Song of Solomon 3

The Bride’s Troubled Dream

1 "On my bed night after night I sought him

Whom my soul loves;

I sought him but did not find him.

2 ‘*3:2 Or Let me ariseI must arise now and *3:2 Or Let me go aboutgo around in the city;

In the streets and in the public squares

* 3:2 Or Let me seek I must seek him whom my soul loves.’

I sought him but did not find him.

3 "The watchmen who make the rounds in the city found me,

And I said, ‘Have you seen him whom my soul loves?’

4 "Hardly had I *3:4 Lit passedleft them

When I found him whom my soul loves;

I held on to him and would not let him go

Until I had brought him to my mother’s house,

And into the room of her who conceived me."

The Groom

5 "Swear to me, you daughters of Jerusalem,

By the gazelles or by the does of the field,

That you will not disturb or awaken my love

Until she pleases."

Solomon’s Wedding Day

The Bride

6 "*3:6 Lit WhoWhat is this coming up from the wilderness

Like columns of smoke,

Perfumed with myrrh and frankincense,

With all the scented powders of the merchant?

The Chorus

7 "Behold, it is *3:7 I.e., an elegant couch designed to be carried with poles by servantsthe traveling couch of Solomon;

Sixty warriors around it,

Of the warriors of Israel.

8 "All of them are wielders of the sword,

Expert in war;

Each man has his sword at his side,

Guarding against the *3:8 Lit terror in the nightsterrors of the night.

9 "King Solomon has made for himself a *3:9 I.e., an elegant throne with poles, carried by servantssedan chair

From the timber of Lebanon.

10 "He made its posts of silver,

Its *3:10 Or supportback of gold

And its seat of purple fabric,

With its interior lovingly inlaid

By the daughters of Jerusalem.

11 "Go out, you daughters of Zion,

And look at King Solomon with the *3:11 Or wreathcrown

With which his mother has crowned him

On the day of his wedding,

And on the day of the joy of his heart."