The Song Of Solomon, also known as the Song of Songs or Canticles, stands as a unique and often debated book within the Bible. This ancient text, attributed to King Solomon, is a collection of love poems, rich with vivid imagery and sensual language, celebrating the beauty and intensity of romantic love. Let’s delve into the opening verses of this captivating book to explore its themes and significance.
An Ode to Love’s First Desires
The poem begins with the voice of the beloved, expressing a deep longing for her lover. “Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth!” she exclaims, immediately setting a tone of passionate desire. This isn’t just any affection; it’s a yearning for intimate connection, a desire so strong it’s placed above the intoxication of wine. “For your love is better than wine,” she continues, highlighting the intoxicating nature of true love that surpasses even the finest earthly pleasures.
This opening stanza is powerful in its directness and sensuality. It establishes the central theme of the Song of Solomon: the profound and joyous experience of human love. The mention of “anointing oils” and “your name is oil poured out” further enhances the sensory richness of the poem. In ancient times, fragrant oils were highly valued, signifying luxury, celebration, and allure. To say someone’s name is like “oil poured out” suggests it is precious, spreading a pleasing aroma and attracting admiration – “therefore virgins love you.” This line implies a widespread recognition of the lover’s desirability and charm.
The beloved’s desire is not passive; it’s active and seeking. “Draw me after you; let us run,” she implores. This is a call for shared journey and mutual pursuit, emphasizing the dynamic and energetic nature of their love. The phrase “The king has brought me into his chambers” introduces a shift, hinting at intimacy and a deeper connection within a private, perhaps metaphorical, space.
Voices of Admiration and Self-Awareness
The perspective broadens slightly as “Others” chime in, expressing admiration and shared joy in the lovers’ bond. “We will exult and rejoice in you; we will extol your love more than wine; rightly do they love you,” they declare. This adds a communal dimension to the love story, suggesting that their affection is not just a private affair but something recognized and celebrated by those around them.
Returning to the voice of the beloved, we encounter a moment of vulnerability and self-perception. “I am very dark, but lovely, O daughters of Jerusalem,” she states. This line has been interpreted in various ways, possibly referring to sun-kissed skin from working outdoors, which, while deviating from conventional beauty standards of the time, doesn’t diminish her attractiveness. Comparing herself to “the tents of Kedar, like the curtains of Solomon,” she uses contrasting imagery. Kedar tents were known for their dark goat hair fabric, while Solomon’s curtains would have been rich and ornate. This could be interpreted as acknowledging a perceived flaw while asserting her inherent beauty and worth, especially in the eyes of her lover.
She further explains, “Do not gaze at me because I am dark, because the sun has looked upon me. My mother’s sons were angry with me; they made me keeper of the vineyards, but my own vineyard I have not kept!” This offers a glimpse into her life and circumstances. Forced labor in the vineyards by her brothers has resulted in her tanned skin, and perhaps prevented her from tending to her own personal “vineyard,” which could be interpreted metaphorically as her own well-being or desires.
Seeking the Beloved
The initial verses conclude with the beloved seeking direction from her lover. “Tell me, you whom my soul loves, where you pasture your flock, where you make it lie down at noon; for why should I be like one who veils herself beside the flocks of your companions?” She expresses a desire to be near him, to know his whereabouts, and to avoid being mistaken for just another admirer or someone on the periphery of his life. She yearns for clarity and closeness in their relationship.
Solomon’s Voice and Endearments
The perspective shifts to Solomon, the lover, who responds with tender reassurance and admiration. “If you do not know, O most beautiful among women, follow in the tracks of the flock, and pasture your young goats beside the shepherds’ tents.” He gently guides her, assuring her of her unparalleled beauty – “O most beautiful among women” – and suggesting a way for her to find him, among the familiar settings of shepherds and flocks.
He continues to praise her beauty using striking similes: “I compare you, my love, to a mare among Pharaoh’s chariots.” This seemingly unusual comparison is actually a high compliment. Pharaoh’s chariot horses were prized for their strength, beauty, and spirited nature. Comparing his beloved to such a magnificent creature emphasizes her regal bearing and captivating presence. He further admires her adornments: “Your cheeks are lovely with ornaments, your neck with strings of jewels.”
Communal Praise and Intimate Moments
The voices of “Others” return, promising lavish gifts and further enhancing the beloved’s beauty: “We will make for you ornaments of gold, studded with silver.” This reinforces her value and the high esteem in which she is held.
The poem then transitions back to the intimate sphere of the lovers. “While the king was on his couch, my nard gave forth its fragrance,” the beloved recounts, evoking a scene of relaxed intimacy and mutual pleasure. Nard, an expensive perfume, symbolizes her preciousness and the delightful atmosphere she creates around her lover. She uses rich metaphors to describe her beloved: “My beloved is to me a sachet of myrrh that lies between my breasts. My beloved is to me a cluster of henna blossoms in the vineyards of Engedi.” Myrrh and henna blossoms are both fragrant and evocative. Myrrh, often associated with preciousness and sensuality, and henna blossoms, known for their sweet scent and beauty in the vineyards of Engedi, paint a picture of her lover as a constant source of delight and refreshment.
Solomon reciprocates with ardent praise: “Behold, you are beautiful, my love; behold, you are beautiful; your eyes are doves.” He repeats his admiration, emphasizing her beauty and comparing her eyes to doves, which are often seen as symbols of gentleness, purity, and beauty.
Mutual Adoration and Setting the Scene
The beloved echoes his sentiments: “Behold, you are beautiful, my beloved, truly delightful.” The mutual admiration is palpable. She then sets a scene of idyllic intimacy: “Our couch is green; the beams of our house are cedar; our rafters are pine.” The imagery of a “green couch” suggests a natural, perhaps outdoor setting, while cedar and pine beams evoke a sense of strength, natural beauty, and a comfortable, perhaps newly built, home. These closing verses of the excerpt paint a picture of a love that is passionate, mutually admiring, and set within a beautiful and harmonious world.
Conclusion: The Enduring Power of Love Poetry
These opening verses of the Song of Solomon offer a glimpse into a world where love is celebrated with unrestrained passion and poetic beauty. The vivid imagery, sensory language, and emotional depth of these verses continue to resonate with readers centuries later, making the Song of Solomon a timeless testament to the power and beauty of human love. It invites us to appreciate the multifaceted nature of love – its desire, tenderness, mutual admiration, and the joy it brings to the human experience.
