The Song of Solomon, also known as the Song of Songs, is a unique and poetic book in the Bible that celebrates the beauty of love and desire between a bride and her bridegroom. Traditionally attributed to King Solomon, the book uses rich and metaphorical language to depict the passionate and romantic relationship between the lovers. The Song of Solomon has been interpreted both allegorically, representing the divine love between God and His people, and literally, as a celebration of human love. The imagery, vivid and evocative, draws readers into a lyrical journey exploring the depth and intensity of love, making it a unique contribution to the biblical canon.
Song of Solomon 1: Expressions of Love
[1:1] The Song of Songs, which is Solomon’s.
[1:2] Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth— for your love is more delightful than wine.
[1:3] Pleasing is the fragrance of your perfumes; your name is like perfume poured out. No wonder the young women love you!
[1:4] Take me away with you—let us hurry! Let the king bring me into his chambers.
[1:5] Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you: Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires.
[1:6] Who is this coming up from the wilderness like a column of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and incense made from all the spices of the merchant?
[1:7] Look! It is Solomon’s carriage, escorted by sixty warriors, the noblest of Israel,
[1:8] all of them wearing the sword, all experienced in battle, each with his sword at his side, prepared for the terrors of the night.
[1:9] King Solomon made for himself the carriage; he made it of wood from Lebanon.
[1:10] Its posts he made of silver, its base of gold. Its seat was upholstered with purple, its interior inlaid with love. Daughters of Jerusalem,
[1:11] come out, and look, you daughters of Zion. Look on King Solomon wearing a crown, the crown with which his mother crowned him on the day of his wedding, the day his heart rejoiced.
Song of Solomon 2: Love’s Delight
[2:1] I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys.
[2:2] Like a lily among thorns is my darling among the young women.
[2:3] Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest is my beloved among the young men. I delight to sit in his shade, and his fruit is sweet to my taste.
[2:4] Let him lead me to the banquet hall, and let his banner over me be love.
[2:5] Strengthen me with raisins, refresh me with apples, for I am faint with love.
[2:6] His left arm is under my head, and his right arm embraces me.
[2:7] Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you by the gazelles and by the does of the field: Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires.
[2:8] Listen! My beloved! Look! Here he comes, leaping across the mountains, bounding over the hills.
[2:9] My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag. Look! There he stands behind our wall, gazing through the windows, peering through the lattice.
The Song of Solomon opens with passionate expressions of love and desire, using vivid and enchanting imagery. The poetic dialogue between the bride and the bridegroom unfolds as a celebration of love’s beauty, capturing the depth of emotion and intimacy between the lovers. As the Song progresses, it weaves a tapestry of romantic and metaphorical language, inviting readers to explore the various facets of love’s delight.