11

12:4 ECCLESIAS TES 99°

and the street doors are shut; 4
when the sound of the mill is faint,
when the voice of the bird is silenced, c
and song notes are stilled,
when to go uphill is an ordeal
and a walk is somet hing to dread.
Yet the almond tree is in flower, INTRODUCTION TO
the grasshopper is heavy with food
and the caper bush bears its fruit," THE SONG OF SONGS
Ps49:11 while man goes to his everlasting home. And the mou rners are already walking
to and fro in the street
The Song of So ngs, that is to say 'the greatest of a ll songs', is a series of love
before the silver cord has snap ped,
poems in wh ich lover a nd loved are now united , now divided, now scught , now
or the golden lamp been broken,
or the pitcher shattered at the spring, fo und. The lover is called 'k ing', 1:4 and 12, and 'Solomon' , 3:7 and 9; his
or the pulley cracke d at the well, beloved is ca lled 'the Sh ula rnmite ', 7: 1, which title, it is thought, is related to
the 'Shunamrnitc' of David 's time and Solomon's, I K 1:3; 2:21-22. That
~;~~J:~t: or before the dust returns to the earth as it once came from it, and the breath 7
146:4 to God who gave it.' Solomon was a writer of so ngs Hebrew trad ition was aware, 1 K 5: 12; for this
1:2 Vanity of vanities, Qohelet h says. All is vanityJ reason 'the greatest of all songs' was attributed to him (hence the title, I: I); (/)

Epilogue"
Besides being a sage, Qohelet h also taught his knowledge to the people,
having weighed, studied and amended a great many proverbs. -Qo hclcth tried
in the same way as Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Wisdom were credited to Solomon ~
in his capacity of sage. This titu lar attrib ution ca used t he Song to be placed
9 among the Wisdom Books, a fter Ecclesiastes in the Greek Bible, between
10 Eccles iastes and Wisdom (two 'Solomonic' books) in the Vu lgate. In the Hebrew
II)

to write in an attractive style and to set down truth ful thoughts in a straight- ~
Bible it is the first of the five megilloth, or 'rolls', which were recited a t the
fo rward manner.
great feasts ; the Song was read at Passover.
The words of the sages are like goads, like pegs driven deep; a shepherd uses II
these for the good of his flocks." People have found it surprising that a book that makes no mention of God o
w
One last thing, my son, be warned tha t writing books involves endless hard 12 an d whose vocabulary is so pass iona te shou ld figure in the sacred canon. The
work, and that much study wearies the body . doubts in Jewish circles of the 1st century A.D. were , however, settled by an
5:6
To sum up the whole matter: fear God, and keep his commandments, since 13 a ppeal to tradition. On these same gro unds the Christian Church has always
S I I :13
this is the whole duty of man.' -For God will call all hidden deeds, good or bad, 14 accepted the Song as part of holy scripture.
to judge ment. Of all the O ld Testa ment boo ks this has been most va riously interpreted.
Only two of these interpretations a re accepta ble. T he Je wish rabbi s unders tood
it all egorically ; the rela tio nship of lover a nd beloved is th at bet ween God a nd
Israel, th e traditional p rophetic marriage metaph or dat ing fro m Hosea. T he
write rs of the early Church , with th e exceptio n of T heo do re of Mo ps uestia,
adopted the sa me explanation , though with them th e a llego ry bec ome s one of
Christ and his C hur ch. T his allegorical int erpretation is accep ted, under var iou s
form s, by the majority of Ca tholic commentat or s to day. So me a re co nte nt
with the gene ral theme, the ela boratio n bein g p urely literary, of God the
br ide groom of Isr ael. O thers see in the seq uence of th e So ng the story o f Israel's
changing sea sons of co nversion, hope, d isillusion me nt. Th is las t interp reta tion
is fully exp la ined in the footnotes given here.
Other scho la rs prefer t he more obv io us meaning. For them the Son g is a
coll ecti on of hymns to true Jov e sanct ified by union. And since God has given
12 c . 'the vo ice of the bird is silenced (ceases) ' corr . but also his greatness , by show ing that this worl d is not his blessing to ma rriage, the theme is of t he religious a nd not merely of the
d. He re aga in, cr. 1:4f . indifferent nature fo rms the
worthy of him. It incite s the reade r to disint erested
backclo th for human death, T he old m an dies at the relig ion and to that kind of prayer in wh ich a creature , phys ical orde r. O ther book s of th e O ld Testament touch upo n this same subject
very mom ent that nature rev ives with the spring, 'is aware of its not hingne ss, ado res the mystery of God. of human love, Pro ver bs an d Ecclesia sticus fo r exa mple ; the a pproach is th e
heavy with food ', ' bears its fr-uit ", corr. C r. Ps 39.
e . T he ea rthly part of man return s to ea rth. But g. Commendatory epilo gue: eulogy o f Oohe leth , same as that of the So ng a nd , a t time s, the very phrases. It is a nobl e theme and
since no thi ng o n this earth can sa tisfy him. no t all o f vv , 9-11 . hardships of writ ing boo ks, v. 12. advice for
him orte rna res from ea rth. and tha t which is of God . a Quiet mind. vv. 13- 14. th e prophets rig htly saw in it an apt image of God's love for Isr ael. The topic
returns to Go d. h. Mea ning dou btful . text ca rr.
f. The book ends as it began but has covered much i. D efec tive phrase ; we insert 'd uty' .
is not unworthy of a book that was to be received into the sacred canon and
gro und in between . It has taught man his wretched ness rec ognised as inspired.
 IN T ROD U C T IO N TO T H E SON G 0 F SON G S 992
If we accept the a llego rical inte rpretation, it is permis sible to look for a
planned arrangement in the Song mat ch ing the develo pment of God's re lations
with Israe l, a nd to establish the d a te of the book by its his torical allusions.
This method points to the second half of the 5th century B.C ., not earlier.
If however the book is a co llect ion of songs, possibly of varying pe riods, th e
historical argument is inapplicable ; nevertheless, the vocabulary a nd style
themselves ind icate a post-exilic origin .
Whatever theory of interpretation we adopt we a re justified in applying th e
Song to the mutual love of Christ and his Ch urch or to the union of the
individ ual soul with God. Mystics like St J oh n of th e Cross were wise to use
THE SONG OF SONGS
the Song as they did .
TITLE AND PROLOGUE

