Song 1 | MHM | STEP | The Title of the Book. This verse introduces the Song of Solomon. The book is called a "song" because it is meant to touch our feelings and help us love God more. Poetry can make our hearts warm with devotion. The subject of this song is joyful, so it is right to sing it and make melody with our hearts unto the Lord (Psalm 98:1 ). This book is also called the song of songs , meaning it is the best and most excellent of all songs. It is better than any other song Solomon wrote, and it is even above all other songs in the Bible because it speaks so much about Christ. v. 1 : The first verse says, The song of songs, which is Solomon’s . This shows that Solomon wrote it. Unlike many love songs that are foolish, this is written by the wisest man. It is wise to celebrate God’s love for people and to encourage love for God in ourselves and others. Solomon wrote many songs—over a thousand (1 Kings 4:32 )—but this one about holy love remains. He used his gift for poetry to honor God and help the church. Solomon’s name means beloved of the Lord (2 Samuel 12:25 ), so he was the right person to write about God’s love. Even though he was a busy king, he made time for worship and devotion, showing that everyone should make time to be close to God. Some believe Solomon wrote this song after turning back to God, as a way to show his repentance and use his talent for good. Others think he wrote it early in his reign when he was close to God and happy. The exact time is not certain, but it is clear that he wrote it out of deep love for the Lord . This song may also be about Solomon as a symbol of Christ, who is full of wisdom. After reading Ecclesiastes and seeing how empty life is without God, this song helps us seek real happiness in Christ’s love. Only in communion with God do we find lasting joy, as All flesh is grass (Isaiah 40:6 ).

‏ Song of Solomon 1

The Title of the Book.

This verse introduces the Song of Solomon. The book is called a "song" because it is meant to touch our feelings and help us love God more. Poetry can make our hearts warm with devotion. The subject of this song is joyful, so it is right to sing it and make melody with our hearts unto the Lord (Psalm 98:1 ^a). This book is also called the song of songs, meaning it is the best and most excellent of all songs. It is better than any other song Solomon wrote, and it is even above all other songs in the Bible because it speaks so much about Christ.

v. 1: The first verse says, The song of songs, which is Solomon’s . This shows that Solomon wrote it. Unlike many love songs that are foolish, this is written by the wisest man. It is wise to celebrate God’s love for people and to encourage love for God in ourselves and others. Solomon wrote many songs—over a thousand (1 Kings 4:32 ^b)—but this one about holy love remains. He used his gift for poetry to honor God and help the church. Solomon’s name means beloved of the Lord (2 Samuel 12:25 ^c), so he was the right person to write about God’s love. Even though he was a busy king, he made time for worship and devotion, showing that everyone should make time to be close to God. Some believe Solomon wrote this song after turning back to God, as a way to show his repentance and use his talent for good. Others think he wrote it early in his reign when he was close to God and happy. The exact time is not certain, but it is clear that he wrote it out of deep love for the Lord. This song may also be about Solomon as a symbol of Christ, who is full of wisdom. After reading Ecclesiastes and seeing how empty life is without God, this song helps us seek real happiness in Christ’s love. Only in communion with God do we find lasting joy, as All flesh is grass (Isaiah 40:6 ^d).

The Bride’s Longing for the Bridegroom’s Love

This section begins the Song of Solomon with a passionate desire for the love of the beloved. The words are spoken by the bride, expressing her longing for the expressions of her beloved’s love and her admiration for him. Matthew Henry explains these words as both the voice of a loving bride and, in a spiritual sense, as the longing of the soul (or the church) for Christ.

v. 2: Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine(Song of Solomon 1:2 ^e). The bride speaks with great affection. She desires to experience the love of her beloved in a direct and personal way. In spiritual meaning, this is like the soul longing for the sweet experience of Christ’s love and the assurance of his favor. The “kiss” is a sign of love, friendship, and reconciliation. The believer desires to feel God’s love, to have evidence of his grace, and to enjoy his presence. The soul that truly loves Christ cannot be satisfied with anything less than real communion with him. The love of Christ is greater and more delightful than any earthly pleasure, even better than wine, which is often used in the Bible as a symbol of joy and celebration. Christ’s love brings more joy, comfort, and satisfaction than anything the world can offer.

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The Love of the Church to Christ.

This section tells about a believer’s deep love for Christ and the desire for close friendship with Him. The believer turns away from others and looks to Christ for help and comfort. The church, like a shepherdess, seeks to be near her beloved Shepherd, Jesus Christ, and wants to enjoy His care and presence.

v. 7: The bride, or the church, humbly asks Christ, O thou whom my soul loveth, tell me where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon . She calls Jesus the one her soul loves, which shows her true and deep love for Him. She believes that Jesus is the Good Shepherd who takes care of His people, feeding and giving them rest even in hard times (Isaiah 40:11 ^f). She wants to know where to find Him and to be close to Him, not to distract Him but to enjoy His company while He cares for His flock. Her reason is, For why should I be as one that turns aside by the flocks of thy companions? She does not want to follow anyone else or appear to leave Christ for other leaders. She is afraid of anything that might make people think she does not love Christ. She prays for help so she will not even seem to go astray (Hebrews 4:1 ^g). She also wants to avoid being away from Christ, knowing that distance from Him brings danger and temptation.

