2
3
4
Y We will rejoice and be glad for you;
we will praise your love more than wine.
we will praise your love more than wine.
W It is only right that they adore you.
5
6
Do not stare at me because I am dark,
for the sun has gazed on me.
My mother’s sons were angry with me;(I)
they made me a keeper of the vineyards.(J)
I have not kept my own vineyard.(g)
for the sun has gazed on me.
My mother’s sons were angry with me;(I)
they made me a keeper of the vineyards.(J)
I have not kept my own vineyard.(g)
7
Tell me, you, the one I love:(K)
Where do you pasture your sheep?(L)
Where do you let them rest at noon?(M)
Why should I be like one who veils herself(h)(i)
beside the flocks of your companions?(N)
Where do you pasture your sheep?(L)
Where do you let them rest at noon?(M)
Why should I be like one who veils herself(h)(i)
beside the flocks of your companions?(N)
8
M(j) If you do not know,
most beautiful of women,(O)
follow(k) the tracks of the flock,
and pasture your young goats
near the shepherds’ tents.
most beautiful of women,(O)
follow(k) the tracks of the flock,
and pasture your young goats
near the shepherds’ tents.
Footnotes:
a.
Song of Solomon 1:1: Or The Song of Songs, which is Solomon’s
b.
Song of Solomon 1:2: The W, M, Y, N, and B indicate the editors’ opinions of the changes of speakers: W Woman, M Man, Y Young women of Jerusalem, N Narrator, B Brothers. If a letter is in parenthesis (W), there is a question about the identity of the speaker.
c.
Song of Solomon 1:2: Unexpected change of grammatical persons, here from he and his to your, is a Hb poetic device.
d.
Song of Solomon 1:2: Or your caresses are, or your lovemaking is
e.
Song of Solomon 1:3: Or wonder virgins
f.
Song of Solomon 1:4: Or The king has brought
g.
Song of Solomon 1:6: Lit my vineyard, which is mine
h.
Song of Solomon 1:7: Or who wanders
i.
Song of Solomon 1:7: To express shame or grief, or to conceal identity as a prostitute would; Gn 38:14-15
j.
Song of Solomon 1:8: Some understand the young women to be the speakers in this verse.
k.
Song of Solomon 1:8: Lit go out for yourself into
l.
Song of Solomon 1:9: Lit my
m.
Song of Solomon 1:9: Pharaoh’s chariot horses were stallions.
n.
Song of Solomon 1:12: Or is at his table
o.
Song of Solomon 1:12: Lit nard
p.
Song of Solomon 1:14: Wellspring of the Young Goat
q.
Song of Solomon 1:17: Or firs, or pines