Song Of Solomon 7:6

KJV

How fair and how pleasant art thou, O love, for delights!

KJV (with Strong's)

How fair {H3302} and how pleasant {H5276} art thou, O love {H160}, for delights {H8588}!

Complete Jewish Bible

How beautiful you are, my love, how charming, how delightful!

Berean Standard Bible

How fair and pleasant you are, O love, with your delights!

American Standard Version

How fair and how pleasant art thou, O love, for delights!

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Song of Solomon 7:6 encapsulates the King's profound admiration and passionate delight in his beloved Shulamite, serving as a climactic declaration that transcends mere physical appreciation. This verse summarizes the detailed physical descriptions preceding it, elevating the King's affection to an encompassing love that finds deep satisfaction and pleasure in the very essence of his beloved. It underscores the reciprocal joy and intimate fulfillment inherent in their relationship, portraying a bond characterized by deep emotional and physical contentment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Song of Solomon 7:6 is strategically positioned as the culmination of the King's effusive praise for the Shulamite woman. The preceding verses, [Song of Solomon 7:1-5](/song_of_solomon/7-1-5 "Song of Solomon 7:1-5 - The King's Admiration of the Shulamite's Beauty"), meticulously detail her physical attributes, moving from her graceful steps to her rounded thighs, navel, belly, breasts, neck, eyes, and nose. This systematic and sensuous cataloging builds a sense of anticipation, leading to verse 6, which transcends a simple physical appraisal. It shifts from objective observation to a deeply subjective, emotional response, signifying that her beauty evokes profound delight and affection. This verse acts as a pivotal transition, setting the stage for the King's subsequent invitation for intimacy and shared experience, as seen in [Song of Solomon 7:11-13](/song_of_solomon/7-11-13 "Song of Solomon 7:11-13 - The King's Invitation to the Vineyards").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Song of Solomon operates within the rich tradition of ancient Near Eastern love poetry, often associated with expressions of marital affection and wedding celebrations. In this cultural milieu, explicit and effusive praise of a spouse's beauty and character was not only acceptable but celebrated as a vital component of a healthy marital union. The vivid descriptions, while sensuous, are deeply rooted in the imagery of the natural world (e.g., "lilies," "gazelles," "pomegranates") and the opulence of royal life, reflecting the common literary conventions of the era. The book uniquely showcases a relationship built on mutual respect, admiration, and desire, challenging modern assumptions about ancient patriarchal societies by giving significant voice and agency to the woman, a dynamic evident in her responses throughout the book, including her declaration in [Song of Solomon 6:3](/song_of_solomon/6-3 "Song of Solomon 6:3 - My Beloved is Mine and I Am His").
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several central themes of the Song of Solomon and broader biblical wisdom literature. Firstly, it highlights **Profound Admiration and Affirmation** within a loving relationship, emphasizing the importance of verbal praise and genuine delight in one's partner's being. Secondly, it speaks to the **Holistic Nature of Love and Beauty**, suggesting that true attraction extends beyond mere physical attributes to encompass character, personality, and the spiritual connection between individuals. The direct address "O love" elevates the beloved to the very embodiment of affection itself. Lastly, the concluding phrase "for delights" underscores the theme of **Mutual Delight and Intimacy**, portraying marriage as a God-ordained context for profound joy, pleasure, and emotional and physical fulfillment, echoing the wisdom found in [Proverbs 5:18-19](/proverbs/5-18-19 "Proverbs 5:18-19 - Rejoice in the Wife of Your Youth").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Fair (Hebrew, _yâphâh'_):** Derived from a primitive root meaning "to be bright," this word signifies beauty or handsomeness, conveying a sense of radiant attractiveness. It emphasizes the visual appeal and pleasing appearance of the beloved, suggesting a captivating aesthetic quality that deeply draws the King's gaze and admiration. It speaks to an inherent, luminous beauty.
* **Pleasant (Hebrew, _nâʻêm'_):** A primitive root meaning "to be agreeable," this term extends beyond mere physical beauty to encompass charm, delightfulness, and a pleasing disposition. It suggests that the beloved is not only beautiful to behold but also possesses an inner quality that makes her agreeable, lovely, and sweet, contributing to the King's overall sense of joy and contentment in her presence.
* **Love (Hebrew, _ʼahăbâh'_):** This feminine noun, meaning "affection (in a good or a bad sense)," here denotes a profound, positive emotional attachment. In this verse, it functions as a direct address to the beloved, personifying her as the very embodiment of love. It signifies the deep, passionate, and committed bond between the King and the Shulamite, highlighting that she is the object and source of his deepest affection and devotion.
* **Delights (Hebrew, _taʻănûwg'_):** This noun, derived from a root meaning "luxury," refers to pleasures, enjoyments, or sources of profound satisfaction. The plural form (implied by the KJV "delights") underscores the manifold joys and profound contentment found within the intimate relationship. It speaks to the deep gratification and happiness that the beloved brings to the King, portraying their union as a source of immense pleasure and fulfillment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"How fair and how pleasant art thou":** This exclamatory phrase expresses the King's overwhelming sense of awe and admiration. "Fair" speaks to her physical beauty, while "pleasant" points to her agreeable character and the overall delight she brings. The repetition of "how" intensifies the declaration, indicating an almost inexpressible degree of captivating charm and loveliness. It is a declaration of profound appreciation for both her outward appearance and her inner qualities that make her so appealing.
* **"O love":** This is a direct, intimate address to the beloved, personifying her as the very essence of love. It elevates the King's perception beyond mere physical attraction to a deep, affectionate, and holistic appreciation of her as the embodiment of his affection. This phrase underscores the profound emotional bond and the King's complete devotion to her, seeing her as the living manifestation of the love they share.
* **"for delights!":** This concluding phrase reveals the ultimate purpose and outcome of her fairness and pleasantness. She is beautiful and agreeable precisely because she is a source of profound joy, pleasure, and satisfaction. It speaks to the mutual fulfillment and deep contentment found within their intimate relationship, where both partners experience immense happiness and gratification in each other's presence, highlighting the richness of their shared experience.

