Song of Solomon 1

1 This is Solomon’s [the king of Israel] Song [a musical expression] of Songs [the most beautiful, the greatest]. word study 2 Let him kiss [touch, caress] me with the kisses [signs of affection] of his mouth [lips, edge of something]! For your love [beloved, strong affection] is more delightful [pleasant, beneficial] than wine [fermented drink, intoxication]. word study 3 The fragrance [sweet aroma, pleasant smell] of your perfume [special oil, cologne] is pleasing [good, beneficial]; your name [reputation, character] is like perfume [oil, ointment] poured out [emptied, spread forth]. No wonder [it is so, therefore] the maidens [young women, virgins] adore [love, have affection for] you. word study 4 Take me away with you—let us hurry [with swift and eager footsteps]! May the king [the royal ruler, the sovereign] bring me to his chambers [private and intimate rooms]. The Friends We will rejoice [with joyful and triumphant celebration] and delight [take great pleasure] in you; we will praise [extol and magnify] your love [deep affection, tender devotion] more than wine [intoxicating drink]. The Bride It is only right [just and fitting] that they adore [love and cherish deeply] you. word study 5 I [black as the tents] am dark [black, having a dark complexion], yet lovely [comely, beautiful], O daughters [female children, women] of Jerusalem [the city of peace], like the tents [nomadic dwellings] of Kedar [a tribe of nomadic people], like the curtains [hangings, drapes] of Solomon [a king of Israel, known for wisdom]. word study 6 Do not stare [look not upon me, gaze not at me] because I am dark [black, swarthy, blackish], for the sun [the celestial body] has gazed upon me [scorched me, looked upon me]. My mother’s sons [brothers, descendants] were angry [incensed, scorched] with me; they made me a keeper [guardian, caretaker] of the vineyards [gardens, plots of land], but my own vineyard [garden, plot of land] I have neglected [not kept, failed to protect]. word study 7 Tell me, O one I love [whom my soul loveth, deeply cherished], where do you pasture [feed, tend to] your sheep? Where do you rest [lie down, stretch out] them at midday [noon, when the sun is high]? Why should I be like a veiled [covered, hidden] woman beside the flocks [herds, groups] of your companions [friends, fellow shepherds]? word study 8 If you do not know [are unaware, lack understanding], O fairest [most beautiful, lovely] of women, follow [go after, track] the tracks [footsteps, paths] of the flock [sheep, herd], and graze [feed, tend] your young goats [kids, lambs] near [beside, close to] the tents [tabernacles, dwellings] of the shepherds [those who care for, tend]. word study 9 I compare [to resemble, liken] you, my darling [female companion, beloved], to a mare [company of horses, steed] among Pharaoh’s [the king of Egypt’s] chariots [vehicles, teams of horses]. word study 10 Your cheeks [comely, lovely to look at] are beautiful [lovely, pleasant] with ornaments [jewels, adornments], your neck with strings [chains, plaits] of jewels [beads, pearls]. word study 11 We will make you ornaments [garlands, borders] of gold [valuable, brilliant], studded [inlaid, decorated] with beads [small rounded ornaments, studs] of silver [precious, wealth]. word study 12 While the king [sitting, reigning] was at his table [surrounds, divan], my perfume [nard, spikenard] spread its fragrance [aroma, pleasant scent] [giving off, sending forth]. word study 13 My beloved [dearly loved one, my wellbeloved] is to me a sachet [bundle, cluster] of myrrh [a bitter resin, perfume] resting [lying, lodging] between [in the midst of] my breasts [the seat of affection, love]. word study 14 My beloved [dearly loved one, uncle] is to me a cluster [bunch, group] of henna blossoms [camphire, fragrant flowers] in the vineyards [gardens, plots of land] of En-gedi [fount of the kid, a town by the Dead Sea]. word study 15 How [truly, exceedingly] beautiful [fair, lovely, pleasant] you are, my [beloved] darling [female companion, maiden]! Oh, how [exceedingly] very beautiful [fair, lovely]! Your [thine] eyes [sources of sight] are like [as gentle as, comparable to] doves [pigeons]. word study 16 How handsome [beautiful, lovely] you are, my beloved [dearly loved one, uncle]! Oh, how delightful [pleasant, sweet]! The soft [green, lush] grass is our bed [couch, place of rest]. word study 17 The beams [structural frame, main supports] of our house [dwelling place, family home] are cedars [strong and durable trees]; our rafters [upper structural parts, roof supports] are fragrant [pleasantly scented, aromatic] firs [evergreen trees, cypress]. word study