The Song of Solomon 3:1-11

  • Young woman (1-5)

    • ‘At night, I sought the one I love’ (1)

  • Daughters of Zion (6-11)

    • Solomon’s procession described

3  “Upon my bed during the nights,I sought the one I love.*+ I sought him, but I did not find him.+  2  I will arise and roam the city;In the streets and in the public squares,Let me seek the one I love.* I sought him, but I did not find him.  3  The watchmen making their rounds in the city found me.+ ‘Have you seen the one I love?’*  4  Scarcely had I passed by themWhen I found the one I love.* I held on to him, I would not let him goUntil I brought him into my mother’s house,+Into the interior room of her who conceived me.  5  I put you under oath, O daughters of Jerusalem,By the gazelles and the does of the field: Do not try to awaken or arouse love in me until it feels inclined.”+  6  “What is this coming up from the wilderness like columns of smoke,Perfumed with myrrh and frankincense,With all the fragrant powders of a merchant?”+  7  “Look! It is the couch belonging to Solʹo·mon. Sixty mighty men surround it,Of the mighty men of Israel,+  8  All of them armed with a sword,All trained in warfare,Each with his sword at his sideTo guard against the terrors of the night.”  9  “It is the royal litter* of King Solʹo·monThat he made for himself from the trees of Lebʹa·non.+ 10  Its pillars he made of silver,Its supports of gold. Its seat is of purple wool;Its interior was lovingly decoratedBy the daughters of Jerusalem.” 11  “Go out, O daughters of Zion,Gaze at King Solʹo·monWearing the wedding crown* his mother+ made for himOn the day of his marriage,On the day of his heart’s rejoicing.”

Footnotes

Or “my soul loves.”
Or “my soul loves.”
Or “my soul loves.”
Or “my soul loves.”
A covered couch used to carry a person of importance.
Or “the wreath; the garland.”