Song of Songs 4:13Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Why is the output of the Bride a garden of thorns? Why does the apple fruit arise from thorns? How is this apple fruit transformed into a collection of peace and fragrances? In the assortment of apple fruits are cypress, nard, saffron, cane, cinnamon, and every tree of Lebanon, ensuring that in these enumerations, no variety of the rich fragrances of Lebanon is lacking, including smyrna and scarlet, along with all the first elements of the world. The aforementioned fountain is now hailed by those who admire it as the Source of the fountains and the storehouse of living waters flowing from Lebanon. However, to grasp the true significance of these words, as previously mentioned, one must possess the ability to discern "the depths of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God" (Rom. 11:33). Yet, in order to partake of the benefits provided here, we shall briefly explore this topic, letting the Word of God Himself guide us in this endeavor.

The complete array of praises presented earlier, along with what the Bride now offers, does not merely intend to provide praise of any kind; rather, through its declarations, it enables us to elevate our hearts to a higher significance. For instance, she is referred to as the sister and Bride of the Word, and each title binds the soul to the Bridegroom, since the designation of the Bride, as Paul articulates, renders her a "joint heir" with the incorruptible Bridegroom (Eph. 3:6), and her diligence in fulfilling God’s will, as expressed in the Gospel, solidifies her close kinship. Then the qualities of her breasts are lauded, which, rather than producing milk, yield wine, and it is evident that this praise represents the practical reality since one does not commend what is unactualized. Her myrrh is also recognized as surpassing all fragrances; such an affirmation would not have been made unless her excellence led her to this distinction. Subsequently, there is admiration for the sweet words flowing from her lips, mingled with wisdom beneath her tongue, resembling molasses blended with honey. This is power, not mere words, for she who is led by the Word to a greater ascendance has so flourished that her mouth has transformed into a fountain of honey, while her tongue becomes a treasury of intertwined wisdom, revealing a land of promise flowing with honey. Having elevated her through numerous ascents, the Word leads her even higher, declaring that her garments exude a fragrance akin to that of Lebanon, indicating her adornment with Christ; for the culmination of a valiant life is unity with God, as demonstrated by the symbol of Lebanon. The soul, continually guided by the Word toward the highest purpose, does not cease here; rather, becoming akin to the fragrance of Lebanon, it becomes a garden reminiscent of paradise, albeit distinct from the initial gardens of humanity, which were unguarded and open to all, now safeguarded by the remembrance of the commandment. Can you perceive the renewed strength the Bride has attained to ascend the mountains? Pay attention to her ascent beyond this point. For she has not only become a garden, sustaining her nourishment, but she also welcomes those who thirst; having been transformed into a sealed fountain, she does not stop there but expands to the point where a garden emerges from her mouth. For those who carefully examine the Hebrew phrase understand that instead of saying, "thy lethorasli," it says, "out of thy mouth is a garden of thorns." This means, "The word that proceeds from your mouth is a garden of thorns." However, these thorns intrinsic to her yield an abundance of all kinds of fruit, including cypress, nard, saffron, cane, cinnamon, and every fragrance of Lebanon, alongside smyrna, scarlet, and the finest of the world. Therefore, since the Bride, due to the favor indicated in the Psalm and the intercession she received from God, has planted such beautiful "ascents in her heart," continually ascending "from strength to strength" (Ps. 83:6, 8), when her condition reaches fulfillment, the fruits of her lips are aptly termed the garden of thorns. The term "lethorasle" (Greek: apostles) harmonizes with this meaning, as what is sent from the sender naturally journeys to the recipient. This can also be discerned from the common usage of the word, as the Gospel states that the Word itself "called the Apostles" (Luke 6:13). What does the mouth of the Bride transmit? Clearly, it is the word of faith that, when received, transforms into a garden within those who hear it. For a grove filled with trees and shaded by them is typically referred to as a garden. Thus, to recognize the kinds of plants the Word has cultivated in the souls of believers, He refers to the trees that grow from the mouth of the Bride, nourished by the hearing of the Word, as thorns. Moreover, thorns do inherently oppose, dropping sharp needles while encasing something hard and bitter to the taste, which nurtures the fruit that, once ripe and released from its sheath, becomes delightful and beautiful to behold, while resembling honey, pleasing the palate with a sweetness akin to wine.

Therefore, it appears to me that the words emanating from the mouth of the Bride foster gardens of thorns within the souls of those who receive them, guiding us to understand that we should not indulge ourselves in this life with unchecked freedom and decadence but instead choose a life of moderation. In this manner, the fruit of virtue remains impervious to theft, shielded by the steadfast crown of temperance—honest and self-disciplined—as if guarded by thorns, deterring anyone with ill intentions. Yet, when the time arises to enjoy the fruit, the thorns become an abundance of apples delightful to various tastes, for not only thorns or acorns or anything of that nature are savored, but the apples of varying qualities reveal distinct flavors. The combination of cypress with nard, paired with fragrance, is marvelous. It is not commendable to be hot in itself when that heat represents a repulsive inflammation; rather, it must be demonstrated that within that heat, purity is exemplified by incense. Hence, one who is cleansed from unpleasant heat becomes "fervent in spirit" (Rom. 12:11). Different flavors may be found within these apples, including nard and saffron.

