Look not upon me, because I am black, because the sun hath looked upon me: my mother’s children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept.
Look not upon me, because I [am] black, because the sun hath looked upon me: my mother's children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; [but] my own vineyard have I not kept. (i) Consider not the Church by the outward appearance. (k) The corruption of nature through sin and afflictions. (l) My own brethren who should have most favoured me.
Sol 1:6 Shulamith now explains, to those who were looking upon her with inquisitive wonder, how it is that she is swarthy: 6a Look not on me because I am black, Because the sun has scorched me. If the words were בי (תּראינה) אל־תּראוּ, then the meaning would be: look not at me, stare not at me.