The Bible: Song of Solomon Chapter 8: with Audio and Commentary.

Version: World English Bible.

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Song of Solomon Chapter 8

1 Oh that you were like my brother, who nursed from the breasts of my mother! If I found you outside, I would kiss you; yes, and no one would despise me.

2 I would lead you, bringing you into the house of my mother, who would instruct me. I would have you drink spiced wine, of the juice of my pomegranate.

3 His left hand would be under my head. His right hand would embrace me.

4 I adjure you, daughters of Jerusalem, that you not stir up, nor awaken love, until it so desires.

Friends

5 Who is this who comes up from the wilderness, leaning on her beloved?

Beloved

Under the apple tree I aroused you. There your mother conceived you. There she was in labour and bore you.

6 Set me as a seal on your heart, as a seal on your arm; for love is strong as death. Jealousy is as cruel as Sheol. Its flashes are flashes of fire, a very flame of the LORD.

7 Many waters can't quench love, neither can floods drown it. If a man would give all the wealth of his house for love, he would be utterly scorned.

Brothers

8 We have a little sister. She has no breasts. What shall we do for our sister in the day when she is to be spoken for?

9 If she is a wall, we will build on her a turret of silver. If she is a door, we will enclose her with boards of cedar.

Beloved

10 I am a wall, and my breasts like towers, then I was in his eyes like one who found peace.

11 Solomon had a vineyard at Baal Hamon. He leased out the vineyard to keepers. Each was to bring a thousand shekels of silver for its fruit.

12 My own vineyard is before me. The thousand are for you, Solomon, two hundred for those who tend its fruit.

Lover

13 You who dwell in the gardens, with friends in attendance, let me hear your voice!

Beloved

14 Come away, my beloved! Be like a gazelle or a young stag on the mountains of spices!

Footnotes

Verse 6 (Sheol)
Sheol is the place of the dead.
Verse 6 (LORD)
When rendered in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS, "LORD" or "GOD" is the translation of God's Proper Name.
Verse 11 (Shekel)
A shekel is about 10 grams or about 0.35 ounces, so 1000 shekels is about 10 kilograms or about 22 pounds.

Version: World English Bible


Audio

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Headings to Indicate Sections (Main Divisions Only)

  1. The Marriage (1:2-2:7)
    1. The Shulamite and the Virgins ready for the Wedding (1:2-6)
    2. The Bride and the Bridegroom (1:7-2:6)
    3. The Voice of the Singer - Wisdom (2:7)
  2. The Betrothal (2:8-7:9)
    1. Memories of the Wooing (2:8-3:5)
    2. The Voice of the Singer: Wisdom (3:5)
    3. The Actual Betrothal (3:6-4:15)
    4. Experiences Following Betrothal (5:2-7:9)
  3. The United Life (7:10-8:14)
    1. The Bride (7:10-8:3)
    2. The Voice of the Singer - Wisdom (8:4)
    3. The Bride and Bridegroom (8:5-8:14)

Song of Solomon Chapter 8 Commentary

Chapter Outline

  1. Desire for communion with Christ. -- (Song 8:1-4)
  2. The vehemence of this desire. -- (Song 8:5-7)
  3. The church pleads for others. -- (Song 8:8-12)
  4. And prays for Christ's coming. -- (Song 8:13,14)

Song 8:1-4

The church wishes for the constant intimacy and freedom with the Lord Jesus that a sister has with a brother. That they might be as his brethren, which they are, when by grace they are made partakers of a Divine nature. Christ is become as our Brother; wherever we find him, let us be ready to own our relation to him, and affection for him, and not fear being despised for it. Is there in us an ardent wish to serve Christ more and better? What then have we laid up in store, to show our affection to the Beloved of our souls? What fruit unto holiness? The church charges all her children that they never provoke Christ to withdraw. We should reason with ourselves, when tempted to do what would grieve the Spirit.

Song 8:5-7

The Jewish church came up from the wilderness, supported by Divine power and favour. The Christian church was raised from a low, desolate condition, by the grace of Christ relied on. Believers, by the power of grace, are brought up from the wilderness. A sinful state is a wilderness in which there is no true comfort; it is a wandering, wanting state: There is no coming out of this wilderness, but leaning on Christ as our Beloved, by faith; not leaning to our own understanding, nor trusting in any righteousness of our own; but in the strength of him, who is the Lord our Righteousness. The words of the church to Christ which follow, entreat an abiding place in his love, and protection by his power. Set me as a seal upon thine heart; let me always have a place in thine heart; let me have an impression of love upon thine heart. Of this the soul would be assured, and without a sense thereof no rest is to be found. Those who truly love Christ, are jealous of every thing that would draw them from him; especially of themselves, lest they should do any thing to provoke him to withdraw from them. If we love Christ, the fear of coming short of his love, or the temptations to forsake him, will be most painful to us. No waters can quench Christ's love to us, nor any floods drown it. Let nothing abate our love to him. Nor will life, and all its comforts, entice a believer from loving Christ. Love of Christ, will enable us to repel and triumph over temptations from the smiles of the world, as well as from its frowns.

Song 8:8-12

The church pleads for the Gentiles, who then had not the word of God, nor the means of grace. Those who are brought to Christ themselves, should contrive what they may do to help others to him. Babes in Christ are always seen among Christians, and the welfare of their weak brethren is an object of continual prayer with the stronger believers. If the beginning of this work were likened to a wall built upon Him the precious Foundation and Corner-stone, then the Gentile church would become as a palace for the great King, built of solid silver. If the first preaching of the gospel were as the making a door through the wall of partition, that door should be lasting, as cased with boards of durable cedar. She shall be carefully and effectually protected, enclosed so as to receive no damage. The church is full of care for those yet uncalled. Christ says, I will do all that is necessary to be done for them. See with what satisfaction we should look back upon the times and seasons, when we were in his eyes as those that find favour. Our hearts are our vineyards, which we must keep with all diligence. To Christ, and to his praise, all our fruits must be dedicated. All that work for Christ, work for themselves, and shall be unspeakable gainers by it.

Song 8:13,14

These verses close the conference between Christ and his church. He first addresses her as dwelling in the gardens, the assemblies and ordinances of his saints. He exhorts her to be constant and frequent in prayers, supplications, and praises, in which he delights. She replies, craving his speedy return to take her to be wholly with Him. The heavens, those high mountains of sweet spices, must contain Christ, till the times come, when every eye shall see him, in all the glory of the better world. True believers as they are looking for, so they are hastening to the coming of that day of the Lord. Let every Christian endeavour to perform the duties of his station, that men may see his good works, and glorify his heavenly Father. Continuing earnest in prayer for what we want, our thanksgivings will abound, and our joy will be full; our souls will be enriched, and our labours prospered. We shall be enabled to look forward to death and judgment without fear. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.