Song of Solomon 3

1 On my bed [bed of rest, place of intimacy] at [period of darkness, time of adversity] night I sought [searched for, longed to find] the one I [have affection for, deeply love] love; I sought [searched diligently, looked everywhere] him, but did not [was unable to, could not] find him. word study 2 I will arise [get up, stand] now and go about [walk around, search] the city [town, settlement], through the streets [public thoroughfares] and squares [open spaces, plazas]. I will seek [search for, look diligently] the one I love [my soul’s desire, beloved]. So I sought [looked for, searched] him but did not find [discover, attain] him. word study 3 I encountered [met by chance, came upon] the watchmen [city guards, those who keep] on their rounds [patrolling, surrounding] of the city [a place of settlement, a town]: “Have you seen [looked upon, gazed at] the one [him whom, my beloved] I love [have affection for, cherish, shay/ahabah, to love]?” word study 4 I had just passed [a little way, briefly] them when I found [came face to face with, discovered] the one I love [my soul’s beloved, my heart’s desire]. I held [grasped, took hold of] him and would not let go [release, slacken my grip] until I had brought [led, guided] him to my mother’s house [my family’s home, my childhood dwelling], to the chamber [private room, innermost part] of the one who conceived [bore, gave birth to] me. word study 5 O daughters [women, female children] of Jerusalem, I adjure [solemnly charge, swear an oath] you by the gazelles [beautiful, swift creatures] and does [female deer, gentle animals] of the field: Do not arouse [stir up, awaken] or awaken [rouse, excite] love [affection, tender emotion] until the time [season, moment] is right [pleasing, satisfactory]. word study 6 Who [this one, the beloved] is this coming up [ascending, rising] from the wilderness [the desert, a place of testing] like a column [pillars, a cloud] of smoke [a fragrant vapor], scented with myrrh [a bitter resin] and frankincense [a sweet incense] from all [every kind, the entirety] the spices [aromatic powders, fragrant spices] of the merchant [a trader, one who exchanges goods]? word study 7 Behold [look, see], it is Solomon’s [the king of Israel] carriage [bed, litter, or sedan chair], escorted by sixty [threescore] of the mightiest [strongest, most valiant] men [warriors, champions] of Israel [the descendants of Jacob]. word study 8 All [every single one, without exception] are skilled [expert, trained] with the sword [weapon, instrument of war], experienced [taught, learned] in warfare [battle, conflict]. Each [every individual] has his sword [weapon, cutting instrument] at his side [on his thigh, by his leg] prepared [ready, equipped] for the terror [fear, dread] of the night [darkness, adversity]. word study 9 King Solomon [a king of Israel] has made [constructed, built] his carriage [palanquin, sedan chair] out of the timber [wood, trees] of Lebanon [a mountain range in Israel, known for its white snow or limestone peaks]. word study 10 He has made its posts [pillars, columns] of silver [valuable metal, wealth], its base [bottom, foundation] of gold [precious, highly valued], its seat [cushion, throne] of purple [royal, luxurious] fabric [cloth, tapestry]. Its interior [midst, center] is inlaid [paved, fitted] with love [affection, devotion] by the daughters [women, girls] of Jerusalem [the city of peace, God’s holy city]. word study 11 Come out, O daughters [women, female children] of Zion [the city of God, Jerusalem], and gaze [look, behold] at King Solomon [the peaceful ruler], wearing the crown [royal diadem] his mother [female parent, maternal figure] bestowed [crowned, gave] on the day [period of time, occasion] of his wedding [marriage, espousals]— the day [time, occasion] of his heart’s [inner being, emotions] rejoicing [joy, gladness]. word study