2:2 Jerusalem. In Hebrew cities are personified as feminine (7:29 note).

devotion. On the Hebrew word (h.esed), see Ps. 36:5 note.

youth . . . bride. Israel’s early relationship with the Lord in the wilderness after the exodus from Egypt is remembered as pure and devoted, like a bride’s with her groom. See Hos. 2:14–16 for a similar image.