I am dark, but lovely, O you daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon.
All Commentaries on Song of Songs 1:5 Go To Song of Songs 1
Caesarius of Arles
AD 542
It is said concerning the church of the Gentiles, “I am dark and beautiful, O daughter of Jerusalem.” Why is the church dark and beautiful? She is dark by nature, beautiful by grace. Why dark? “Indeed, in guilt was I born, and in sin my mother conceived me.” Why beautiful? “Cleanse me of sin with hyssop, that I may be purified; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.”