You should also learn to secure your doors at night, ensuring that no one can freely enter. The Bridegroom Himself wishes for it to remain locked even as He knocks. Our door symbolizes our mouth, which should be opened only for Christ; it must remain closed until the Divine Word prompts it. It is written, “A locked garden, my sister bride, a locked garden, a sealed spring,” indicating that one should not speak casually or engage in trivial discussions. You must refrain from discussing even sacred matters unless prompted by the Divine Word. What do you have in common with others? Speak solely with Christ; converse exclusively with Him. If it is stated (1 Corinthians 14:34) that women should be silent in the church, how much more inappropriate is it for a virgin to open her door or for a widow to lower her defenses! The tempter of purity will swiftly infiltrate, seize the Word you wished to express. Had Eve’s door been secured, Adam would not have fallen prey to temptation, and she would not have entertained the serpent's inquiry (Genesis 3:2). Death entered through the window (Jeremiah 9:21), which signifies the vulnerability of Eve. Similarly, death may also enter through your mouth if you utter falsehoods, engage in shameful talk, or speak where silence is warranted. Therefore, close the doors of your mouth, let your throat be constrained until you hear the voice of God, until you receive the Word of God.

Take heed, then, that the strength of your spirit is not compromised by the allure of physical passion, which can ensnare and weaken your resolve, unraveling the safeguard that requires intense focus and wise contemplation. For the garden remains secure, the well sealed. Should the fortitude of your mind wane, the senses are inundated with bodily pleasures—these are destructive and perilous temptations that would be restrained if a vigilant mind remained alert.

He praises the bride because she is a garden that emanates the aroma of abundance, akin to what Isaac described: “The odour of my son is like the odour of a full field” (Genesis 27:27). Behold, the glimmering soul of the righteous exudes the fragrance of virtue. The field may symbolize the patriarch, while the garden represents a soul as part of that field, diligently safeguarded from intruders, and the sealed spring symbolizes one who has cleansed her sins without compromising her fidelity. An understanding of this instructs us about the Church and the grace of virginity, for by dwelling in this joyful garden, she bears spiritual fruits without labor. The souls of the patriarchs bestow upon her the results of their spiritual endeavors so that she may savor eternal sweetness. She is rightfully termed a sealed spring, for the image of the invisible God is reflected therein (Colossians 1:15). The gifts of the soul, sent forth to the Bridegroom, accompany her. For the dowry of the righteous soul consists of incense: myrrh, aloes, and saffron, which exhale the sweetness of the gardens while dispelling the foulness of sins.

A locked garden—fenced in on all sides by the wall of purity; a sealed spring— virginity, the source of chastity, safeguarded by the unyielding seals of purity, wherein the image of God is mirrored, for the purity of the body coincides with the purity of heart.

Therefore, remain vigilant, lest the fervor of your spirit be dulled by the influence of fleeting pleasures, allowing the defenses to break down. Guard your wellspring, which must remain locked and protected through diligent effort and reflection. An enclosed well, a sealed spring. For when the vigor of the spirit diminishes, the senses can overflow with destructive carnal desires—these urges are dangerous and enticing, which could be restrained if there was a cautious guardian in place, ensuring the spirit's strength remains intact.

In such gardens, where the image of God is evident in forms of revelation, the flow of pure waters sparkles so that even the streams, potentially muddied by the vagaries of spiritual afflictions, remain clear. Chastity is enshrined within a spiritual barrier to protect it from harm. Just as an exclusive garden, unreachable to thieves, emanates the fragrance of vines and aromatic trees, so too should the spiritual garden cultivate piety in place of the vine, tranquility in place of the oil tree, and the purity of consecrated virginity in place of the rose. These are fruitful gardens of various virtues, as Scripture states: “The garden shut up is my sister bride, the garden shut up, the spring sealed.” Herein lie chastity, purity, reverence for God, faithful retention of secrets, the radiance of angels, the violets of confessors, the lilies of virgins, and the roses of martyrs.

This garden also features the spring of living water and streams flowing from Lebanon, as stated in Song of Songs 4:15. It encompasses not merely the openly shared teachings of the Gospel but also the hidden well of the law, likened to living waters with concealed, bubbling streams that echo and cascade from Lebanon. In Jerusalem, the pathway to life has attained completeness, perfectly aligning with the law, symbolically described as Lebanon; this well has been entrusted to the Lord's bride, the Church, and even in its concealed state, it exuberantly flows and nourishes the garden of the Church.