The Song of Songs / Translated from the Original Hebrew, with a Commentary, Historical and Critical

THE SONG OF SONGS, WITH A COMMENTARY.
THE SONG OF SONGS:
Translated from the Original Hebrew,
WITH A COMMENTARY, HISTORICAL AND CRITICAL.
BY CHRISTIAN D. GINSBURG.
‏שֶׁקֶר הַחֵן וְהֶבֶל הַיֹּפִי‎
‏אִשָּׁה יִרְאַת־יְהוָה הִיא תִתְהַלָּל:‏‎—Prov. xxxi. 30.
LONDON: LONGMAN, BROWN, GREEN, LONGMANS, AND ROBERTS. 1857.
The following is an exposition of the first of the five books called Megiloth, all of which, having engaged the attention of the Author for several years, will now, God willing, be brought before the Public in regular succession. The Author’s aim has been to investigate and elucidate the true meaning of the original, in accordance with the established laws of historico-grammatical exegesis, and to show that, in its literal sense, the Song of Songs teaches a great moral lesson, worthy of Divine inspiration.
The resemblance, however, between the narrative here recorded and the experience of the people of God is striking and apposite. The Shulamite, espoused to her shepherd, is tempted by a mighty potentate with riches and pleasures to transfer her affections; but, strengthened by the power of divine love, she resists all temptation, remains faithful to her beloved, and is ultimately rewarded. The people of God, espoused to “the Shepherd and Bishop of their souls,” are tempted by the prince of this world to forsake their Lord, but, strengthened by grace divine, they resist all allurements, and eventually receive the crown of glory.
The author tenders his hearty thanks to his esteemed friend, the Rev. Isaac Salkinson of Hamburg; to the Rev. J. M. Charlton, A.M.; the Rev. R. Robinson, of York-road; the Rev. G. Rogers, of Albany-road; and to Nathaniel Bridges, Esq., A.M., for perusing the MS. and proofs, and for kind suggestions. Thanks are also due to those gentlemen in London and Oxford, who have facilitated the author’s access to MSS. and other rare works in the British Museum and the Bodleian Library.
May the Divine Spirit, whose words the Author has attempted to elucidate, render the attempt profitable to the readers!