Song of Solomon 4:1-7

TEXT 4:1-7

THIRD SCENEThe Lover's Interviews Song of Solomon 4:1 to Song of Solomon 5:1

First Meeting (Jerusalem?): Shepherd's Monologue, Song of Solomon 4:1-7

1.

Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair.

Thine eyes are as doves behind thy veil.
Thy hair is as a flock of goats, that lie along
The side of Mount Gilead.

2.

Thy teeth are like a flock of ewes that are newly shorn,

Which are come up from the washing,
Whereof every one hath twins, and none is bereaved among them.

3.

Thy lips are like a thread of scarlet, and thy mouth is comely. Thy temples are like a piece of pomegranate behind thy veil.

4.

Thy neck is like the tower of David builded for an armory, Whereon there hang a thousand bucklers, all the shields of the mighty men.

5.

Thy two breasts are like two fawns. That are twins of a roe, which feed among the lilies.

6.

Until the day be cool, and the shadows flee away,

I will get me to the mountain of myrrh,
And to the hill of frankincense.

7.

Thou art all fair, my love;

And there is no spot in thee.

THOUGHT QUESTIONS 4:1-7

92.

How is the word fair used as in verse one? The terms my love are better translated with a less personal meaning. What is a better word?

93.

The maiden looks out from behind her tresses or her veil. Which is it?

94.

In what way would her hair be like a flock of goats on the mountains of Gilead?

95.

What a strange comparison? Teeth like a flock of sheep? Show how this could be true?

96.

Why compare her lips to a thread of scarlet?

97.

Two things are said of her mouth. What is the second compliment? Which is the most important?

98.

Back of the locks of her hair her cheeks are like the two halves of a pomegranate. What quality or compliment is intended here?

99.

A neck like a tower? What is meant by way of a compliment? What is intended by mention of the shields of the mighty men of David?

100.

What is the imagery of comparing her breasts to two young fawns?

101.

The lover suggests he will leave and returnat what time will he return? Where is he going?

102.

What is meant by the mountain of myrrh and hill of frankincense?

103.

Who is speaking? For what purpose? At what place?

PARAPHRASE 4:1-7

Shepherd

1.

Lo, thou art fair, my companion, lo, thou art fair!

Thine eyes are dove-like behind thy tresses.
Thy hair resembles a flock of goats
That browse along the slopes of Gilead.

2.

Thy teeth are like a flock of shorn sheep

Just come up from the dipping pool.
Each one has its twin,
And none among them is bereaved.

3.

Thy lips are like a scarlet cord,

And thy speech well becomes them.
Thy cheeks are like halves of a pomegranate
Behind thy tresses.

4.

Thy neck is like David's tower,

Which he built for an armory.
On it there hang a thousand shields
All shields of heroes.

5.

Thy breasts are like two fawns,

Twins of a gazelle feeding among anemones.
Till the day cools and the shadows lengthen,
I will make my way to the mountain of myrrh.
And to the hill of frankincense.

7.

Thou art altogether fair, O my companion!

There is no blemish in thee.

COMMENT 4:1-7

Exegesis Song of Solomon 4:1-7

The first line in verse one is a general evaluation of my companion; there follows seven particulars in which the beauty of the bride can be seen. We shall list these seven descriptive phrases and comment upon them. Before we proceed we must set the scene. We recognize that we are open to criticismbut since all opinions are of equal standing we yet believe this is the expression of the shepherd. We appreciate the words of Arthur G. Clarke just here. The shepherd now appears upon the scene. Following the abduction of his loved one (Song of Solomon 6:11-12), he seems to have discovered her whereabouts. Concerned for her welfare amid the temptations of the Royal Court, he wends his way to Jerusalem to secure an interview with her if at all possible. This he manages to do, but how we are not told. He encourages the maiden at this critical juncture with a fresh declaration of his loving regard.

There follows the seven-fold description of the maiden: (1) Thine eyes are dove-like behind thy tresses. There is much discussion among commentators as to whether the maiden is looking out from behind a veil or the locks of her hair. We prefer the latter. We have commented earlier of the dove-like quality of her eyes. Such a poetic figure of speech is altogether appealing in its suggestion of the alert, shy, soft person behind the eyes and the lovely hair. (2) Thy hair resembles a flock of goats that browse along the slopes of Gilead. This is a compliment and it was given to elicit a positive response. If we knew what a flock of goats on the slopes of Gilead looked like we would immediately appreciate the comparison. The long silk-like hair of the angora goats of Syriaespecially as they reflected the sun on their long tresses could make a beautiful poetic image. (3) Thy teeth are like a flock of shorn sheep just come up from the dipping pool. Each one has its twin, and none among them is bereaved. This is much easier to imagine. The sheep are whitebut never whiter than when they have just been shorn and washedthere are two rows of teeththe top has a twin on the bottom row, and there is not one out of order or missing. Her teeth are as white as wool and as uniform as perfect twins. (4) Thy lips are like a scarlet cord, and thy speech well becomes them. The delicate form of the girl's lips is here emphasized. The natural red color suggests good health. Not only does she have a lovely mouth in formwhat comes out of it in thought and words is just as beautiful. There is gold, and a multitude of rubies; but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel. Proverbs 20:15 (Cf. Ecclesiastes 10:12; Psalms 63:5; Psalms 119:13; Psalms 119:171) (5) Thy cheeks are like halves of a pomegranate behind thy tresses. No cosmetics are involved in the appearance here described. The glow of good health is here apparent. The almost translucent look of a perfect complexion colored with the blush of excitement and coyly hidden behind raven black hair makes a most appealing picture. (6) Thy neck is like David's tower, which he built for an armory. On it there hang a thousand shieldsall shields of heros. This is more descriptive of the character of the maid than any of the other qualities, pride and strengthdignity and beauty are all here inferred. The shepherd wants his bride-to-be to remember who she is and whose she is. She did not hesitate to identify with the shepherd when her brothers opposed him. He can still see the tilt of her head and the beautiful total commitment of her demeanor when she answered her brothers concerning him. He is reminding her to be that same strong, beautiful person here in the Court of Solomon. A thousand shields of conquest decorated David's towerperhaps he is sayingYou are as strong as a thousand strong women. (7) Thy breasts are like two fawns, twins of a gazelle feeding among anemones. We could ignore this description as some have doneor say that the breasts of women do not have erotic suggestion to the Oriental. We do believe the shepherd is saying his bride has reached maturity and is therefore capable of motherhood. But most of all he is simply open in his admiration of her physical beauty. We would say that this lover has gathered a string of beautiful pearls to present to his beloved. He concludes by promising to return at nightfall; when he comes it will be with a mountain of myrrh and a hill of frankincense. During his absence he has been to the mountain of myrrh and the hill of frankincensehe now comes again with much more to offer than Solomon. His closing words should have indeed touched her deeply. He is sayingyou are pure and whole and totally lovelykeep it that way till I come again.

