Song of Solomon 7: A Celebration of Love and Beauty
How beautiful are thy feet with shoes, O prince’s daughter! the joints of thy thighs are like jewels, the work of the hands of a cunning workman.
Thy navel is like a round goblet, which wanteth not liquor: thy belly is like an heap of wheat set about with lilies.
Thy two breasts are like two young roes that are twins.
Thy neck is as a tower of ivory; thine eyes like the fishpools in Heshbon, by the gate of Bath–rabbim: thy nose is as the tower of Lebanon which looketh toward Damascus.
Thine head upon thee is like Carmel, and the hair of thine head like purple; the king is held in the galleries.
How fair and how pleasant art thou, O love, for delights!
This thy stature is like to a palm tree, and thy breasts to clusters of grapes.
I said, I will go up to the palm tree, I will take hold of the boughs thereof: now also thy breasts shall be as clusters of the vine, and the smell of thy nose like apples;
And the roof of thy mouth like the best wine for my beloved, that goeth down sweetly, causing the lips of those that are asleep to speak.
I am my beloved’s, and his desire is toward me.
Come, my beloved, let us go forth into the field; let us lodge in the villages.
Let us get up early to the vineyards; let us see if the vine flourish, whether the tender grape appear, and the pomegranates bud forth: there will I give thee my loves.
The mandrakes give a smell, and at our gates are all manner of pleasant fruits, new and old, which I have laid up for thee, O my beloved.
Song of Solomon 7 is a beautiful and intimate portrayal of love and desire within the bonds of marriage. This chapter continues the poetic dance between Solomon and his Shulammite bride, offering a glimpse into the joy and pleasure found in a committed, exclusive relationship. It highlights the importance of cherishing and affirming one's spouse, both physically and emotionally.
The King's Adoration (Song of Solomon 7:1-9)
Solomon is utterly captivated by his beloved. His words are a cascade of praise, focusing on her physical beauty from head to toe. He describes her feet, thighs, navel, belly, breasts, neck, eyes, nose, head, and hair (Song of Solomon 7:1-5). This detailed and loving appreciation demonstrates the depth of his affection and the delight he takes in her. This passage serves as a powerful reminder to husbands to actively affirm their wives, letting them know they are treasured and cherished. Don't take your wife for granted; let her know she is your treasure!
The imagery used is rich and evocative. Her navel is likened to a rounded goblet, never lacking mixed wine, and her belly to a heap of wheat encircled with lilies (Song of Solomon 7:2). These metaphors, while perhaps unusual to modern ears, speak to abundance, fertility, and beauty. He sees her as a source of joy and sustenance, a treasure to be admired and enjoyed.
He continues his praise, comparing her neck to an ivory tower, her eyes to pools in Heshbon, and her nose to the tower of Lebanon (Song of Solomon 7:4). Each comparison elevates her beauty and highlights her unique qualities. He admires her head crowning her like Mount Carmel, and the flowing tresses of her hair (Song of Solomon 7:5). Solomon is completely enthralled by her.
His desire for her is palpable, as he declares, "How beautiful you are and how pleasing, my love, with your delights!" (Song of Solomon 7:6). He longs to embrace her, climbing the palm tree and grasping its fruit (Song of Solomon 7:8). His words are filled with passion and longing, painting a vivid picture of marital intimacy.
Aroused Desire and Mutual Longing (Song of Solomon 7:9-13)
Hearing her beloved's passionate praise stirs a deep desire within the Shulammite woman. Her response is equally ardent, demonstrating the reciprocity of their love. She invites him to spend the night with her, promising to share the delicacies she has treasured up for him (Song of Solomon 7:10-13).
She proclaims, "I am my beloved’s, and his desire is for me" (Song of Solomon 7:10). This declaration underscores the exclusivity and commitment of their relationship. They belong to each other, and their love is a source of mutual delight.
She speaks of going out to the vineyards to see if the vines have budded, if their blossoms have opened, and if the pomegranates are in bloom (Song of Solomon 7:12). This imagery suggests growth, fertility, and the anticipation of future delights. She wants to share the fruits of her labor and the beauty of the natural world with her beloved.
The chapter ends with the Shulammite woman offering her love and affection to Solomon: "There I will give you my love" (Song of Solomon 7:12). She has reserved the best for him, just as she has treasured up delicacies for him. This act of devotion reflects the depth of her love and commitment. The mandrakes send their fragrance, and at our door is every delicacy, both new and old, that I have stored up for you, my beloved (Song of Solomon 7:13).
In a world often characterized by promiscuity and distorted views of love, Song of Solomon 7 offers a refreshing and inspiring vision of marital intimacy. It reminds us that monogamy is not only holy but also beautiful and exciting. It is a relationship where love, desire, and mutual appreciation can flourish within the safe and committed bonds of marriage. Let us strive to cultivate such love in our own marriages, cherishing and affirming our spouses in every way.