#### Literary Devices
Song of Solomon 7:6 masterfully employs several **Literary Devices** to convey its profound message of love and admiration. The most prominent is **Exclamation**, indicated by the "How...!" construction, which conveys the speaker's overwhelming emotion and awe, emphasizing the depth and intensity of his admiration for the beloved. **Personification** is powerfully evident in the direct address "O love," where the beloved is not merely an object of love but is addressed as if she *is* love itself, embodying the very quality that binds them. This elevates the description beyond the physical to the spiritual and emotional essence of their bond. While not explicitly stated in this single verse, the preceding verses of chapter 7 heavily rely on **Imagery** (e.g., her navel as a rounded goblet, her breasts as clusters of grapes), and this verse serves as a summary of the delightful sensations evoked by that imagery, culminating in the ultimate "delights." Furthermore, the use of **Hyperbole** in "How fair and how pleasant art thou" suggests an almost immeasurable degree of beauty and agreeableness, reflecting the passionate intensity of the King's feelings and his inability to fully quantify her captivating charm.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The Song of Solomon, while a celebration of human love and marital intimacy, has long been interpreted allegorically within Christian tradition as a profound portrayal of God's fervent love for His people, and specifically Christ's love for the Church. In this theological lens, Song of Solomon 7:6 reveals a divine delight in the redeemed, where God finds His people "fair and pleasant" not because of their inherent perfection, but through the beauty of His grace and the righteousness imputed to them through faith. This verse thus speaks to the intimate, joyful, and deeply satisfying relationship God desires with humanity, where He takes profound pleasure in His beloved, and where His presence brings ultimate delight. It underscores the concept of a covenantal love that is both beautiful and deeply satisfying, mirroring the divine-human romance that culminates in eternal communion.

* [Proverbs 5:18](/proverbs/5-18 "Proverbs 5:18 - Rejoice in the Wife of Your Youth")
* [Song of Solomon 2:16](/song_of_solomon/2-16 "Song of Solomon 2:16 - Mutual Possession in Love")
* [Ephesians 5:25](/ephesians/5-25 "Ephesians 5:25 - Husbands, Love Your Wives")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Song of Solomon 7:6 offers timeless wisdom for cultivating healthy and vibrant relationships, particularly within the covenant of marriage. It serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative power of verbal affirmation and genuine appreciation. In a world often quick to criticize or take for granted, this verse calls us to intentionally see and articulate the beauty and pleasantness in our loved ones—not just their physical attributes, but their character, their spirit, and the unique joy they bring into our lives. By actively expressing admiration, we foster an atmosphere of security, value, and mutual delight, strengthening the bonds of affection and intimacy. Furthermore, recognizing the "delights" found in a relationship encourages us to prioritize and cultivate shared joy, making our relationships sources of profound contentment and spiritual nourishment, reflecting the very nature of God's delight in His creation and His people.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How often do I genuinely express admiration and appreciation for the "fairness" and "pleasantness" of those closest to me, especially my spouse?**
* **Beyond physical appearance, what specific qualities or characteristics of my loved ones bring me deep "delights," and how can I better communicate this appreciation?**
* **In what ways can I actively cultivate an atmosphere of joy and "delights" within my significant relationships, mirroring the King's profound satisfaction?**
* **How does understanding God's "delight" in His people (as allegorically suggested by this verse) impact my own sense of self-worth and my relationship with Him?**

