Song Of Solomon 3:1

ยถ By night on my bed I sought him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not.

By night {H3915} on my bed {H4904} I sought {H1245} him whom my soul {H5315} loveth {H157}: I sought {H1245} him, but I found {H4672} him not.

Night after night on my bed I looked for the man I love. I looked for him, but I didn't find him.

On my bed at night I sought the one I love; I sought him, but did not find him.

By night on my bed I sought him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not.

Commentary

Song of Solomon 3:1 depicts the Shulamite woman's intense longing and anxious search for her beloved during the night. This verse opens a vivid dream sequence or a deeply felt nocturnal experience, highlighting the profound emotional connection and the distress of temporary separation.

Context

This verse is found within the lyrical book of Song of Solomon, also known as Song of Songs or Canticles, a collection of poetic dialogues celebrating the beauty and passion of romantic love between a man and a woman, often interpreted as King Solomon and the Shulamite. Chapter 3 begins a new segment where the woman recounts a fervent search for her lover after he is not found in their shared bed. This scene parallels a later, similar experience described in Song of Solomon 5:6, emphasizing the recurring theme of seeking and finding her beloved.

Key Themes

  • Passionate Longing and Desire: The phrase "whom my soul loveth" underscores the deep, all-encompassing affection the woman has for her beloved. Her search is driven by an intense emotional need for his presence.
  • Anxious Seeking and Pursuit: The repetition of "I sought him" highlights her earnest and determined efforts to find him, even in the vulnerability and darkness of night. Her failure to find him initially creates a sense of urgency and distress.
  • Temporary Absence and Separation: The "found him not" element introduces a moment of separation, which, though temporary, causes anxiety and underscores the value she places on his presence.
  • Spiritual Allegory: Many theological interpretations view the Song of Solomon as an allegory for the relationship between God and His people (Israel or the Church), or Christ and the individual soul. In this light, the woman's search represents the soul's yearning for communion with God, even during periods when His presence feels distant or hidden. This resonates with other biblical passages describing a soul's deep desire for God, such as Psalm 42:1.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase "whom my soul loveth" (ืึตืช ืฉึถืืึธื”ึฒื‘ึธื” ื ึทืคึฐืฉึดืื™ - 'et she'ahavah nafshi) uses *nafshi*, meaning "my soul" or "my inner being," to convey a love that is profound, personal, and from the very core of her existence, not merely superficial. The verb "sought" (ื‘ึดึผืงึทึผืฉึฐืืชึดึผื™ื• - biqqashtiv) implies a diligent and earnest search, often with a sense of urgency or desperation, further emphasizing the depth of her devotion and concern.

Practical Application

Song of Solomon 3:1 offers several insights for contemporary life:

  • Persistence in Relationships: It models the importance of actively pursuing and valuing those we love, even when facing moments of perceived distance or absence. It encourages persistence in nurturing significant relationships.
  • Spiritual Diligence: For those who apply the allegorical interpretation, the verse encourages a passionate and persistent pursuit of God. Even when God's presence may feel less immediate or during periods of spiritual dryness, the call is to continue seeking Him earnestly, remembering the promise that He will be found by those who seek Him with all their heart.
  • Acknowledging Emotional Vulnerability: The verse acknowledges the natural anxiety and distress that can arise from separation from a deeply loved one, affirming the validity of such intense emotions in genuine love.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Peter 1:8

    Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see [him] not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

  • Song Of Solomon 5:6

    I opened to my beloved; but my beloved had withdrawn himself, [and] was gone: my soul failed when he spake: I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer.

  • Song Of Solomon 1:7

    ยถ 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?

  • Isaiah 55:6

    ยถ Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:

  • Isaiah 26:9

    With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments [are] in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.

  • Psalms 130:1

    ยถ A Song of degrees. Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O LORD.

  • Psalms 130:2

    Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.