Song of Solomon1

The chapter opens with the Shulamite woman expressing her fervent desire for the king's love, which she finds more delightful than wine, and acknowledging his drawing power. She describes herself as dark-skinned from working in the vineyards but inherently beautiful, then seeks her beloved shepherd. The chapter concludes with the lovers exchanging tender praises, marveling at each other's fairness and the pleasantness of their shared intimacy.

Title and Introduction to the Song

1
The Song of Songs, that is Solomon's.

The Bride's Yearning for Intimacy

2
Let him kiss me with kisses of his mouth, For better are thy loves than wine.
3
For fragrance are thy perfumes good. Perfume emptied out--thy name, Therefore have virgins loved thee!
4
Draw me: after thee we run, The king hath brought me into his inner chambers, We do joy and rejoice in thee, We mention thy loves more than wine, Uprightly they have loved thee!

Self-Awareness and Beauty

5
Dark am I, and comely, daughters of Jerusalem, As tents of Kedar, as curtains of Solomon.
6
Fear me not, because I am very dark, Because the sun hath scorched me, The sons of my mother were angry with me, They made me keeper of the vineyards, My vineyard--my own--I have not kept.

Seeking the Beloved

7
Declare to me, thou whom my soul hath loved, Where thou delightest, Where thou liest down at noon, For why am I as one veiled, By the ranks of thy companions?

Guidance and Reassurance

8
If thou knowest not, O fair among women, Get thee forth by the traces of the flock, And feed thy kids by the shepherds' dwellings!

Praise of the Bride's Beauty

9
To my joyous one in chariots of Pharaoh, I have compared thee, my friend,
10
Comely have been thy cheeks with garlands, Thy neck with chains.
11
Garlands of gold we do make for thee, With studs of silver!

Mutual Delight and Affection

12
While the king is in his circle, My spikenard hath given its fragrance.
13
A bundle of myrrh is my beloved to me, Between my breasts it lodgeth.
14
A cluster of cypress is my beloved to me, In the vineyards of En-Gedi!

Mutual Admiration Expressed

15
Lo, thou art fair, my friend, Lo, thou art fair, thine eyes are doves!
16
Lo, thou art fair, my love, yea, pleasant, Yea, our couch is green,

A Home Built on Love

17
The beams of our houses are cedars, Our rafters are firs, I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys!
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