Song of Solomon 7
BSBAdmiration by the Bridegroom
1How beautiful are your sandaled feet,
O daughter of the prince!
The curves of your thighs are like jewels,
the handiwork of a master.
2Your navel is a rounded goblet;
it never lacks blended wine.
Your waist is a mound of wheat
encircled by the lilies.
3Your breasts are like two fawns,
twins of a gazelle.
4Your neck is like a tower
made of ivory;
your eyes are like the pools of Heshbon
by the gate of Bath-rabbim;
your nose is like the tower of Lebanon,
facing toward Damascus.
5Your head crowns you like Mount Carmel,
the hair of your head like purple threads;
the king is captured in your tresses.
6How fair and pleasant you are,
O love, with your delights!
7Your stature is like a palm tree;
your breasts are clusters of fruit.
8I said, “I will climb the palm tree;
I will take hold of its fruit.”
May your breasts be like clusters of the vine,
the fragrance of your breath like apples,
9and your mouth a like the finest wine.
The Bride
May it flow smoothly to my beloved,
gliding gently over lips and teeth.b
10I belong to my beloved,
and his desire is for me.
11Come, my beloved,
let us go to the countryside;
let us spend the night among the wildflowers.c
12Let us go early to the vineyards
to see if the vine has budded,
if the blossom has opened,
if the pomegranates are in bloom—
there I will give you my love.
13The mandrakes send forth a fragrance,
and at our door is every delicacy,
new as well as old,
that I have treasured up for you, my beloved.
Footnotes
9a Hebrew palate
9b LXX, Syriac, and Vulgate; Hebrew gliding gently over lips as we sleep
11c Or among the henna blossoms or in the villages
Study Notes — Song of Solomon 7
- Chapter Summary
- Context for the Chapter
- Heart Application
- What Does This Chapter Mean?
- Voices from the Church
- Outline for Preaching
- Core Doctrines
- Lessons from Song of Solomon 7
- Themes from Song of Solomon 7
- Questions for Meditation
- Detailed Chapter Outline
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Top Cross References
- Sermons on Song of Solomon 7
- Matthew Henry Commentary
- What Do You Notice?
Chapter Summary
The chapter begins with the beloved describing her lover's beauty, comparing him to a majestic tree and praising his strength and majesty (Song of Solomon 7:1-5). She then expresses her desire to be with him, to gaze upon his face and to be intimate with him (Song of Solomon 7:6-10). The lover responds by praising the beloved's beauty, comparing her to a garden and a fountain (Song of Solomon 7:11-13). The chapter concludes with a expression of mutual love and desire, as the two lovers long to be together and to enjoy each other's company (Song of Solomon 7:14). Throughout the chapter, the language is rich and poetic, conveying the depth and passion of the lovers' relationship.
Context for the Chapter
This chapter of Song of Solomon is part of a larger poetic exploration of the nature of godly love and relationships. The book as a whole is a collection of poems and songs that celebrate the beauty and joy of love, and this chapter is a key part of that celebration. In the larger biblical narrative, the book of Song of Solomon is often seen as a reflection of God's love for His people, and this chapter's themes of beauty, love, and desire are central to that reflection.
Heart Application
This chapter invites readers to reflect on the nature of true love and relationships, and to consider how their own relationships might be characterized by the beauty, joy, and mutual desire that are described in the chapter. It also encourages readers to consider the ways in which their relationships might reflect or foreshadow Christ's love for the church.
What Does This Chapter Mean?
This chapter of Song of Solomon is a beautiful celebration of the joy and beauty of godly love and relationships. It describes the lovers' praise of each other's beauty and their desire for each other, and it highlights the idea that true love is a mutual and reciprocal relationship. The chapter's themes and language also foreshadow Christ's love for the church, in which believers are called to abide in Him and to experience the fullness of joy (Song of Solomon 7:10, John 15:1-17).
Voices from the Church
“The Song of Solomon is a book of poetry that celebrates the beauty and joy of love, and it is a powerful reminder of the ways in which our relationships can reflect or foreshadow Christ's love for the church.”
— Charles Spurgeon
“The chapter's emphasis on mutual love and desire is a key part of its celebration of the beauty and joy of relationships, and it highlights the idea that true love is a reciprocal relationship in which both partners desire and belong to each other.”
— John Calvin
Outline for Preaching
- The Beloved's Praise of Her Lover's Beauty (7:1-5) — The beloved describes her lover's beauty, comparing him to a majestic tree and praising his strength and majesty.
- The Beloved's Expression of Desire (7:6-10) — The beloved expresses her desire to be with her lover, to gaze upon his face and to be intimate with him.
- The Lover's Praise of the Beloved's Beauty (7:11-13) — The lover responds by praising the beloved's beauty, comparing her to a garden and a fountain.
- The Mutual Expression of Love and Desire (7:14) — The chapter concludes with a mutual expression of love and desire, as the two lovers long to be together and to enjoy each other's company.
