Read | Song of Songs 6:4–7:10
Man
You are as beautiful as Tirzah, my darling,
lovely as Jerusalem,
awe-inspiring as an army with banners.
Turn your eyes away from me,
for they captivate me.
Your hair is like a flock of goats
streaming down from Gilead.
Your teeth are like a flock of ewes
coming up from washing,
each one having a twin,
and not one missing.
Behind your veil,
your brow is like a slice of pomegranate.
There are sixty queens
and eighty concubines
and young women without number.
But my dove, my virtuous one, is unique;
she is the favorite of her mother,
perfect to the one who gave her birth.
Women see her and declare her fortunate;
queens and concubines also, and they sing her praises:
Who is this who shines like the dawn,
as beautiful as the moon,
bright as the sun,
awe-inspiring as an army with banners?
Woman
I came down to the walnut grove
to see the blossoms of the valley,
to see if the vines were budding
and the pomegranates blooming.
I didn’t know what was happening to me.
I felt like I was
in a chariot with a nobleman.
Young Women
Come back, come back, Shulammite!
Come back, come back, that we may look at you!
Man
How you gaze at the Shulammite,
as you look at the dance of the two camps!
How beautiful are your sandaled feet, princess!
The curves of your thighs are like jewelry,
the handiwork of a master.
Your navel is a rounded bowl;
it never lacks mixed wine.
Your belly is a mound of wheat
surrounded by lilies.
Your breasts are like two fawns,
twins of a gazelle.
Your neck is like a tower of ivory,
your eyes like pools in Heshbon
by Bath-rabbim’s gate.
Your nose is like the tower of Lebanon
looking toward Damascus.
Your head crowns you like Mount Carmel,
the hair of your head like purple cloth—
a king could be held captive in your tresses.
How beautiful you are and how pleasant,
my love, with such delights!
Your stature is like a palm tree;
your breasts are clusters of fruit.
I said, “I will climb the palm tree
and take hold of its fruit.”
May your breasts be like clusters of grapes,
and the fragrance of your breath like apricots.
Your mouth is like fine wine—
Woman
flowing smoothly for my love,
gliding past my lips and teeth!
I am my love’s,
and his desire is for me.
Click here to listen to the Scripture in ESV.
Notice all the imagery used in this romantic poem. How does the man’s love poem for his beloved make you feel?
Focus
Read this story of experiencing God from congregants in our church, Sandra and Billy Howell (Downtown Campus). How does it encourage and challenge you to notice God, and see how his word is present in your life?
Pray
Craft a prayer based on today’s Scripture passage, and the congregant’s story. Consider rereading the Scripture passage while using pen and paper to write out your own thoughts and prayers inspired by God’s words.
Going Deeper
If you are also following the BibleProject’s One Story That Leads to Jesus reading plan, complete today’s reading.
