The Bride Longs for Her Beloved
Study note
The bride speaks first, expressing her desire for the king's love. In the ancient world, fine wine was one of the greatest pleasures, so saying that his love is better than wine is the highest praise. The 'young women' who love him may refer to the women of the royal court. The bride longs to be drawn close to the king and brought into his private rooms.
1 This is Solomon's greatest song, the most beautiful of all. The song of songs, which is Solomon's.
2 Kiss me over and over! Your love is sweeter than the finest wine. Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine.
3 Your perfume smells incredible. Hearing your name is like catching the scent of something wonderful, and therefore every young woman adores you. Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee.
4 Take my hand and let us run away together! The king has brought me to his private rooms. We will celebrate you with joy and gladness. Your love means more to us than wine. It is only right that everyone is drawn to you. Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee.
The Bride Describes Herself
Study note
The bride speaks to the daughters of Jerusalem, the young women of the city. She is dark-skinned from working outdoors in the sun, tending vineyards for her brothers. She compares her skin to the dark tents of Kedar, a nomadic desert tribe, and to Solomon's beautiful curtains. Though she has cared for others' vineyards, she has not had time to care for herself. She now asks the bridegroom where he tends his flocks.
5 I am dark-skinned and beautiful, daughters of Jerusalem. My skin is dark like the tents of Kedar, yet I am lovely like the curtains of Solomon's palace. I am black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon.
6 Do not stare at me because of my dark skin. The sun has made me this way. My brothers were upset with me and put me to work in their vineyards, so I had no time to look after myself. 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.
7 Tell me, my love, where do you take your flock during the day? Where do they rest when the sun is at its highest? I do not want to wander around searching for you among the flocks of your friends. Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon: for why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions?
The Bridegroom Praises the Bride
Study note
The bridegroom answers her question and then praises her beauty. Comparing a woman to a fine horse among Pharaoh's chariots was a great compliment in the ancient Near East, since royal horses were the most prized and elegant animals. He notices the jewelry on her cheeks and neck and promises to make her even more beautiful ornaments of gold and silver.
8 If you do not know where to find him, most beautiful of women, follow the path the sheep have taken. Bring your young goats and graze them near the shepherds' camps. If thou know not, O thou fairest among women, go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock, and feed thy kids beside the shepherds' tents.
9 My darling, you are as stunning as the finest horse in Pharaoh's royal chariot team. I have compared thee, O my love, to a company of horses in Pharaoh's chariots.
10 Your cheeks are radiant with rows of sparkling jewels, and your neck is gorgeous draped in gold chains. Thy cheeks are comely with rows of jewels, thy neck with chains of gold.
11 We will craft gold earrings for you with gleaming silver accents. We will make thee borders of gold with studs of silver.
The Lovers Delight in Each Other
Study note
The bride and groom speak back and forth, each praising the other with images of precious perfumes and beautiful nature. Nard, myrrh, and henna were costly fragrances in the ancient world. En-gedi was a lush oasis in the desert near the Dead Sea, known for its beauty. The 'doves' eyes' suggest gentleness and purity. Their home together is described as a peaceful place surrounded by nature.
12 While the king relaxes at his table, the scent of my perfume fills the whole room. While the king sitteth at his table, my spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof.
13 My beloved is like a small bag of myrrh that I carry close to my heart through the whole night. A bundle of myrrh is my wellbeloved unto me; he shall lie all night betwixt my breasts.
14 My loved one is like a bunch of henna flowers. They grow in the gardens of En-gedi. My beloved is unto me as a cluster of camphire in the vineyards of En-gedi.
15 You are so beautiful, my love! So truly beautiful! Your eyes are as gentle and tender as doves. Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves' eyes.
16 And you, my beloved, are so handsome, so wonderful! The soft green grass beneath us is our bed. Behold, thou art fair, my beloved, yea, pleasant: also our bed is green.
17 Cedar trees form the beams of our home, and fir trees make up our ceiling. The beams of our house are cedar, and our rafters of fir.