- Conclusion (7:14) — The chapter ends with a final expression of the lovers' desire for each other, highlighting the idea that true love is a mutual and reciprocal relationship.
Core Doctrines
- The Doctrine of Love
- This chapter teaches that true love is a mutual and reciprocal relationship, in which both partners desire and belong to each other.
- The Doctrine of Beauty
- The chapter emphasizes the idea that true beauty is not just physical, but also inner and spiritual.
- The Doctrine of Desire
- The chapter highlights the idea that true love is characterized by a deep and abiding longing for each other.
- The Doctrine of Belonging
- The chapter teaches that true love is characterized by a sense of belonging and devotion to each other.
Lessons from Song of Solomon 7
- The Importance of Mutual Love and Desire — The chapter teaches that true love is a mutual and reciprocal relationship, in which both partners desire and belong to each other.
- The Beauty of Godly Love — The chapter emphasizes the idea that true love is a beautiful and joyful thing, and that it reflects the beauty and joy of God's love for us.
- The Importance of Intimacy and Closeness — The chapter highlights the importance of intimacy and closeness in relationships, and the need for couples to prioritize time together and to nurture their love for each other.
- The Foreshadowing of Christ's Love — The chapter's language and themes foreshadow Christ's love for the church, in which believers are called to abide in Him and to experience the fullness of joy.
- The Application of the Chapter's Teachings — Readers can apply the chapter's teachings to their own relationships and experiences of love, by prioritizing mutual love and desire, intimacy and closeness, and by seeking to reflect the beauty and joy of God's love in their own relationships.
Themes from Song of Solomon 7
- The Theme of Love — The chapter explores the nature of true love and relationships, highlighting the importance of mutual desire and belonging.
- The Theme of Beauty — The chapter emphasizes the idea that true beauty is not just physical, but also inner and spiritual.
- The Theme of Desire — The chapter highlights the idea that true love is characterized by a deep and abiding longing for each other.
- The Theme of Belonging — The chapter teaches that true love is characterized by a sense of belonging and devotion to each other.
- The Theme of Intimacy and Closeness — The chapter highlights the importance of intimacy and closeness in relationships, and the need for couples to prioritize time together and to nurture their love for each other.
Questions for Meditation
- What does the chapter teach about the nature of true love and relationships?
- How does the chapter's language and themes foreshadow Christ's love for the church?
- What does the chapter teach about the importance of mutual desire and belonging in relationships?
- How can readers apply the chapter's teachings to their own relationships and experiences of love?
- What does the chapter teach about the relationship between love and beauty?
Detailed Chapter Outline
1. The Beloved's Praise of Her Lover's Beauty (7:1-5)
| 7:1 | The beloved describes her lover's beauty, comparing him to a majestic tree and praising his strength and majesty. |
| 7:2 | The beloved continues to praise her lover's beauty, highlighting his eyes and his hair. |
| 7:3 | The beloved praises her lover's lips and his voice, emphasizing the idea that his words are sweet and desirable. |
| 7:4 | The beloved compares her lover's neck to a tower of ivory, highlighting the idea that he is strong and majestic. |
| 7:5 | The beloved concludes her praise of her lover's beauty, emphasizing the idea that he is a majestic and beautiful person. |
2. The Beloved's Expression of Desire (7:6-10)
| 7:6 | The beloved expresses her desire to be with her lover, to gaze upon his face and to be intimate with him. |
| 7:7 | The beloved continues to express her desire, highlighting the idea that she longs to be with her lover and to enjoy his company. |
| 7:8 | The beloved compares her lover to a cluster of grapes, emphasizing the idea that he is sweet and desirable. |
| 7:9 | The beloved expresses her desire to be with her lover, to drink from the cup of his love and to be filled with his sweetness. |
| 7:10 | The beloved concludes her expression of desire, emphasizing the idea that she belongs to her lover and that his desire is for her. |
3. The Lover's Praise of the Beloved's Beauty (7:11-13)
| 7:11 | The lover responds by praising the beloved's beauty, comparing her to a garden and a fountain. |
| 7:12 | The lover continues to praise the beloved's beauty, highlighting the idea that she is a garden filled with sweet and desirable fruits. |
| 7:13 | The lover concludes his praise of the beloved's beauty, emphasizing the idea that she is a beautiful and desirable person. |
4. The Mutual Expression of Love and Desire (7:14)
| 7:14 | The chapter concludes with a mutual expression of love and desire, as the two lovers long to be together and to enjoy each other's company. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main theme of this chapter?
The main theme of this chapter is the beauty and joy of godly love and relationships, and the idea that true love is a mutual and reciprocal relationship in which both partners desire and belong to each other (Song of Solomon 7:10).
How does the chapter's language and themes foreshadow Christ's love for the church?
