Spurgeon's Song of Song Survey
Song of Songs – Altogether Lovely
Altogether Lovely
Song of Solomon 5:16
Pastor’s Opening
When the old Puritan minister had delivered his discourse, and dwelt upon firstly, and secondly, and thirdly, and perhaps upon twenty-fifthly, before he sat down he usually gave a comprehensive summary of all that he had spoken. Every one who carefully noted the summary would carry away the essence of the sermon. The summary was always looked upon by the Puritan hearer as one of the most valuable helps to memory, and consequently a most important part of the discourse. In these five words the spouse here gives you her summary. She had delivered a tenfold discourse concerning her Lord; she had described in detail all his various beauties, and when she had surveyed him from head to foot, she gathered up all her commendations in this sentence: “Yea, he is altogether lovely.”
Chapter Citation and Verse
Song of Solomon 5:16
“Yea, he is altogether lovely.”
Keys to the Verse(s)
He: Jesus Christ/Bridegroom
Speaker: Bride/Church/Individual
Introduction/Prayer
I want a heart prepared of the Holy Ghost, upon whose fleshy tablets there shall be written this morning no other sentence than this, and this shall suffice for a right royal motto to adorn it well: “Yea, he is altogether lovely.” Spirit of God, find out the prepared heart, and with thy sacred hand write in eternal characters the love of Christ, and all his inimitable perfections.
Main Theme(s)
I. We shall consider THREE POINTS OF CHARACTER which are very noticeable in these words, and the first which suggests itself is this: The words were uttered by one –
- Under the influence of overwhelming emotion.
- Gave Christ undivided affection, and
- Showed ardent devotion.
II. Thus I have shown you the characteristics of the text, and now I desire to USE IT IN THREE WAYS FOR PRACTICAL PURPOSES. The Christian must –
- Be like him, and model Christ as a Christian.
- See the lowliness of Christ, and yet “he is altogether lovely,.” and
