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Song of Solomon 5

Song of Solomon 5 is a continuation of the bride’s longing for her beloved, symbolizing the deep and passionate relationship between them. The chapter begins with the bridegroom's invitation to enjoy the fullness of their union, followed by the bride's distress when she is separated from him. Her search for him and the way she describes him reveal her admiration and deep love. The chapter is rich in imagery, representing both the intimate bond between lovers and the deep spiritual longing of a soul for God.

Song of Solomon 5:1 (NKJV)
1 I have come to my garden, my sister, my spouse; I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk. Eat, O friends! Drink, yes, drink deeply, O beloved ones!

The beloved speaks, indicating he has arrived and enjoyed the fruits of his labor in the garden. The garden represents the bride, and his satisfaction reflects their deepened relationship. He invites others to share in this joy, symbolizing the blessing and fullness of love, which others can witness and rejoice in.

Song of Solomon 5:2 (NKJV)
2 I sleep, but my heart is awake; It is the voice of my beloved! He knocks, saying, “Open for me, my sister, my love, my dove, my perfect one; for my head is covered with dew, my locks with the drops of the night.”

The bride describes her inner turmoil as she sleeps yet remains restless, aware of her beloved's presence. His knock at the door is an invitation for intimacy, but he is weary from the night. His words, full of affection, express his deep love and longing for her, even in his tiredness.

Song of Solomon 5:3 (NKJV)
3 I have taken off my robe; how can I put it on again? I have washed my feet; how can I defile them?

The bride hesitates, expressing reluctance to disturb her comfort for her beloved. Her response reveals a moment of complacency or hesitation in reciprocating his longing, indicating a challenge in their relationship, where love requires sacrifice and effort.

Song of Solomon 5:4 (NKJV)
4 My beloved put his hand by the latch of the door, and my heart yearned for him.

Her beloved tries to open the door himself, a sign of his persistence and desire. The bride’s heart stirs with longing at his touch, realizing she desires to be with him. This reflects the awakening of deeper love after a brief separation or hesitation.

Song of Solomon 5:5 (NKJV)
5 I arose to open for my beloved, and my hands dripped with myrrh, my fingers with liquid myrrh, on the handles of the lock.

The bride, now filled with longing, rises to meet him. The mention of myrrh suggests the sweetness and richness of her love. Her readiness to open the door indicates her change of heart and her willingness to fully embrace her beloved.

Song of Solomon 5:6 (NKJV)
6 I opened for my beloved, but my beloved had turned away and was gone. My heart leaped up when he spoke. I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer.

She opens the door, but her beloved has already departed, leaving her in distress. Her heart aches for him, and she begins a frantic search. This passage reflects the pain of separation and the yearning to be reunited, mirroring the soul’s search for divine love when it feels distant.

Song of Solomon 5:7 (NKJV)
7 The watchmen who went about the city found me. They struck me, they wounded me; the keepers of the walls took my veil away from me.

In her search for her beloved, the bride encounters harsh treatment from the watchmen, possibly representing those who do not understand her longing. Their mistreatment emphasizes the vulnerability and struggle one faces in seeking love or spiritual connection, sometimes encountering obstacles and opposition.

Song of Solomon 5:8 (NKJV)
8 I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if you find my beloved, that you tell him I am lovesick!

The bride calls upon the daughters of Jerusalem to assist in her search, declaring her lovesickness. Her deep affection and yearning for her beloved drive her to enlist help, showing that love is sometimes a shared pursuit, one that requires others to understand and support.

Song of Solomon 5:9 (NKJV)
9 What is your beloved more than another beloved, O fairest among women? What is your beloved more than another beloved, that you so charge us?

The daughters of Jerusalem ask the bride what makes her beloved so special. This question prompts the bride to describe her beloved in detail, highlighting the unique qualities that make her love for him so intense. It reflects how love often requires an explanation of why it is different or worth pursuing.

Song of Solomon 5:10-16 (NKJV)
10 My beloved is white and ruddy, chief among ten thousand.
11 His head is like the finest gold; his locks are wavy, and black as a raven.
12 His eyes are like doves by the rivers of waters, washed with milk, and fitly set.
13 His cheeks are like a bed of spices, banks of scented herbs. His lips are lilies, dripping liquid myrrh.
14 His hands are rods of gold set with beryl. His body is carved ivory inlaid with sapphires.
15 His legs are pillars of marble set on bases of fine gold. His countenance is like Lebanon, excellent as the cedars.
16 His mouth is most sweet, yes, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem!

The bride answers the daughters of Jerusalem by passionately describing her beloved's physical and character attributes. His beauty, strength, and charm are unparalleled, making him stand out among all others. She describes his head, eyes, cheeks, lips, hands, body, and legs in poetic imagery, reflecting her admiration and deep affection. The detailed description elevates him above all others, showing how deeply she cherishes him. This passage can also be interpreted spiritually, symbolizing the perfection of Christ, admired by His followers.

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