Song of Solomon 5:3-13

3 I have taken off my garment and don't want to put it on again. I have washed my feet and don't want to get them dirty again.

4 My lover put his hand through the opening, and I felt excited inside.

5 I got up to open the door for my lover. Myrrh was dripping from my hands and flowing from my fingers, onto the handles of the lock.

6 I opened the door for my lover, but my lover had left and was gone. When he spoke, he took my breath away. I looked for him, but I could not find him; I called for him, but he did not answer.

7 The watchmen found me as they patrolled the city. They hit me and hurt me; the guards on the wall took away my veil.

8 Promise me, women of Jerusalem, if you find my lover, tell him I am weak with love.

9 How is your lover better than other lovers, most beautiful of women? How is your lover better than other lovers? Why do you want us to promise this?

10 My lover is healthy and tan, the best of ten thousand men.

11 His head is like the finest gold; his hair is wavy and black like a raven.

12 His eyes are like doves by springs of water. They seem to be bathed in cream and are set like jewels.

13 His cheeks are like beds of spices; they smell like mounds of perfume. His lips are like lilies flowing with myrrh.

Song of Solomon 5:3-13 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO SONG OF SOLOMON 5

This chapter begins with Christ's answer to the church's request; in which he informs her, that he was come into his garden, as she desired, and gives an account of what he had done there; and kindly invites his dear friends to feast with him there, So 5:1; Then she relates her case and circumstances, which followed upon this, her sleepy frame, and ungrateful carriage to her beloved; which he resenting, withdrew from her, and this gave her sensible pain, So 5:2-6; what treatment she met with from the watchmen; her charge to the daughters of Jerusalem; and the questions they asked about her beloved, So 5:7-9; which put her upon giving a large description of him, by each of his parts, head, hair So 5:10-15; And the chapter is concluded with a general commendation of him and his loveliness, and a claim of interest in So 5:16.