Song of Solomon 2

1 I [the speaker, the beloved] am a rose [crocus, a type of flower] of Sharon [a plain in Palestine], a lily of the valley [lowland area, a place of humility]. word study 2 Like a lily among the thorns [thistles, unwanted growths] is my darling [beloved companion] among the maidens [daughters, young women of noble character]. word study 3 Like an [apple, citron] apricot tree among the trees of the forest [wood, Jaar] is my beloved [loved one, dear one] among the young men. I delight [take great pleasure, sat down with great delight] to sit in his shade [shadow, protection], and his fruit [the fruit of his love, his presence] is sweet [pleasant, agreeable] to my taste [palate, senses]. word study 4 He has brought [taken, led] me to the house [banqueting house, cellar] of wine [fermented wine, intoxicating drink], and his banner [standard, flag] over me is love [affection, divine love]. word study 5 Sustain me [support, uphold] with raisins [sweet treats, raisin buns]; refresh me [revive, comfort] with apples [fruit, possibly quince], for I am faint [weak, sick] with love [affection, devotion]. word study 6 His left [north, as in geographical direction] hand is under [beneath, in a position of support] my head [upper part of the body], and his right [the right hand or side; the south] arm [embrace, to clasp tightly] embraces [to hold closely, to enfold] me. word study 7 O daughters [women, female children] of Jerusalem [the city of peace], I adjure [solemnly promise, swear an oath] you by the gazelles [beautiful, swift creatures] and does [female deer] of the field [open land, countryside]: Do not arouse [stir up, awaken] or awaken [rouse, excite] love [affection, tender emotion] until [as far as, till] the time [season, moment] is right [pleasing, delightful]. word study 8 Listen [hear the sound]! My beloved [the one I love, dear one] approaches [is coming, draws near]. Look [behold, see]! Here he comes, leaping [jumping, springing] across the mountains [high places, hills], bounding [skipping, jumping] over the hills [small mountains]. word study 9 My beloved [dearly loved one, cherished] is like a gazelle [a beautiful creature] or a young stag [hart, male deer]. Look [behold, see], he stands [is standing upright, firmly] behind our wall [barrier, partition], gazing [looking closely, staring] through the windows [openings, apertures], peering [glancing, looking narrowly] through the lattice [net, screen]. word study 10 My beloved [my love, dear one] calls to me, “Arise [rise up, stand], my darling [my love, my fair one]. Come away with me [come thy way, go with me], my beautiful one [my fair one, lovely]. word study 11 For now [behold, see] the winter [cold season, dark and rainy time] is past [has passed by, gone away]; the rain [shower, refreshing downpour] is over [has changed, stopped] and gone [passed away, slid by quickly]. word study 12 The flowers [blossoms, blooms] have appeared [are visible, have become evident] in the countryside [land, earth]; the season [time, occasion] of singing [song, music] has come [arrived, is present], and the cooing [soft, gentle voice] of turtledoves is heard [perceived, listened to] in our land [country, territory]. word study 13 The fig tree [with its early figs, putteth forth her green figs] ripens its figs; the blossoming [in flower, with tender grape] vines spread their [pleasant, sweet] fragrance. Arise [rise, get up], come away [and come with me], my darling [my love, my fair one]; come away with me, my beautiful [lovely, fair] one.” word study 14 O my dove [my beloved, my dear one] in the clefts [secret places, hiding spots] of the rock [a craggy cliff, a strong and secure place], in the crevices [covert, steep] of the cliff [mountainous terrain], let me see [gaze upon, behold] your face [countenance, appearance], let me hear [listen to, obey] your voice [sound, utterance]; for your voice [sound, utterance] is sweet [pleasant, lovely], and your countenance [face, appearance] is lovely [beautiful, comely]. word study 15 Catch [seize, take hold of] for us the foxes [little jackals, small predators]— the little [small, insignificant] foxes that ruin [destroy, corrupt] the vineyards [gardens, plots of land for growing vines]— for our vineyards [gardens, plots of land] are in bloom [blossom, early stages of growth, flourishing]. word study 16 My beloved [dearly loved one, uncle] is mine and I am his; he pastures [feeds, tends to] his flock among the lilies [flowers]. word study 17 Before [till, until] the day [the light of dawn] breaks and shadows [darkness, fleeting life] flee [quickly disappear], turn [return, come back], my beloved [loved one, dear friend], and be like [resemble, compare to] a gazelle [a beautiful, swift animal] or [as an alternative] a young stag [a young deer, fawn] on [upon, above] the mountains [hills, elevated places] of Bether [a place of separation, cleft]. word study