TRV
Song Of Solomon 3:3
Bible Versions
The watchmen that go about the city found me: [to whom I said], Saw ye him whom my soul loveth?
The guards roaming the city found me. "Have you seen the man I love?"
I encountered the watchmen on their rounds of the city: “Have you seen the one I love?”
The watchmen that go about the city found me; To whom I said, Saw ye him whom my soul loveth?
-
Song Of Solomon 5:7
The watchmen that went about the city found me, they smote me, they wounded me; the keepers of the walls took away my veil from me. -
Isaiah 21:6
For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Go, set a watchman, let him declare what he seeth. -
Isaiah 21:8
And he cried, A lion: My lord, I stand continually upon the watchtower in the daytime, and I am set in my ward whole nights: -
Isaiah 21:11
¶ The burden of Dumah. He calleth to me out of Seir, Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night? -
Isaiah 21:12
The watchman said, The morning cometh, and also the night: if ye will enquire, enquire ye: return, come. -
Ezekiel 33:2
Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman: -
Ezekiel 33:9
Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.
Song of Solomon 3:3 describes a pivotal moment in the Shulamite’s earnest search for her beloved. Having risen from her bed to seek him in the city, she encounters the night watchmen, and her singular focus is immediately revealed by her urgent question about the one "whom my soul loveth."
Context
This verse is part of a dream sequence or a vivid recollection by the Shulamite, detailing her intense longing and search for her beloved. In the ancient Near East, watchmen (`shomerim`) were crucial for the security of a city, patrolling its streets, especially at night. Their encounter with the Shulamite highlights her desperation; she is so consumed by her search that she directly approaches these figures of authority, not fearing them but seeing them as potential sources of information. This scene sets the stage for her eventual reunion, underscoring the depth of her devotion. A similar encounter, albeit with a different outcome, is found in Song of Solomon 5:7, where the watchmen are less sympathetic.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The key phrase, "whom my soul loveth," translates the Hebrew אֵת שֶׁאָהֲבָה נַפְשִׁי (`'et she'ahavah nafshi`). The word nafshi (my soul/my being) emphasizes that her love is not merely superficial or physical, but rather a profound, intrinsic connection that involves her entire self. It speaks to the deepest part of her existence, highlighting a holistic and consuming passion. This expression underscores the depth of her emotional and spiritual attachment.
Practical Application
For believers, Song of Solomon 3:3 can be seen as an allegory for the soul's earnest pursuit of God or Christ. Just as the Shulamite intensely sought her beloved, so too are believers called to love the Lord with all their heart, soul, and mind. This verse encourages a proactive, passionate, and unwavering spiritual quest, even when facing challenges or periods of spiritual dryness. It reminds us that a genuine relationship with the Divine often involves diligent seeking, a readiness to inquire, and a deep, soul-level longing that transcends mere intellectual assent.