Song of Solomon 5:9-16

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.

14 His hands are like gold hinges, filled with jewels. His body is like shiny ivory covered with sapphires.

15 His legs are like large marble posts, standing on bases of fine gold. He is like a cedar of Lebanon, like the finest of the trees.

16 His mouth is sweet to kiss, and I desire him very much. Yes, daughters of Jerusalem, this is my lover and my friend.

Song of Solomon 5:9-16 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.