The Beauty and Delights of the Christian Bedroom

The last part of verse 1 has created quite a bit of interpretive discussion. Exactly who is it that encourages this man and woman in their lovemaking? Some believe it is the friends of the couple. The HCSB identifies the speaker as the book's narrator. However, this speaker's intimate knowledge of all that has transpired in their bedroom leads me in a different direction.

Though His name never appears directly in the entire Song of Songs (but see 2:7; 3:5; 8:4, 6), I believe the one who speaks here is God. He is the unseen but present guest in their bedroom. He has observed all that has happened this night, and He tells us what He thinks about it. And He thinks it is a good thing!

126"Eat, friends! Drink, be intoxicated with love!" The love shared by Solomon and Shulammite, together with the gift of sex, was given to them by God. Craig Glickman comments,

Yes, God is there and He is pleased with what He sees. "He sees the passion. He hears the sighs of delight. He watches the lovers as they caress one another in the most intimate places. He is witness to the fleshly, earthly sights, sounds, and smells.... God desires for us to rejoice in our sensuousness, to give in to it" (Dillow and Pintus, Intimate, 17).

A term of tender affection flows from the mouth of God in this verse as He looks on the couple enjoying His good gift of sex as He designed it. He calls them "friends." God loves them, and He loves what He sees. How foreign this is to so many persons' thinking when they try to imagine what God the Creator thinks about sex. He loves us, and He likes it when we are engaged in the passion of lovemaking within the covenant of marriage. It can be revolutionary and transforming when we accurately and correctly understand the Creator's perspective. We can become like a woman named Beth who said,

Practical Applications from Song of Songs 4:1-5:1

What do happy couples say about sex, this good gift from a great God? Reader's Digest ran an article that answers that question with the caption, 127"With a dash of surprise, a pinch of romance and a word or two at the right moment, love can be kept simmering even in the longest marriage." Adapting their list slightly, I think at least 12 things can be said. Any couple will be well served to meditate, reflect on, and put into practice these helpful ideas.

In our Song we see a bride whose husband views her as perfect, flawless, "with no imperfection" (4:7). If only such a bride really existed. The fact is, however, she does! She exists in the people of God called the church, a people God has redeemed and "purchased with His own blood" (Acts 20:28). Made new in Jesus Christ, her divine Bridegroom, she knows He is committed "to make her holy, cleansing her with the washing of water by the word," and that He is doing this "to present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or anything like that, but holy and blameless" (Eph 5:26-27).

This is how our Bridegroom sees us through His imputed righteousness, and this is who we are predestined to be when our marriage is consummated at "the marriage feast of the Lamb" (Rev 19:9; cf. Rom 8:30). On that day we will

The love this shepherd-king has for his bride is beautiful and precious indeed. However, as Robert Saucy says so well,

Indeed the extent of His love is seen in the price He paid to make us flawless, with no imperfection at all. We are indeed His beautiful bride, His darling. This is how Christ sees us! This is what He has made us!

"The Bride of Christ"

O Church of God, thou spotless bride,

On Jesus' breast secure;

No stains of sin in thee abide

Thy garments all are pure.

Of unity and holiness

Thy gentle voice doth sing;

Of purity and lowliness

Thy songs in triumph ring.

Thou lovely virgin, thou are fair,

Thy mother's only child;

Thy heav'nly music let me hear,

Thy voice is sweet and mild.

Thy cheeks adorned with jewels bright,

Thy neck with chains of gold;

Unfurl thy banners in thy might,

Thy graces rich unfold.

She stood attired in spotless dress

The early morning through,

And then into the wilderness

On eagle's wings she flew.

And nourished there from heav'nly clime,

She lived for many years;

Now, in this blessed evening time

Her glory reappears.

She leans upon an Arm of Love

No sin her garments taints;

They're made of linen wov'n above—

The righteousness of saints.

The marriage of the Lamb is come,

His bride all ready stands;

The Bridegroom soon will take her home

To dwell in heav'nly lands. (Brooks and Byers, "The Bride of Christ," public domain)