v. 8: Christ answers kindly, saying, If 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 . He calls her beautiful, showing how much He values those who trust in Him, even if they feel weak. He gently points out that she should have known where to find Him, but He is patient. To find Christ, she should follow the example of faithful believers from the past (Proverbs 2:20; Hebrews 6:12 ^h; 1 Corinthians 11:1 ⁱ). She should also gather with God's people and listen to good teachers. Her family and those she leads should join her in worship and learning about Christ, so everyone benefits from being close to Him (Exodus 2:17 ^j).

v. 9: Christ praises His bride, saying, I have compared thee, O my love, to a company of horses in Pharaoh’s chariots . This means that, even though she feels weak, He has made her strong and bold, like the best and bravest horses. The church does not need to fear enemies, because Christ gives her courage (Job 39:19; Proverbs 28:1 ^k; Zechariah 10:3 ^l). With His help, she can stand firm against any danger, just as the horses in Pharaoh’s chariots were strong and victorious (Habakkuk 3:15; Isaiah 63:13 ^m).

v. 10: Christ continues to admire her, saying, Thy cheeks are comely with rows of jewels, thy neck with chains of gold . This means the church is made beautiful by the gifts and graces God gives her. Like jewelry, the blessings of the Holy Spirit make believers lovely to God. These gifts are not from ourselves, but from God, who clothes us with spiritual beauty (Ezekiel 16:14 ⁿ).

v. 11: Christ promises even greater blessings, saying, We will make thee borders of gold with studs of silver . This means God will continue to add grace and beauty to His people. If the church is already strong and beautiful in faith, God will give even more, making her perfect in the end (Ezekiel 16:14 ^o). The use of "We" shows that all the persons of the Godhead—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—work together to make believers complete and lovely (Genesis 1:26 ^p).

Conference between Christ and His Church.

This passage is a conversation between Christ and His church, where they share loving words with each other. It shows the close and joyful relationship between Jesus and believers.

v. 12: Believers honor Christ as their King. When Christ sits at His table, believers feel deep respect and joy. His table is like a royal feast, full of blessings for His people (Isaiah 25:6; Proverbs 9:1 ^q). Jesus welcomes His people, shares with them, and listens to their prayers. When believers worship, especially at the Lord’s Supper, they want to show their love and thankfulness to Christ. Their faith and love are like sweet perfume, pleasing to Him, just as Mary’s costly ointment filled the house with fragrance when Jesus was at the table (John 12:3 ^r). The graces God gives believers are precious to Christ, and His presence makes their faith grow stronger. If Christ is near, their hearts are alive; if He is far, their faith becomes weak. So, believers should always seek to honor Christ with sincere hearts (Hebrews 12:28 ^s).

v. 13: Believers love Christ deeply and call Him their beloved. They see Him as a bundle of myrrh and a cluster of camphire—symbols of sweetness and value (Song of Solomon 1:13 ^t). Christ is everything pleasant and refreshing to them. His gospel and His Spirit bring comfort and joy. The word for camphire also means atonement, reminding believers that Jesus is the one who makes them right with God. Each believer can say, “He is precious to me.” They want Christ to be close to their hearts always, like a perfume bag worn near the chest. Christ must live in their hearts (Ephesians 3:17 ^u), and nothing else should take His place (Hosea 2:2 ^v).

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v. 15: Christ delights in His church and calls her beautiful: Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves’ eyes . Jesus sees real beauty in those who are made holy by His grace. Even if believers feel weak or unworthy, Christ sees them as lovely. He values a gentle and sincere heart, like the pure eyes of a dove (1 Peter 3:4 ^w). This comforts believers who feel discouraged, reminding them that Christ’s grace has made them beautiful in His sight.

v. 16: The church responds, praising Christ: Behold, thou art fair, my beloved, yea, pleasant . She says that Christ is the true source of beauty and joy. Any goodness in her comes from Him. Christ is not only beautiful but also pleasant to those who belong to Him. When believers are close to Christ, especially in worship, they experience His love and kindness in a special way. The church also celebrates the blessings she shares with Christ, calling them ours. Believers and Christ share all things together, just as husband and wife are joint-heirs (Romans 8:17; 1 Peter 3:7 ^x). The green bed and cedar beams speak of a fresh, fruitful, and lasting relationship with Christ. The church is strong and joyful because of Him (Psalm 52:8; Romans 7:4 ^y).

v. 17: The church continues, The beams of our house are cedar, and our rafters of fir (Song of Solomon 1:17 ^z). This points to the strength and beauty of the church’s relationship with Christ. Cedar and fir are strong and pleasant woods, showing that the church is built to last and is a place of joy. The church, like a temple, is firm and delightful, and every part of God’s covenant is strong and full of blessing.