CHRIST’S BRIDE BLACK BUT COMELY

compiled by Michael Jeshurun

“I am black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon!” [Sos 1:5]

There is a very great beauty in this verse, considered as to the view the Church had of herself as she really was in herself, and as she really was in Christ, and as beheld in Him. And I think, if the reader connects these expressions (as no doubt he ought) with what went before, he will discover a still greater beauty. She had desired the Lord to draw her that she might run after Him – this was done!

The king had brought her into His very chambers. Overpowered with such condescending grace the Church looks into herself, and sees so much vileness and iniquity that her soul swoons in the view, and cries out “I am black, O ye daughters of Jerusalem:” full of spots, and in myself covered over with the leprosy of sin. But behold, by the clothing of Jesus’ righteousness and the washing in His blood, how comely I am in the comeliness which He hath put upon me? – Robert Hawker

“Let it be published in heaven as a wonder, that the Lord Jesus should set His heart’s love upon such as we are. Dust and ashes though we be, we must and will “magnify the exceeding greatness of His grace.” Could not His heart find rest in heaven? Must He needs come to these tents of Kedar for a spouse, and choose a bride upon whom the sun had looked? O heavens and earth, break forth into a song, and give all glory to our sweet Lord Jesus!”
– C.H. Spurgeon