Why does it say "Mashcheni Acharecha Narutzah"?
Rashi: I heard a hint from your Sheluchim that you said to draw me [to you]. I will run to be your wife!
Rashi according to the metaphor: Yisrael remind Hashem of their nuptial love "Chesed Ne'urayich Ahavas Kelulosayich Lechtech Acharai ba'Midbar b'Eretz Lo Zeru'a" (Yirmeyah 2:2). They went "b'Eretz Tziyah v'Tzalmaves" (ibid., 6), "v'Gam Tzedah Lo Asu Lahen" (Shemos 12:39). They believed in Him and His Shali'ach. They did not say 'how will we go to a Midbar? It is not a place of crops and food!'
Seforno: Guide me in your Emes and teach me. This is like "Acharei Hashem Elokeichem Telechu" (Devarim 13:5). We will run in the way of Your Mitzvos, amidst Simchah to do Your will.
Malbim (Melitzah): Draw and take me out of this incarceration, i.e. physicality that covers and separates between me and Divine visions. This will be via an influence of Nevu'ah. Then, when the Ru'ach rests on me, I will easily separate from the body (Chadrei Shlomo). After You draw me to spiritual clinging, we will run after You, i.e. I and my young friends (intellectual powers). Now, the intellect is still sunk in physicality. [The Yesod of] earth weighs down and blocks their motion. Understanding via investigation goes from level to level, via compensations. Understanding via Nevu'ah, when physicality separates from the Nefesh, is different. Everything is understood simply, very quickly.
Malbim (Mashal): Take me out of this incarceration, from Chadrei Shlomo, and then I will be free, and see You face to face.
How did "Hevi'ani ha'Melech Chadarav"?
Rashi according to the metaphor: He surrounded them with His clouds.
Seforno: This is via the tales of Ma'ase Bereishis and others, with sensory and intellectual wonders via which He informed the intended purpose from us.
Malbim (Melitzah): The great king who surrounded Yerushalayim, i.e. arousal and the Yetzer that rules over the body, incarcerated me in his rooms 1 . I cannot go out to my beloved; I cannot understand Hashem and His Emes with a clear, true intellect. The king took me for a concubine, and my youths for slaves, to use them as he desires.
Malbim, citing Raya Mehemna Pinchas 247: At a time of darkness, when the Yetzer ha'Ra covers light (the Yetzer Tov).
How will we recall your love?
Rashi: Also today that I am a widow in my husband's lifetime, I always remember your first love, more than any pleasure and Simchah.
Why or when will we rejoice in you?
Rashi: It is also today, recalling that I [previously] clung to you!
Rashi according to the metaphor: Also today they rejoice in Him, in spite of their poverty and affliction, and delight in His Torah.
Seforno: It is because You are Elokim to us.
Malbim (Melitzah): When You will draw me out of incarceration, via an influence of Nevu'ah. Gil is sudden Simchah over a new Divine light over it. Simchah is constant Simchah afterwards, when the light persists and does not depart.
Malbim (Mashal): Our Simchah in You Yourself is greater than the Simchah of Chadrei Shlomo, which is only imagined.
Why does it say "Nazkirah Dodecha mi'Yayin"?
Malbim (Melitzah): Spiritual wine delights Neshamos via prophetic understanding. Via it, bodily powers are nullified, like via wine. This will be a constant Simchah, unlike physical wine, which [after it wears off] is followed by sadness.
What is the meaning of "Meisharim Ahevucha"?
Rashi: This is a strong love, love of straightness without crookedness - "v'Hayah he'Akov l'Mishor" (Yeshayah 40:4). I and my fathers loved you in those days.
Malbim (Melitzah): All love of the king (the Yetzer ha'Ra and worldly desire) is not straight. People do not love them for themselves, only they are intermediaries to other matters. Also the other matter is not loved for itself. E.g. if one loves money in order to buy gold Kelim and gems, and he loves the Kelim for via them he is honored. He loves honor for via it, his words are heeded. Similarly, one who loves money in order to buy meat and wine, and he loves the meat and wine in order to strengthen the body, and he loves the body in order to live many days. What is the purpose of his life?! Love of Hashem is different. It is straight love. He loves Him due to Hashem Himself, for He is good. The Nefesh clings to Him intrinsically and naturally, like a part clings to the whole.
Malbim (Mashal): Love of Shlomo is not of him himself, only of the pleasure and benefit. Love of You is due to Your level.
