1 Oh that you were like my brother, who nursed from the breasts of my mother! If I found you outside, I would kiss you; yes, and no one would despise me. 2 I would lead you, bringing you into my mother's house, who would instruct me. I would have you drink spiced wine, of the juice of my pomegranate. 3 His left hand would be under my head. His right hand would embrace me. 4 I adjure you, daughters of Jerusalem, that you not stir up, nor awaken love, until it so desires. Friends 5 Who is this who comes up from the wilderness, leaning on her beloved? Under the apple tree I aroused you. There your mother conceived you. There she was in labor and bore you. 6 Set me as a seal on your heart, as a seal on your arm; for love is strong as death. Jealousy is as cruel as Sheol. Its flashes are flashes of fire, a very flame of Yahweh. 7 Many waters can't quench love, neither can floods drown it. If a man would give all the wealth of his house for love, he would be utterly scorned. Friends 8 We have a little sister. She has no breasts. What shall we do for our sister in the day when she is to be spoken for? 9 If she is a wall, we will build on her a turret of silver. if she is a door, we will enclose her with boards of cedar. Beloved 10 I am a wall, and my breasts like towers, then I was in his eyes like one who found peace. 11 Solomon had a vineyard at Baal Hamon. He leased out the vineyard to keepers. Each was to bring a thousand shekels of silver for its fruit. 12 My own vineyard is before me. The thousand are for you, Solomon; two hundred for those who tend its fruit. Lover 13 You who dwell in the gardens, with friends in attendance, let me hear your voice! Beloved 14 Come away, my beloved! Be like a gazelle or a young stag on the mountains of spices!
INTRODUCTION TO SONG OF SOLOMON 8
This chapter begins with an ardent wish of the church for a free and intimate converse with Christ; declaring what she would do to him, and for him, should she have such an interview with him, Song 8:1; what familiarity should be between them, Song 8:3; charging the daughters of Jerusalem not to give him any disturbance, Song 8:4. Upon which they inquire who she was that was in such a posture they saw her in, Song 8:5; when the church, instead of giving them an answer, says some things concerning her beloved, on whom they saw her leaning; and makes some requests to him for more nearness to him, and manifestations of his love to her; urged from the strength her love and affections to him, which was invincible, Song 8:6. Next follows a speech of the church about her little sister; expressing a concern for her, and what she would do to her and with her, Song 8:8; and the answer of the little sister, declaring what she, was, and what she enjoyed, Song 8:10; then the words of the church again, concerning her husband's vineyard; the place, keepers, and profit of it, Song 8:11. And the chapter, and with it the Song, is concluded with a request of Christ to the church, that he might hear her voice, Song 8:13; and with a petition of hers to him, that he would come quickly to her, Song 8:14.
*More commentary available by clicking individual verses.