I simply need to spend more time with the book. It’s difficult for me to grasp poetry on the first or even second time. Obvious themes stand out, but more subtle things escape me. Obviously, I understood more this time through than last time.

Thanks to John MacArthur for adding some charts in his study Bible. They helped me through the local metaphors. Now, I need to find a good commentary for it.

Next time, Lord-willing, I will learn more.

In chapter 5, the couple has their first argument / misunderstanding. They resolve it later though. Reconciliation is a sweet thing.

In chapter 6, we see a phrase repeated twice: “…awesome as an army of banners.” It brings to mind some Roman and medieval war movies, victorious armies parading through cities.

In chapter 7, there is a phrase, a compliment, found also in 4:5. The compliment, “Your breasts are like two fawns, twins of a gazelle.” I assume that means youthful, perky, bouncy? The phrase, “Eyes are like doves,” is used multiple times. And finally, “I am my beloved’s,” is used three times throughout the book.

In chapter 8, we see another oft’ repeated phrase, “Don’t stir up or awaken love until it pleases.” I’m still pondering that. Verse six has a memorable phrase, “For love is strong as death.” Verse nine makes me wonder if it is a metaphor for your sexuality. Are you a wall or a door? Closed off or easily opened? Shut people out or let people in? In chapter 4:12, there is another series of phrases I think similar. Locked garden, locked spring, sealed fountain.

Forgive my lack of writing. I will include only minor verse comments here:

• 1:9- My dad calls my mom “a mare” sometimes because her name is “Mary.” Unfortunately for him, he leaves out the “among Pharaoh’s chariots.” If he included that, she might take it as a compliment.
• 1:14- Henna blossoms in En Gedi. Have you seen them before? Beautiful.
• 2:2- Not a rose, but a lily. A lily among brambles. Brambles are similar to thorns.
• 2:5- I am sick with love. What a line!
• 2:7 & 3:5- Do not stir up or awaken love until it pleases. Ponder that for awhile.
• 2:16- My beloved is mine and I am his. If we thought about marital relationships like this, we would be much better off in this country I believe.
• 3:1-4- The phrase is repeated 4x in 4 separate verses “him whom my soul loves.” This gives me the impression that it’s important. And it’s a lovely phrase. A good arrangement of words.
• 4:7- What a solid line! I’m going to pass this on to my wife today…

“You are altogether beautiful, my love;there is no flaw in you.”

First, I do not understand the title. For such an extravagant work of poetry, surely you could title it something other than Song of Solomon. Song of Songs isn’t much better. Unless it means that this is the best song of all songs ever written. In which case, I have a lot more to learn before reaching that conclusion.

Second, I can’t seem to make sense of this poem. Many say it is an allegory, a picture of Christ and the Church. But when I read it, all I see is concrete metaphors from one physical human being to another physical human being. Female to male, male back to female, with occasional cheers/refrains from a third party group of onlookers. I see lovers describing intimacy and passion for one another, not a spiritual allegory.

Third, because of 1 & 2, I want to learn more. Just a couple days ago, I began reading the opening chapters, and it is obvious to me how little I understand. I don’t understand many of the metaphors or comparisons the lovers are making. It’s not that I’m dense (although I will admit to it at times); the problem is that some of the allusions are to cultural artifacts. I don’t know that culture well.

Lord help me as I try to make sense of this thing.