THEOSISGregory of Nyssa
A magnificent occurrence that comes at the right moment is neither fleeting nor ill-timed. The 'sprinkle' that enhances the sweetness of the apple signifies a profound perfection in the bride’s goodness, revealing to her that she holds no greater treasure than herself, for within her lies the foundation of every virtue. Just as the 'sprinkling' encompasses everything that is edible in the thorn, the visible splendor of life illuminates the hidden treasure it possesses. This secret treasure represents the hopes of the soul, manifested through a courageous life, akin to the 'sprinkling' of a particular spike.
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The notion of 'except thy silence' suggests that true praise of you is not merely found in the visible or in what can be articulated, but rather in what remains unspoken, evading expression through words. Silence embodies that which eludes verbal expression, while it is also true that what is conveyed in words can reflect that which exists beyond silence. We often find ourselves silencing what cannot be articulated adequately. Therefore, if we consider what lies beyond words as silence, it logically follows that what transcends silence must be acknowledged as spoken. Thus, the declaration 'except thy silence' powerfully conveys that while what can be shared through words is indeed remarkable, that which exceeds words and is enveloped in silence—transcendent and inexpressible—truly surpasses all that can be articulated.