Song of Solomon 1
17 verses
The maiden cries 'Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth, for your love is better than wine,' establishing the book's central theme: the intensity of erotic desire within covenant love. She confesses her dark beauty, warning not to despise her though the sun has darkened her skin, and reveals that brothers set her to guard vineyards while her own vineyard she could not guard—suggesting lost innocence or competing desires. She seeks her beloved, asking where he pastures his flock at midday, lest she wander in shame. The beloved responds with admiration and affection, comparing her to Pharaoh's mare. She too speaks his beauty, dwelling on his fragrance and comparing their intimate couch to lush vegetation. The opening chapter establishes the Song's literary and theological agenda: to celebrate sexual desire, tenderness, and romantic devotion in language of unprecedented erotic intensity within the biblical canon. The maiden's voice dominates, granting her active agency and desire—revolutionary in ancient literature. Theologically, the Song asserts that human love reflects divine design; the intensity of longing and satisfaction mirrors the covenantal bond between God and Israel/the church. The vineyard metaphor introduces themes of cultivation, boundaries, and self-awareness that will develop throughout.
VERSES IN THIS CHAPTER
1
The song of songs, which is Solomon’s.
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2
Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine.
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3
Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee.
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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.
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5
I am black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon.
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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.
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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?
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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.
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9
I have compared thee, O my love, to a company of horses in Pharaoh’s chariots.
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10
Thy cheeks are comely with rows of jewels, thy neck with chains of gold.
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11
We will make thee borders of gold with studs of silver.
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12
While the king sitteth at his table, my spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof.
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13
A bundle of myrrh is my wellbeloved unto me; he shall lie all night betwixt my breasts.
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14
My beloved is unto me as a cluster of camphire in the vineyards of En–gedi.
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15
Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves’ eyes.
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16
Behold, thou art fair, my beloved, yea, pleasant: also our bed is green.
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17
The beams of our house are cedar, and our rafters of fir.
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COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS
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