5
The Torment of Separation
(The Bridegroom)
1 “I have come into my garden, my sister, my [promised] bride;
I have gathered my myrrh along with my balsam and spice [from your sweet words].
I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey;
I have drunk my wine with my milk.
Eat, friends;
Drink and drink deeply, O lovers.” [John 16:33]
(The Shulammite Bride)
2 “I was asleep, but my heart was awake.
A voice [in my dream]! My beloved was knocking:
‘Open to me, my sister, my darling,
My dove, my perfect one!
For my head is drenched with the [heavy night] dew;
My hair [is covered] with the dampness of the night.’ [Job 11:13-15]
3 “I had taken off my dress,
How can I put it on again?
I had washed my feet,
How could I get them dirty again? [Is 32:9; Heb 3:15]
4 “My beloved extended his hand through the opening [of the door],
And my feelings were aroused for him.
5 “I arose to open for my beloved;
And my hands dripped with myrrh,
And my fingers with liquid [sweet-scented] myrrh,
On the handles of the bolt.
6 “I opened for my beloved,
But my beloved had turned away and was gone.
My heart went out to him when he spoke.
I searched for him, but I could not find him;
I called him, but he did not answer me.
7 “The watchmen who make the rounds in the city found me.
They struck me, they wounded me;
The guardsmen of the walls took my shawl from me.
8 “I command that you take an oath, O daughters of Jerusalem,
If you find my beloved,
As to what you tell him—
[Say that] I am sick from love [sick from being without him].” [Ps 63:1]
(The Chorus)
9 “What is your beloved more than another beloved,
O most beautiful among women?
What is your beloved more than another beloved,
That you should so command us to take an oath?” [John 10:26]
Admiration by the Bride
(The Shulammite Bride)
10 “My beloved is exquisitely handsome and ruddy,
Outstanding among ten thousand. [Ps 45:2; John 1:14]
11 “His head is like [precious] gold, pure gold;
His hair is [curly] like clusters of dates
And black as a raven.
12 “His eyes are like doves
Beside streams of water,
Bathed in milk
And reposed in their setting.
13 “His cheeks are like a bed of balsam,
Banks of sweet, fragrant herbs.
His lips are lilies
Dripping sweet-scented myrrh.
14 “His hands are rods of gold
Set with beryl;
His abdomen is a figure of carved ivory
Inlaid with sapphires.
15 “His legs are [strong and steady] pillars of alabaster
Set upon pedestals of fine gold.
His appearance is like Lebanon,
Stately and choice as the cedars.
16 “His mouth is full of sweetness;
Yes, he is altogether lovely and desirable.
This is my beloved and this is my friend,
O daughters of Jerusalem.” [Ps 92:15; Col 1:15]