The Bride’s answer to the questions from the Daughters of Jerusalem is found in verses 10-16.

Her First Observation is, “My beloved is… the chiefest among ten thousand” (Song of Solomon 5:10). The Bride now gives the reasons why her Beloved is “the chiefest among ten thousand,” or among all others.

Her first reason is his Complexion; his coloring and his complexion. She says, “white and ruddy.” Ruddy means red, so “white and red”; which indicate a healthy person. Rosy cheeks (as in 1 Samuel 16:12) explain our phrase here in Song of Solomon 5:10. This same word, “ruddy,” was used in speaking of David as a young man as Samuel anointed him, “… Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to…” (1 Samuel 16:12). Therefore, the Bride was saying, my Beloved is “goodly to look to,” he is physically handsome. Of course physical beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. What is handsome to one woman, is not necessarily so to another woman. It is how the Bride perceives her Beloved.

There are many factors which cause a woman to see one particular man in a special way that attracts her to that one man out of all the men she has ever seen or been around. This attraction is a mystery in the physical realm. There is not enough paper, ink, and time to list all the possible reasons to explain this mystery. But the first thing a woman sees is his complexion.

The Bride’s second reason is shown in his Connection. This is the next thing she sees; how his outward traits are connected to form his outward body appearance. This outward body appearance is described in verses 11-16a; his head, his locks (his hair), his eyes, his cheeks, his lips, his hands, his belly, his legs, and his mouth.

The writer of Song of Solomon lists the parts of her Beloved’s body that attracts her to him above all others (5:11-16a). Again, the writer describes the Beloved’s body parts in highly figurative language; using similes, metaphors, and hyperboles to explain his entire outward physical look. (Please study verses 11-16a closely; and ask the Holy Spirit to give illumination as to the spiritual significance to these figures of speech.)

Then for her third reason, the Bride speaks of his Countenance. His countenance deals with his outward appearance, but with a defining statement of his inward man. This is seen in his posture; how he stands and holds his entire frame. It is also seen in his facial expressions; much can be seen by observing the lines in a man’s face. The lines, whether drawn tight or relaxed, relate his inner personality and his present thoughts. His countenance also includes his eyes; which are the windows into the spirit of a man. The expression radiated in a man’s eyes gives out an unspoken language; unspoken, yet clearly understood; as to passion, joy, anger, satisfaction, etc.

The Second Observation by the bride is, “…he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem” (verse 16).

The Bride has just explained his complexion, his connection, and his countenance. She now sums it all up by saying, “he is altogether lovely.” This speaks of his body, soul, and spirit; it speaks of his entire being, or entire person. It speaks of her view, which can only be seen by her.

So it is in the spiritual, only those born from above have the ability to discern, or perceive, the Beauty of Christ. What the Bride of Christ perceives is Christ’s Glory; which is His Holiness (Isaiah 6:1-2); His Righteousness; His Perfection; His Position as God Himself, His Glory (John 17:1-5, 24).

The Bride of Christ sees Christ, her Beloved, as the Chiefest of ten thousand; she sees His Preeminence, His Glory, His Power.

The Bride sees Christ in all of His Office Works as that Prophet; the Great High Priest; the Sacrifice for sins; the Substitute for sinners; the Savior of sinners; and King of kings and Lord of lords.

The Bride sees her position “in Christ”; as His Seed (or His Chosen, His Elect People); as wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption:

“But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:” (1 Corinthians 1:30)

She sees she was foreknown; predestinated to be conformed to His Image; called; justified; and glorified (Romans 8:29-30). Therefore, she sees her security for now, today, tomorrow, forever, and always – in Christ, Who is Love (Romans 8:31-39; 1 John 4:8).

The Bride also sees herself as His Body, as His Wife (Ephesians 5:22-33); as One with Him (in body, soul, and spirit).

In fact the Bride sees Christ as no other; for there is no other God beside Christ. He alone is her Creator, her Controller, and her Consummator. For He alone is God and beside Him there is no other.

And finally, the Bride of Christ sees Him as her Friend (John 15:15); for Christ has told her the Plan and Purpose of God in Himself. She now knows His Will for her is to become One with Him, as an heir of God and even as a joint-heir of Jesus Christ. If she is an heir of God, and Christ was God in the Flesh (which He was; John 1:1-3, 14; 1 Timothy 3:16a); then she is a joint-heir with Christ; meaning she will be One with Him, and Behold His Glory, and be part of His Glory:

“That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.” (John 17:21)

“And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:” (John 17:22)

“I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.” (John 17:23)

“Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.” (John 17:24)

Yes, He is “altogether lovely.” That is, all of Him is Lovely; His Eternal Purpose as manifested in Christ Jesus, the God-Man; our Representative, our Savior. Yes:

“This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.”

Reader, is Christ altogether lovely to you? If not, why is He not?