The chat will start when you send the first message.
1The most amazing song of all, by King Solomon.
2Let him smother me with kisses—his Spirit-kiss divine.[#1:2 To enter the doorway of Jesus’ heart we must begin by saying, “Let him.” We only bring him a yielded heart and must “let him” do the rest. God’s loving grace means that he will be enough for us. We can “let him” be everything to us. We don’t begin by doing but by yielding.; #1:2 This Spirit-kiss is what made Adam, the man of clay, into a living expression of God. Dust and deity met when the Maker kissed his Spirit-Wind into Adam. The Word of God is the kiss from the mouth of our Beloved, breathing upon us the revelation of his love. The Shulamite doesn’t ask him for power, position, or promotion, but for a kiss. Intimacy with Jesus Christ is more important than anything else he can give us.]
So kind are your caresses,
I drink them in like the sweetest wine!
3Your presence releases a fragrance so pleasing—
over and over poured out.
For your lovely name is “Flowing Oil.”
No wonder the brides-to-be adore you.
4Draw me into your heart.
We will run away together into the king’s cloud-filled chamber.
We will remember your love, rejoicing and delighting in you,
celebrating your every kiss as better than wine.
No wonder righteousness adores you!
5Jerusalem maidens, in this twilight darkness[#1:5 Or “black.” The Hebrew root word used here for “black” or “dark” means “twilight darkness” or “morning gray.”]
I know I am so unworthy—so in need.
Yet you are so lovely!
I feel as dark and dry as the desert tents
of the wandering nomads.
Yet you are so lovely—
like the fine linen tapestry hanging in the Holy Place.
6Please don’t stare in scorn
because of my dark and sinful ways.
My angry brothers quarreled with me
and appointed me guardian of their ministry vineyards,
yet I’ve not tended my vineyard within.
7Won’t you tell me, lover of my soul,
where do you feed your flock?
Where do you lead your beloved ones
to rest in the heat of the day?
Why should I be like a veiled woman
as I wander among the flocks of your shepherds?
8Listen, my radiant one—
if you ever lose sight of me,
just follow in my footsteps where I lead my lovers.
Come with your burdens and cares.
Come to the place near the sanctuary of my shepherds.
9My dearest one,[#1:9 Or “darling.” The Hebrew word r’yh is found ten times in the Bible and nine of them are in the Song of Songs. The Hebrew wordplay is seen in that the words for “tend the flock” and “darling” are homonyms.]
let me tell you how I see you—
you are so thrilling to me.
To gaze upon you is like looking
at one of Pharaoh’s finest horses —
a strong, regal steed pulling his royal chariot.
10Your tender cheeks are beautiful —[#1:10 Her cheeks represent her emotions, revealed by her countenance. Her emotional life is alive and pleasing to the king.]
your earrings and gem-laden necklaces
set them ablaze.
11We will enhance your beauty ,[#1:11 This is possibly the Trinity (“we”), which will be involved in making every Shulamite holy and radiant.]
with golden ornaments studded with silver.
12As the king surrounded me at his table,[#1:12 This points to our enjoyment of the Lord as we have communion at the Lord’s Table.]
the sweet fragrance of spikenard
awakened the night.
13A sachet of myrrh is my lover,
like a tied-up bundle of myrrh resting over my heart.
14He is like a bouquet of henna blossoms—
henna plucked near the vines at the fountain of the Lamb.
I will hold him and never let him part.
15My darling,
you are so lovely!
You are beauty itself to me.
Your passionate eyes are like gentle doves.
16My beloved one,[#1:16 The Hebrew word dôḏî , usually translated “beloved,” is taken from a root word that means “to boil.” The implication is that the beloved causes her heart to boil over with passion. In Matt. 3:17, the Father reveals his Son as “the Beloved.” Paul likewise describes him as “the Beloved” ( Eph. 1:6).]
both handsome and winsome,
you are pleasing beyond words.
Our resting place is anointed and flourishing,
like a green forest meadow bathed in light.
17Rafters of cedar branches are over our heads
and balconies of pleasant-smelling pines.