Song of Solomon 3

Chapter 3

Young Woman

1 One night as I lay in bed, I yearned for my lover.
I yearned for him, but he did not come.2 So I said to myself, “I will get up and roam the city,
searching in all its streets and squares.
I will search for the one I love.”
So I searched everywhere but did not find him.3 The watchmen stopped me as they made their rounds,
and I asked, “Have you seen the one I love?”4 Then scarcely had I left them
when I found my love!
I caught and held him tightly,
then I brought him to my mother’s house,
into my mother’s bed, where I had been conceived.5 Promise me, O women of Jerusalem,
by the gazelles and wild deer,
not to awaken love until the time is right.t

Young Women of Jerusalem

6 Who is this sweeping in from the wilderness
like a cloud of smoke?
Who is it, fragrant with myrrh and frankincense
and every kind of spice?7 Look, it is Solomon’s carriage,
surrounded by sixty heroic men,
the best of Israel’s soldiers.8 They are all skilled swordsmen,
experienced warriors.
Each wears a sword on his thigh,
ready to defend the king against an attack in the night.9 King Solomon’s carriage is built
of wood imported from Lebanon.10 Its posts are silver,
its canopy gold;
its cushions are purple.
It was decorated with love
by the young women of Jerusalem.

Young Woman

11 Come out to see King Solomon,
young women of Jerusalem.t
He wears the crown his mother gave him on his wedding day,
his most joyous day.

SONG OF SONGS 3

Beautiful Dreams

She Speaks:

1 While in bed at night,
I reached for the one I love
with heart and soul.
I looked for him,
but he wasn't there.

2 So I searched through the town
for the one I love.
I looked on every street,
but he wasn't there.

3 I even asked the guards
patrolling the town,
“Have you seen the one
I love so much?”

4 Right after that, I found him.
I held him and would not let go
until I had taken him
to the home of my mother.

5 Young women of Jerusalem,
promise me by the power
of deer and gazelles, t
never to awaken love
before it is ready.

The Groom //and the Wedding Party

Their Friends Speak:

6 What do we see approaching
from the desert
like a cloud of smoke?
With it comes the sweet smell
of spices, including myrrh
and frankincense.

7 It is King Solomon
carried on a throne,
surrounded by sixty
of Israel's best soldiers.

8 Each of them wears a sword.
They are experts at fighting,
even in the dark.

9 The throne is made of trees
from Lebanon.

10 Its posts are silver,
the back is gold,
and the seat is covered
with purple cloth.
You women of Jerusalem
have taken great care
to furnish the inside.t

11 Now come and see the crown
given to Solomon by his mother
on his happy wedding day.