The rich of the people salute thy face.

The king's daughter stands in the palace in all the splendour, Her clothing is of fabricated gold, She is led to the king in wrought raiment; Behind her are the virgins, her companions, brought for thee; They are conducted with joy and rejoicing, They enter the palace of the king.

Instead of thy fathers shall be thy sons: Thou wilt set them as princes over the whole land. I wilt celebrate thy name from generation to generation; Therefore shall nations praise thee for ever and ever."

This Psalm is evidently a congratulatory nuptial-song, composed for the occasion of a king's marriage with a princess of Tyre. The sacred writer begins by stating that such is the greatness of the subject, that it awakens thoughts too big for