### FAQ
**Is Song of Solomon 7:6 primarily about physical beauty?**

Answer: While Song of Solomon 7:6 certainly acknowledges physical beauty ("How fair"), it transcends it by adding "how pleasant" and the address "O love," culminating in "for delights." "Pleasant" suggests agreeable character and charm, while "O love" personifies the beloved as the embodiment of affection itself. The phrase "for delights" points to the profound joy and satisfaction derived from the entire person, encompassing both inner and outer qualities. Thus, the verse celebrates a holistic beauty that includes physical attractiveness but ultimately finds its deepest expression in the beloved's character and the intimate connection shared. The preceding verses, [Song of Solomon 7:1-5](/song_of_solomon/7-1-5 "Song of Solomon 7:1-5 - Description of the Beloved's Beauty"), detail physical attributes, but this verse elevates the King's appreciation to a deeper, more encompassing love.

**How can this verse be applied to relationships outside of marriage?**

Answer: While the primary context of Song of Solomon is marital love, the principles of admiration, appreciation, and finding delight can be broadly applied to all relationships. The verse encourages us to cultivate an appreciative eye, recognizing and affirming the "fairness" (goodness, virtue, positive qualities) and "pleasantness" (agreeableness, joy-bringing presence) in friends, family members, and even colleagues. Expressing genuine appreciation and finding joy in the positive attributes of others fosters stronger bonds, builds community, and enriches all human interactions, reflecting the value God places on each individual. This principle is echoed in passages like [Philippians 4:8](/philippians/4-8 "Philippians 4:8 - Think on These Things"), which encourages focusing on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Song of Solomon 7:6 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ and His relationship with the Church, His beloved Bride. Just as the King expresses overwhelming delight in the Shulamite, so Christ, the ultimate Bridegroom, gazes upon His Church with infinite love and finds her "fair and pleasant," not because of her inherent perfection, but because she is clothed in His righteousness. Through His atoning sacrifice, Christ has cleansed and sanctified His Church, presenting her to Himself "without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless" ([Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25-27 "Ephesians 5:25-27 - Christ's Love for the Church")). His love is the source of her beauty, transforming her into an object of divine "delights." The "delights" spoken of in the verse foreshadow the eternal joy and intimate communion that believers will share with Christ in the new heavens and new earth, culminating in the marriage supper of the Lamb ([Revelation 19:7-9](/revelation/19-7-9 "Revelation 19:7-9 - The Marriage Supper of the Lamb")). In Christ, we are truly seen as beautiful and pleasant, and in Him, we find the ultimate source of all true and lasting delight ([Psalm 16:11](/psalm/16-11 "Psalm 16:11 - Fullness of Joy in God's Presence")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Song Of Solomon 1:15

Behold, thou [art] fair, my love; behold, thou [art] fair; thou [hast] doves' eyes.

Song Of Solomon 1:16

Behold, thou [art] fair, my beloved, yea, pleasant: also our bed [is] green.

Psalms 45:11

So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he [is] thy Lord; and worship thou him.

Song Of Solomon 4:10

How fair is thy love, my sister, [my] spouse! how much better is thy love than wine! and the smell of thine ointments than all spices!

Song Of Solomon 2:14

¶ O my dove, [that art] in the clefts of the rock, in the secret [places] of the stairs, let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet [is] thy voice, and thy countenance [is] comely.

Song Of Solomon 7:10

¶ I [am] my beloved's, and his desire [is] toward me.

Song Of Solomon 4:7

Thou [art] all fair, my love; [there is] no spot in thee.