Song of Solomon Chapter 4

Authorized King James Version

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Chapter Overview

Song of Solomon 4 is a poetic love song chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of love, grace, covenant. Written during Solomon's reign (c. 970-930 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Ancient Near Eastern love poetry often used agricultural and royal imagery.

The chapter can be divided into several sections:

  1. Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
  2. Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
  3. Verses 13-16: Central message and teachings

This chapter is significant because it addresses timeless questions about faith, suffering, and divine purpose. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Song of Solomon and its broader place in the scriptural canon.

Solomon Praises His Beloved

1 Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves' eyes within thy locks: thy hair is as a flock of goats, that appear from mount Gilead. Related: Song of Solomon 1:15, 6:5, 6:7, 7:5, Micah 7:14

2 Thy teeth are like a flock of sheep that are even shorn, which came up from the washing; whereof every one bear twins, and none is barren among them. Related: Song of Solomon 6:6

3 Thy lips are like a thread of scarlet, and thy speech is comely: thy temples are like a piece of a pomegranate within thy locks. Related: Song of Solomon 5:16, 6:7, Joshua 2:18

4 Thy neck is like the tower of David builded for an armoury, whereon there hang a thousand bucklers, all shields of mighty men. Related: Song of Solomon 7:4, 2 Samuel 22:51, Nehemiah 3:19, 1 Peter 1:5

5 Thy two breasts are like two young roes that are twins, which feed among the lilies. Related: Song of Solomon 2:16, 6:3, 7:3, 8:10, Proverbs 5:19, 1 Peter 2:2

6 Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, I will get me to the mountain of myrrh, and to the hill of frankincense. Related: Song of Solomon 2:17, 4:14, Luke 1:78

7 Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee. Related: Song of Solomon 1:15, 4:1, Colossians 1:22, 2 Peter 3:14, Jude 1:24

8 Come with me from Lebanon, my spouse, with me from Lebanon: look from the top of Amana, from the top of Shenir and Hermon, from the lions' dens, from the mountains of the leopards. Related: Song of Solomon 2:13, Deuteronomy 3:9, 1 Chronicles 5:23, Psalms 45:10

9 Thou hast ravished my heart, my sister, my spouse; thou hast ravished my heart with one of thine eyes, with one chain of thy neck. Related: Song of Solomon 4:12, 7:10, Psalms 45:9, Isaiah 54:5, 62:5, Ezekiel 16:8, Zephaniah 3:17, John 3:29, 2 Corinthians 11:2, Revelation 21:2 +5

10 How fair is thy love, my sister, my spouse! how much better is thy love than wine! and the smell of thine ointments than all spices! Related: Song of Solomon 7:6

11 Thy lips, O my spouse, drop as the honeycomb: honey and milk are under thy tongue; and the smell of thy garments is like the smell of Lebanon. Related: Song of Solomon 5:1, 5:13, 7:9, Genesis 27:27

The Bride Is a Garden Locked

12 A garden inclosed is my sister, my spouse; a spring shut up, a fountain sealed. Related: 1 Corinthians 6:13, 7:34, Revelation 7:3, 21:27

13 Thy plants are an orchard of pomegranates, with pleasant fruits; camphire, with spikenard, Related: Song of Solomon 1:12, 1:14, 6:11, Ecclesiastes 2:5

14 Spikenard and saffron; calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices: Related: Song of Solomon 1:12, 3:6, 4:6, 6:2, Exodus 30:23, Proverbs 7:17, Ezekiel 27:19 +2

15 A fountain of gardens, a well of living waters, and streams from Lebanon. Related: Jeremiah 2:13, John 4:10, 4:14, 7:38

16 Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits. Related: Song of Solomon 5:1, 6:2, Ezekiel 37:9, 1 Peter 2:5