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1I am truly his rose,
the very theme of his song.
I’m overshadowed by his love,
like a lily growing in the valley!
2Yes, you are my darling companion.
You stand out from all the rest.
For though the thorns surround you,
you remain as pure as a lily,
more than all others.
3My beloved is to me
the most fragrant apple tree—
he stands above the sons of men.
Sitting under his grace-shadow,
I blossom in his shade,
enjoying the sweet taste of his pleasant, delicious fruit,
resting with delight where his glory never fades.
4Suddenly, he transported me into his house of wine—
he looked upon me with his unrelenting love divine.
5Revive me with your raisin cakes.[#2:5 Or “goblet of wine.” King David gave raisin cakes to the entire nation of Israel in celebration of the ark of glory, God’s presence, coming into Jerusalem (see 2 Sam. 6:19). Additionally, the Hebrew word for “with raisin cakes,” ba’ashishot , is a homonym that can also mean “fires.” The fires of passion and love are overwhelming.]
Refresh me again with your apples.
Help me and hold me, for I am lovesick!
I am longing for more—
yet how could I take more ?
6His left hand cradles my head[#2:6 The Hebrew word for “left” is smowl , which can also mean “dark.” The “left hand” of the Lord speaks of the mysteries of his ways—the unseen activities of grace, which are so little understood.]
while his right hand holds me close.
I am at rest in this love.
7Promise me, Jerusalem maidens,
by the gentle gazelles and delicate deer,
that you’ll not disturb my love until she is ready to arise.
8Listen! I hear my lover’s voice.
I know it’s him coming to me—
leaping with joy over mountains,
skipping in love over the hills that separate us ,
to come to me.
9Let me describe him:
he is graceful as a gazelle,
swift as a wild stag.
Now he comes closer,
even to the places where I hide.
He gazes into my soul,
peering through the portal
as he blossoms within my heart.
10The one I love calls to me:
Arise, my dearest. Hurry, my darling.
Come away with me!
I have come as you have asked
to draw you to my heart and lead you out.
For now is the time, my beautiful one.
11The season has changed,
the bondage of your barren winter has ended,
and the season of hiding is over and gone.
The rains have soaked the earth
12and left it bright with blossoming flowers.[#2:12 These flowers may point to the holy lovers of God throughout the ages, which after “rains” of God’s Spirit mature, blossom, and give forth the fragrance of Christ. Paul was a flower; Peter was a flower; and Mary of Bethany was a flower blooming. The sons of God are the flowers appearing on the earth out of their union with Christ.]
The season for singing and pruning the vines has arrived.
I hear the cooing of doves in our land,
filling the air with songs to awaken you
and guide you forth.
13Can you not discern this new day of destiny
breaking forth around you?
The early signs of my purposes and plans
are bursting forth.
The budding vines of new life
are now blooming everywhere.
The fragrance of their flowers whispers,
“There is change in the air.”
Arise, my love, my beautiful companion,
and run with me to the higher place.
For now is the time to arise and come away with me.
14For you are my dove, hidden in the split-open rock.[#2:14 This speaks of the wounded side of Jesus, our Rock where we hide and rest. When Moses asked God to see his glory, God hid Moses in the cleft of the rock. See Ex. 33:22.]
It was I who took you and hid you up high
in the secret stairway of the sky.
Let me see your radiant face and hear your sweet voice.
How beautiful your eyes of worship
and lovely your voice in prayer.
15You must catch the troubling foxes,
those sly little foxes that hinder our relationship.
For they raid our budding vineyard of love
to ruin what I’ve planted within you.
Will you catch them and remove them for me?
We will do it together.
16I know my lover is mine and I have everything in you,
for we delight ourselves in each other.
17But until the day springs to life
and the shifting shadows of fear disappear,
turn around, my lover, and ascend
to the holy mountains of separation without me.
Until the new day fully dawns,
run on ahead like the graceful gazelle
and skip like the young stag
over the mountains of separation.
Go on ahead to the mountain of spices—
I’ll come away another time .