Song of Solomon 6
Lutheran reading notes
In Song of Solomon chapter 6, 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
Whither is thy beloved gone, O thou fairest among women? whither is thy beloved turned aside? that we may seek him with thee.
2
My beloved is gone down into his garden, to the beds of spices, to feed in the gardens, and to gather lilies.
3
I {am} my beloved's, and my beloved {is} mine: he feedeth among the lilies.
4
Thou {art} beautiful, O my love, as Tirzah, comely as Jerusalem, terrible as {an army} with banners.
5
Turn away thine eyes from me, for they have overcome me: thy hair {is} as a flock of goats that appear from Gilead. {overcome...: or, puffed me up}
6
Thy teeth {are} as a flock of sheep which go up from the washing, whereof every one beareth twins, and {there is} not one barren among them.
7
As a piece of a pomegranate {are} thy temples within thy locks.
8
There are threescore queens, and fourscore concubines, and virgins without number.
9
My dove, my undefiled is {but} one; she {is} the {only} one of her mother, she {is} the choice {one} of her that bare her. The daughters saw her, and blessed her; {yea}, the queens and the concubines, and they praised her.
10
Who {is} she {that} looketh forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, {and} terrible as {an army} with banners?
11
I went down into the garden of nuts to see the fruits of the valley, {and} to see whether the vine flourished, {and} the pomegranates budded.
12
Or ever I was aware, my soul made me {like} the chariots of Amminadib. {Or ever...: Heb. I knew not} {made...: or, set me on the chariots of my willing people}
13
Return, return, O Shulamite; return, return, that we may look upon thee. What will ye see in the Shulamite? As it were the company of two armies. {of...: or, of Mahanaim}