Song of Solomon 1
Lutheran reading notes
In Song of Solomon chapter 1, the wisdom literature continues to explore love, covenant devotion, and the beauty of faithful relationship. Lutheran interpretation often emphasizes humanity’s limitations and the need to rely on God's grace and promises. The chapter highlights the contrast between human striving and the faithfulness of God.
1
The song of songs, which {is} Solomon's.
2
Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love {is} better than wine. {thy...: Heb. thy loves}
3
Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name {is as} ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee.
4
Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee. {the upright...: or, they love thee uprightly}
5
I {am} black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon.
6
Look not upon me, because I {am} black, because the sun hath looked upon me: my mother's children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; {but} mine own vineyard have I not kept.
7
Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest {thy flock} to rest at noon: for why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions? {as one...: or, as one that is veiled}
8
If thou know not, O thou fairest among women, go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock, and feed thy kids beside the shepherds' tents.
9
I have compared thee, O my love, to a company of horses in Pharaoh's chariots.
10
Thy cheeks are comely with rows {of jewels}, thy neck with chains {of gold}.
11
We will make thee borders of gold with studs of silver.
12
While the king {sitteth} at his table, my spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof.
13
A bundle of myrrh {is} my wellbeloved unto me; he shall lie all night betwixt my breasts.
14
My beloved {is} unto me {as} a cluster of camphire in the vineyards of Engedi. {camphire: or, cypress}
15
Behold, thou {art} fair, my love; behold, thou {art} fair; thou {hast} doves' eyes. {my love: or, my companion}
16
Behold, thou {art} fair, my beloved, yea, pleasant: also our bed {is} green.
17
The beams of our house {are} cedar, {and} our rafters of fir. {rafters: or, galleries}