Song of Solomon, Day 3 Readings

A Man Excited about Marriage and a Woman Fearful to Lose Him  

Today's reading continues the poetic conversation between a man and a woman who are attracted to each other.  The first long section is spoken by the man who takes up the wedding imagery and rhapsodizes about how wonderful it would be to be married to this woman.  She is so desirable, and she has so conquered his heart, that he dreams of nothing except spending time with her.

The woman, hearing this, is delighted and invites the man to make good on his suggestion -- that is, to marry her.  Then, though, she has doubts and worries that he might somehow leave her.  She dreams of him calling to her one night, and that when she opens the door, she finds him gone.  The loss devastates her because she finds him to be the most wonderful man.

Note: The Hebrew text does not identify the speakers, but some Biblical translations suggest speakers in the Song of Solomon.  The Common English Bible (CEB) translation presents Song of Solomon as a dialogue between a man and a woman, with occasional group comments, and it identifies the speakers.  The New International Version (NIV) believes that the man and woman are more frequently interrupted by group comments, and it identifies all of the speakers.  The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) does not identify the speakers.

Read Song of Solomon 4:1-5:16  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)

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