The chapter's language and themes foreshadow Christ's love for the church by emphasizing the idea of mutual love and desire, and by highlighting the idea that true love is a beautiful and joyful thing (Song of Solomon 7:6-10, John 15:1-17).
What does the chapter teach about the importance of intimacy and closeness in relationships?
The chapter highlights the importance of intimacy and closeness in relationships, and the need for couples to prioritize time together and to nurture their love for each other (Song of Solomon 7:6-10).
Top Cross References
| Reference | Connection | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Song of Solomon 7:1 → Psalm 45:11 | The beloved's praise of her lover's beauty is reminiscent of the psalmist's praise of the king's beauty in Psalm 45:11. |
| 2 | Song of Solomon 7:6 → John 15:1-17 | The beloved's expression of desire to be with her lover is similar to the idea of abiding in Christ and experiencing the fullness of joy in John 15:1-17. |
| 3 | Song of Solomon 7:10 → Ephesians 5:25-27 | The beloved's sense of belonging to her lover is similar to the idea of believers belonging to Christ and being desired by Him in Ephesians 5:25-27. |
| 4 | Song of Solomon 7:11 → Isaiah 58:11 | The lover's praise of the beloved's beauty is reminiscent of the idea of the garden of the Lord in Isaiah 58:11. |
| 5 | Song of Solomon 7:12 → John 4:14 | The lover's comparison of the beloved to a garden and a fountain is similar to the idea of the living water that quenches thirst in John 4:14. |
| 6 | Song of Solomon 7:13 → Psalm 16:11 | The lover's conclusion of his praise of the beloved's beauty is reminiscent of the idea of the beauty and joy of the Lord's presence in Psalm 16:11. |
| 7 | Song of Solomon 7:14 → 1 John 4:19 | The mutual expression of love and desire is similar to the idea of loving because God first loved us in 1 John 4:19. |
| 8 | Song of Solomon 7:1-5 → Psalm 45:1-5 | The beloved's praise of her lover's beauty is reminiscent of the psalmist's praise of the king's beauty in Psalm 45:1-5. |
| 9 | Song of Solomon 7:6-10 → John 17:22-24 | The beloved's expression of desire to be with her lover is similar to the idea of the unity and love of the Father and the Son in John 17:22-24. |
| 10 | Song of Solomon 7:11-13 → Isaiah 51:3 | The lover's praise of the beloved's beauty is reminiscent of the idea of the garden of the Lord in Isaiah 51:3. |
Sermons on Song of Solomon 7
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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22 the Bride's Mature Partnership With Jesus (Song 7:9b-8:4) by Mike Bickle | Mike Bickle emphasizes the significance of a mature partnership with Jesus as depicted in the Song of Solomon, highlighting the balance between intimacy with God and active ministr |
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Love - the Basis of All God's Dealings With Man by Zac Poonen | Zac Poonen emphasizes that the foundation of our love for God is rooted in His unchanging love for us, as stated in 1 John 4:19. He explains that God's intention for humanity was t |
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You Belong to Him! by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson emphasizes the profound love and delight that God has for His people, as illustrated in the Song of Solomon and the Psalms. He explains that God sees His bride as p |
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God's Unchanging Love by Zac Poonen | Zac Poonen emphasizes that the foundation of Christian faith is rooted in God's unchanging love for humanity, as demonstrated throughout the history of Israel and illustrated throu |
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It Will Suck Sweetness Out of Every Flower by Thomas Brooks | Thomas Brooks emphasizes the transformative power of faith, describing it as the key that unlocks paradise and floods the soul with joy. He illustrates how faith appropriates God's |
Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on Song of Solomon 7
In this chapter, we see the beloved's praise of her lover's beauty, as she describes him as a majestic tree and praises his strength and majesty (Song of Solomon 7:1-5). We also see the beloved's expression of desire to be with her lover, as she longs to gaze upon his face and to be intimate with him (Song of Solomon 7:6-10). The lover responds by praising the beloved's beauty, comparing her to a garden and a fountain (Song of Solomon 7:11-13). The chapter concludes with a mutual expression of love and desire, as the two lovers long to be together and to enjoy each other's company (Song of Solomon 7:14). Throughout the chapter, we see the beauty and joy of godly love and relationships, and the idea that true love is a mutual and reciprocal relationship in which both partners desire and belong to each other. As Matthew Henry notes, this chapter teaches us about the importance of mutual love and desire in relationships, and the need for couples to prioritize time together and to nurture their love for each other. Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →
What Do You Notice?
The Use of Sensory Language
The chapter is characterized by the use of sensory language, as the lovers describe each other's beauty and express their desire for each other through sensory imagery.
The Emphasis on Mutual Love
The chapter emphasizes the idea of mutual love, highlighting the idea that true love is a reciprocal relationship in which both partners desire and belong to each other.
The Foreshadowing of Christ's Love
The chapter's language and themes foreshadow Christ's love for the church, in which believers are called to abide in Him and to experience the fullness of joy.