What happensPermalink
The “Song of Songs,” meaning the greatest song, opens with a woman longing for her beloved’s kisses and presence. Sun-darkened because her angry brothers made her work outdoors, she nevertheless declares herself lovely. She asks where her beloved grazes his flock so she can meet him rather than search among other shepherds. He, or perhaps the chorus, directs her toward the shepherds’ tents. The lovers then exchange extravagant praise through images of jewelry, perfume, flowers, birds, and a green countryside.
Why it mattersPermalink
The Song introduces its main voices: the woman, the man, and a chorus, although the Hebrew does not always identify speakers clearly. Desire is mutual: each lover sees, seeks, and praises the other. The woman’s repeated phrase “whom my soul loves” expresses the depth of her attachment, while her response to sun-darkened skin resists others’ judgment of her beauty.
Key versePermalink
Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth! For your love is better than wine.