GiveDownload the App
Book & Chapter
Version

Summary

Song of Solomon 1:1 – Title

What happens: The Song is introduced as the best of songs, linked to Solomon. It sets the tone for a poetic celebration of love.

What it means: God dignifies marital love by placing this song in Scripture. The title invites us to read the poetry as wisdom about covenant love. Holy love is worth careful attention.

Song of Solomon 1:2–4 – Longing and Delight

What happens: She longs for his kisses and praises his name like poured perfume. She desires to be drawn near and rejoices in his love more than wine. The daughters affirm her joy.

What it means: Romantic desire is good within God’s design. Character is like a fragrance that attracts more than outward looks. Joy in love flows from delight in the beloved’s name and reputation.

Song of Solomon 1:5–8 – Insecure yet Sought

What happens: She says she is dark but lovely, sun-tanned from hard work under her brothers’ orders. She asks where he grazes so she can meet him. He answers that she should follow the flock and feed her young goats near the shepherds’ tents.

What it means: God sees beauty that hardship cannot erase. Honest insecurity meets reassurance through wise guidance. Love seeks the other with humility and trust.

Song of Solomon 1:9–11 – His Praise

What happens: He compares her to a mare among Pharaoh’s chariots and admires her ornaments. Others promise to make more beautiful jewelry for her.

What it means: Loving words strengthen hearts. Godly affection notices and speaks honor. Beauty grows in a context of encouragement and community blessing.

Song of Solomon 1:12–17 – Mutual Admiration and Rest

What happens: She likens him to myrrh on her chest and henna in En-gedi. He calls her eyes doves. She calls him handsome and pleasant, and they picture a green bed with cedar beams and cypress rafters.

What it means: God gives rest and delight in marital closeness. Creation imagery shows love’s refreshment and stability. Mutual praise builds a safe home.

Application

  • Cultivate character that smells sweet to your spouse and community.
  • Speak specific encouragement that honors your beloved.
  • Build a home atmosphere of rest, beauty, and mutual praise.

Bible

1The song of songs, which is Solomon's.

2Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine.

3Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee.

4Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee.

5I am black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon.

6Look not upon me, because I am black, because the sun hath looked upon me: my mother's children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept.

7Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon: for why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions?

8If thou know not, O thou fairest among women, go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock, and feed thy kids beside the shepherds' tents.

9I have compared thee, O my love, to a company of horses in Pharaoh's chariots.

10Thy cheeks are comely with rows of jewels, thy neck with chains of gold.

11We will make thee borders of gold with studs of silver.

12While the king sitteth at his table, my spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof.

13A bundle of myrrh is my wellbeloved unto me; he shall lie all night betwixt my breasts.

14My beloved is unto me as a cluster of camphire in the vineyards of Engedi.

15Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves' eyes.

16Behold, thou art fair, my beloved, yea, pleasant: also our bed is green.

17The beams of our house are cedar, and our rafters of fir.

← Ecclesiastes 12Song of Solomon 2 →

Take Versely with you

Queue devotion plans, track progress, and unlock audio guides inside the Versely app.

Download the AppSupport Versely