Song of Solomon 5

1 I have come [entered, approached] to my garden [a place of beauty and intimacy], my sister [a term of endearment, close relative], my bride [daughter-in-law, beloved]; I have gathered [plucked, harvested] my myrrh [a bitter resin] with my spice [sweet-smelling fragrance]. I have eaten [devoured, consumed] my honeycomb [a sweet, golden treat] with my honey; I have drunk [consumed, feasted on] my wine [fermented, intoxicating] with my milk. The Friends [neighbors, companions] Eat, O friends [companions, loved ones], and drink [feast, be merry]; drink [be filled, indulge] freely [abundantly, without restraint], O beloved [loved ones, dear ones]. word study 2 I sleep [in a state of physical rest, yet spiritually alert], but my heart [the center of my emotions, will, and intellect] is awake. A sound [a voice, a gentle whisper]! My beloved [my dear one, my lover] is knocking [gently rapping, seeking entrance]: “Open to me, my sister [my close relative, my dear companion], my darling [my loved one, my treasure], my dove [a dove or pigeon], my flawless one [my perfect, my complete one]. My head [the seat of my thoughts, my crown] is drenched with dew [refreshed, renewed], my hair [my locks, my adornment] with the dampness [the moisture, the freshness] of the night [the time of rest, the period of darkness].” word study 3 I have taken off [removed, stripped] my robe [tunic, garment]— must I put it back on [clothe myself again]? I have washed [bathed, cleansed] my feet [with water, for purification]— must I soil [defile, make dirty] them again? word study 4 My beloved [dearly loved one, uncle] put his hand [an open hand; strength, a side or share] to the latch [hole, opening]; my heart [internal organs, emotions] pounded [roared, was deeply stirred] for him [toward him, in response to him]. word study 5 I rose up [to stand, to stand firm] to open [to unlock, to engrave] for my beloved [loved one, dear uncle]. My hands [an open hand; strength, a side or share] dripped [dropped, flowing] with myrrh [a bitter resin, perfume], my fingers [used to grasp, hold] with flowing [liquid, sweet-smelling] myrrh [pure myrrh, choicest myrrh] on the handles [palm, handholds] of the bolt [lock, bar]. word study 6 I [as an individual, personally] opened [to my beloved, as an act of affection] for my beloved [my love, the one I cherish], but he had turned [away from me, withdrawn his presence] and gone [departed, left my side]. My heart [soul, the essence of my being] sank [failed, was overwhelmed] at his departure [leaving, his absence]. I sought [searched, looked for] him, but did not find [discover, come across] him. I called [spoke, cried out], but he did not answer [respond, give a reply]. word study 7 I encountered [met, came across] the watchmen [guardians, keepers] on their rounds [going about, surrounding] of the city [town, urban area]. They beat [struck, smote] me and bruised [wounded, hurt] me; they took away [lifted, removed] my cloak [veil, mantle], those guardians [keepers, watchmen] of the walls [city walls, fortifications]. word study 8 O daughters [female children, women] of Jerusalem [the city of peace], I adjure [swear an oath, solemnly charge] you, if [in the event that, whether] you find [discover, attain] my beloved [loved one, dear one], tell [declare openly, inform] him I am [experiencing, feeling] sick [weak, faint] with [overcome by, filled with] love [affection, strong devotion]. word study 9 How is your beloved [most cherished, dear one] better than others, O most beautiful [fairest, lovely] among women? How is your beloved [dearly loved, cherished one] better than another, that you charge [adjure, solemnly ask] us so? word study 10 My beloved [dearly loved one, uncle] is dazzling [clear, bright] and ruddy [red, having a healthy complexion], outstanding [the chiefest, conspicuous] among ten thousand [a myriad, a large multitude]. word study 11 His head [the topmost part of the body] is purest gold [fine, refined]; his hair [locks, flowing tresses] is wavy [bushy, hanging down] and black [dark, shadowy] as a raven [a dark-colored bird]. word study 12 His eyes [like gentle doves, full of warmth] are like doves [pigeons] beside the streams [channels, strong currents] of water [liquid refreshment, spiritual abundance], bathed [washed, cleansed] in milk [richness, abundance] and mounted [fitly set, dwelling in fulness] like jewels [sparkling gems, precious stones]. word study 13 His cheeks [like a garden full of spice trees] are like beds [or terraces] of spice [fragrant herbs], towers [elevated stages] of perfume [sweet fragrance]. His lips [the edge of his mouth] are like lilies, dripping [or prophesying] with flowing [liquid, choice] myrrh [a bitter resin used in perfume]. word study 14 His arms [like gold bars, round] are rods of gold [valuable, brilliant] set with beryl [jasper, a precious gem]. His body [belly, internal organs] is an ivory [white, smooth] panel [plate, slab] bedecked [overlaid, covered] with sapphires [valuable blue stones]. word study 15 His legs [like pillars of marble] are pillars of marble [alabaster] set on bases [sockets, pedestals] of pure gold [refined gold]. His appearance [sight, vision] is like Lebanon [a mountain range], as majestic [excellent, strong] as the cedars [cedar trees, known for strength and durability]. word study 16 His mouth [the roof of his palate, source of sweet words] is most sweet [extremely delicious, full of sweetness]; he is altogether lovely [totally desirable, my delight]. This [the one I adore] is my beloved [my loved one, dear to my heart], and this is my friend [my companion, neighbor], O daughters [women, female children] of Jerusalem [the city of peace]. word study