'The Song of songs, which is Solomon's'. Israel's superlative for the best of its thousand and five (1 Kings 4:32). The bride opens the poetry: 'Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth; for thy love is better than wine.' She is dark from the sun of her brothers' vineyards ('I am black, but comely') and does not know where her shepherd feeds. The lovers exchange first praises: a mare among Pharaoh's chariots, a cluster of henna; 'behold, thou art fair, my love; thine eyes are as doves.' The two reading traditions (natural and allegorical) are set out at full strength on the Two Traditions study.

Drawn from Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory, Matthew Henry, Complete Commentary and John Wesley, Notes on the Old Testament.

Context

Poetry · Solomon — Song of Solomon overview

A. 1–8 Let Him Kiss Me: I Am Black, but Comely
B. 9–17 A Bundle of Myrrh, and a Couch of Green

Top cross-references8 chapters ▾

Song of Solomon 24 verses
- Song of Solomon 2:3Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest is my beloved among the young men. I delight to sit in his shade, and his fruit is sweet to my taste.
- Song of Solomon 2:10My beloved calls to me, “Arise, my darling. Come away with me, my beautiful one.
- Song of Solomon 2:13The fig tree ripens its figs; the blossoming vines spread their fragrance. Arise, come away, my darling; come away with me, my beautiful one.”
- Song of Solomon 2:14O my dove in the clefts of the rock, in the crevices of the cliff, let me see your face, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your countenance is lovely.
- Read Song of Solomon 2 →
Song of Solomon 54 verses
- Song of Solomon 5:8O daughters of Jerusalem, I adjure you, if you find my beloved, tell him I am sick with love.
- Song of Solomon 5:9How is your beloved better than others, O most beautiful among women? How is your beloved better than another, that you charge us so?
- Song of Solomon 5:12His eyes are like doves beside the streams of water, bathed in milk and mounted like jewels.
- Song of Solomon 5:13His cheeks are like beds of spice, towers of perfume. His lips are like lilies, dripping with flowing myrrh.
- Read Song of Solomon 5 →
Song of Solomon 43 verses
- Song of Solomon 4:1How beautiful you are, my darling—how very beautiful! Your eyes are like doves behind your veil. Your hair is like a flock of goats streaming down Mount Gilead.
- Song of Solomon 4:7You are altogether beautiful, my darling; in you there is no flaw.
- Song of Solomon 4:10How delightful is your love, my sister, my bride! Your love is much better than wine, and the fragrance of your perfume than all spices.
- Read Song of Solomon 4 →
Psalms 453 verses
- Psalms 45:2You are the most handsome of men; grace has anointed your lips, since God has blessed you forever.
- Psalms 45:8All your garments are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia; from palaces of ivory the harps make you glad.
- Psalms 45:14In colorful garments she is led to the king; her virgin companions are brought before you.
- Read Psalms 45 →

4 more chapters this one speaks with

John 121 verse
- John 12:3Then Mary took about a pint of expensive perfume, made of pure nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet and wiped them with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
- Read John 12 →
Psalms 361 verse
- Psalms 36:7How precious is Your loving devotion, O God, that the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings!
- Read Psalms 36 →
Song of Solomon 11 verse
- Song of Solomon 1:4Take me away with you—let us hurry! May the king bring me to his chambers. We will rejoice and delight in you; we will praise your love more than wine. It is only right that they adore you.
- Read Song of Solomon 1 →
Ecclesiastes 71 verse
- Ecclesiastes 7:1A good name is better than fine perfume, and one’s day of death is better than his day of birth.
- Read Ecclesiastes 7 →

Cross-references from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and OpenBible.info.