Marriage Song of Solomon 4:1-7

If we were married to a girl whom we could describe in the same way the Shulammite is here described, we would have no problems in marriage. Is this true? It is both true and false. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. If we look at our wife with grace, we will find grace. Let's check the list and see: (1) How easy it is for a mother to see alertness and intelligence in the eyes of her son or daughter when no one else can see anything unusual at all. Why? The mother wants to and besides that she is a part of that son or daughter and they a part of her. Is this the kind of love we have for this one who has now become bone of my bones, and flesh of my fleshthat one we call womanor wife? Look into her eyes againthere is a dove of softness and love behind those eyes isn-'t there? (2) Why does your wife fix her hair or have it fixed? Isn-'t it for you? She does hope you will see it and mention itHow does it look? It is her adornment from Godbut if her beloved never noticeswhat's the use? (3) She does have a sweet mouth, doesn-'t she? She does if you believe she does. We cannot always agree with all she saysbut then God can-'t always agree with youbut His love is yet and always warm and tender and real. (4) What a dear face, it represents the one you chose among ten thousand. Can you close your eyes and see her face? You can if you have made her a part of your inner consciousness. She loves you much more deeply than you could ever know. (5) What is the general demeanor of your wife? i.e., how would you describe her bearing? You have seen her often under so many circumstanceshow does she hold her head?literally and figuratively. Do you respect her for her abilities in many areas where you really could not do nearly as well? If we will just think and add grace and love our wife will compare very well. (6) Only you can say if your wife is physically attractive to you. She must have been for this was one of the reasons you married her. Once again a large part or percent of this attraction is in the imagination. Not all of itbut much of it. (7) How would you grade your choice of women? What a change takes place when we put on the glasses of love and grace and look at everything about our wife in the same way our heavenly groom looks at us.

Communion Song of Solomon 4:1-7

If we were describing the groom (our Lord) instead of the bride (his church) these verses would be much easier to applyat least we would feel nothing would be overstated or misrepresentedbut as we look at ourselves in the mirror of His word we grow less and less willing to think of ourselves as at all like the one here described. But wait!He sees us through love and graceThis does not minimize our responsibility, but it does make possible a growth in grace unto the likeness of the bride of our Lord. How often it is true that we become what others believe we can. How does our Lord see us?

Notice: (1) He believes we can see all of life through the eyes of the Holy Dove. At the same time He has given us a covering to conceal our perception that it be not offensiveour veil or covering is humility. (2) Hair has always represented a special consecration and obedience to GodIn the care of the Nazarites (Numbers 6) it is illustrated by Samson. This consecration and obedience can and should become our strength and beauty. But only as we are completely given to Him is it true. Hair with a woman was identical in meaning as with the Nazarite. It was a covering as a symbol of subjection and commitment. (1 Corinthians 11:1 ff) (3) Teeth are the equipment of God given us for eating. He has given us the means by which we can eat His word and be filled and strong. (4) Lips are for expressionas teeth masticate the food so lips express the strength received from it. (5) Our facial expression can present our Lord in a pleasant, beautiful manner. (6) The neck could well represent the will of man. May our total bearing be one of submission to His will in our lives. (7) The bosom is often represented as the seat of the affections. When the foregoing is true of us our emotions will be under His control. The above person is that new creation in Christ Jesus. Cf. Colossians 3:1-17; 2 Corinthians 5:17; It is only possible because of Him and through Him.

FACT QUESTIONS 4:1-7

144.

List the seven particulars in which the beauty of the bride is considered.

145.

Who is the speaker of verses one thru seven?

146.

Why is this lovely description given? i.e., what does the shepherd hope to accomplish?

147.

What is attractive in being dove-like?

148.

Show how the hair of the maiden can resemble goats on the slopes of Gilead?

149.

Your teeth are like a flock of shorn sheep just up from the dipping poolis this a compliment? How so?

150.

How was the mouth or lips like a scarlet cord?

151.

A most appealing figure of speech involves a pomegranate. What is it?

152.

There is one quality or comparison that describes more of the total person than any of the others. Which one is it? Discuss.

153.

Why mention the breasts of his bride-to-be?

154.

What is meant by reference to a mountain of myrrh and a hill of frankincense?

155.

The closing words of the shepherd were especially touching. What were they? Discuss their impact. Please discuss the application of this text to present day marriage.

156.

How do you relate the application. of these verses to our communion with our Lord? Discuss.