How beautiful are thy feet with shoes, O prince’s daughter! the joints of thy thighs are like jewels, the work of the hands of a cunning workman.
Thy navel is like a round goblet, which wanteth not liquor: thy belly is like an heap of wheat set about with lilies.
Thy two breasts are like two young roes that are twins.
Thy neck is as a tower of ivory; thine eyes like the fishpools in Heshbon, by the gate of Bath–rabbim: thy nose is as the tower of Lebanon which looketh toward Damascus.
Thine head upon thee is like Carmel, and the hair of thine head like purple; the king is held in the galleries.
How fair and how pleasant art thou, O love, for delights!
This thy stature is like to a palm tree, and thy breasts to clusters of grapes.
I said, I will go up to the palm tree, I will take hold of the boughs thereof: now also thy breasts shall be as clusters of the vine, and the smell of thy nose like apples;
And the roof of thy mouth like the best wine for my beloved, that goeth down sweetly, causing the lips of those that are asleep to speak.
I am my beloved’s, and his desire is toward me.
Come, my beloved, let us go forth into the field; let us lodge in the villages.
Let us get up early to the vineyards; let us see if the vine flourish, whether the tender grape appear, and the pomegranates bud forth: there will I give thee my loves.
The mandrakes give a smell, and at our gates are all manner of pleasant fruits, new and old, which I have laid up for thee, O my beloved.
Song of Solomon 7 is a beautiful and intimate portrayal of love and desire within the bonds of marriage. This chapter continues the poetic dance between Solomon and his Shulammite bride, offering a glimpse into the joy and pleasure found in a committed, exclusive relationship. It highlights the importance of cherishing and affirming one's spouse, both physically and emotionally.
The King's Adoration (Song of Solomon 7:1-9)
Solomon is utterly captivated by his beloved. His words are a cascade of praise, focusing on her physical beauty from head to toe. He describes her feet, thighs, navel, belly, breasts, neck, eyes, nose, head, and hair (Song of Solomon 7:1-5). This detailed and loving appreciation demonstrates the depth of his affection and the delight he takes in her. This passage serves as a powerful reminder to husbands to actively affirm their wives, letting them know they are treasured and cherished. Don't take your wife for granted; let her know she is your treasure!
The imagery used is rich and evocative. Her navel is likened to a rounded goblet, never lacking mixed wine, and her belly to a heap of wheat encircled with lilies (Song of Solomon 7:2). These metaphors, while perhaps unusual to modern ears, speak to abundance, fertility, and beauty. He sees her as a source of joy and sustenance, a treasure to be admired and enjoyed.
He continues his praise, comparing her neck to an ivory tower, her eyes to pools in Heshbon, and her nose to the tower of Lebanon (Song of Solomon 7:4). Each comparison elevates her beauty and highlights her unique qualities. He admires her head crowning her like Mount Carmel, and the flowing tresses of her hair (Song of Solomon 7:5). Solomon is completely enthralled by her.
His desire for her is palpable, as he declares, "How beautiful you are and how pleasing, my love, with your delights!" (Song of Solomon 7:6). He longs to embrace her, climbing the palm tree and grasping its fruit (Song of Solomon 7:8). His words are filled with passion and longing, painting a vivid picture of marital intimacy.
Aroused Desire and Mutual Longing (Song of Solomon 7:9-13)
Hearing her beloved's passionate praise stirs a deep desire within the Shulammite woman. Her response is equally ardent, demonstrating the reciprocity of their love. She invites him to spend the night with her, promising to share the delicacies she has treasured up for him (Song of Solomon 7:10-13).
She proclaims, "I am my beloved’s, and his desire is for me" (Song of Solomon 7:10). This declaration underscores the exclusivity and commitment of their relationship. They belong to each other, and their love is a source of mutual delight.
She speaks of going out to the vineyards to see if the vines have budded, if their blossoms have opened, and if the pomegranates are in bloom (Song of Solomon 7:12). This imagery suggests growth, fertility, and the anticipation of future delights. She wants to share the fruits of her labor and the beauty of the natural world with her beloved.
The chapter ends with the Shulammite woman offering her love and affection to Solomon: "There I will give you my love" (Song of Solomon 7:12). She has reserved the best for him, just as she has treasured up delicacies for him. This act of devotion reflects the depth of her love and commitment. The mandrakes send their fragrance, and at our door is every delicacy, both new and old, that I have stored up for you, my beloved (Song of Solomon 7:13).
In a world often characterized by promiscuity and distorted views of love, Song of Solomon 7 offers a refreshing and inspiring vision of marital intimacy. It reminds us that monogamy is not only holy but also beautiful and exciting. It is a relationship where love, desire, and mutual appreciation can flourish within the safe and committed bonds of marriage. Let us strive to cultivate such love in our own marriages, cherishing and affirming our spouses in every way.