| PLOWRIGHT WORLD Poetry Section - Song of Solomon |
| Solomon's Song of Songs (From the Hebrew Scriptures, or Old Testament.) |
| The song of songs, which is Solomon's. {THE SHULAMITE (A Palestinian young woman). see 6:13.} 2. Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth- For your love is better than wine. 3. Because of the fragrance of your good ointments, Your name is ointment poured forth; Therefore the virgins love you. 4. Draw me away! {THE DAUGHTERS OF JERUSALEM} . We will run after you. {THE SHULAMITE} The king has brought me into his chambers. {THE DAUGHTERS OF JERUSALEM} We will be glad and rejoice in you. We will remember your love more than wine. {THE SHULAMITE} Rightly do they love you. 5. I am dark, but lovely, O daughters of Jerusalem, Like the tents of Kedar, Like the curtains of Solomon. 6. Do not look upon me because I am dark, Because the sun tanned me. My mother's sons were angry with me; They made me the keeper of the vineyards, But my own vineyard I have not kept {TO HER BELOVED} 7. Tell me, O you whom I love, Where you feed your flock, Where you make it rest at noon. For why should I be as one who veils herself, By the flocks of your companions? |
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| Some hold the view that this writing is an allegory of the love relationship between Christ and His church. The NIV Notes suggests the Song belongs to Biblical wisdom literature, wisdom's description of an amorous relationship. It may be hard to say, but I will stick with the NIV Notes' last line on the subject: "God intends that such love - grossly distorted and abused by both ancient and modern people - be a normal part of marital life in His good creation (see Gen. 1:26; 2:24)." |