1 T hc Song of Songs, which is Solomon's.

THE BR I DE Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth .
Yo ur love is mo re delightfu l than wine; 4:10

delicate is thc fragrance of yo ur perfume," 1: 12

your name is an oil pour ed out, III

b: ~ +
and that is why the maid ens" love you. ~
Draw me in your footsteps, let us run,
The King " has brought me into his rooms;"
you will be our joy and our gladness." III
We shall praise your love a bove wine; 4:10 ;:
how right it is to love you .

ow
F I R ST POEM

T H E BR IDE I am black! but lovely, da ughters of Jerusaleru,«

like the tents of Keda r,
like the pav ilions of Salmah.«
Ta ke no noti ce of my swa rthiness,
it is the sun that has burnt me.
My moth er's sons turn ed their anger on me.'
they made me look after the vineyard s'!
Is 5: 1---1-
H ad I on ly looked after my own!"
G n 37; 16
Tel/ me then, you whom my heart loves:
Where will yo u lead yo ur f lock to graze,
where will you rest it at noon'?' Ps 23: 1·3
Ez k 34: I
In 1O:1~21

1 a. T h roughout the Song t h is image is symbolic of f . Sy m b o lic of a se r io us ordea l, cr. v. 6 ; Jb 30:30;

(h e charms tha i ent ra nce and intoxica te the hea r t.
b . Th e m ai dens may represen t the na tion s.
cf. Is 23: 12 : 37; 22 ; 47:1 : Jr 14: 17, CIC. A lt ho ugh Isr ael
is th e priv ile ged bri de. th is does not excl ude o t her
nat io ns fro m fall ing u nder t he spell of the Bridegroom.
cr. 1,45:14 + ,
c. Y ah weh is k in g of Isr ae l, I S 12: 12 ; Is 6:1,5:
Jr 23:2: Ez k 34:11- 16 . H e is freq uen tly given th is ti t le
in pos t-exilic literat ure, cf. D t 33:5; Is 24: 23 ; 33:2 2 ;
4 1:2 1: 43 :15 : 44 :6 : Jr 5 1:57: O b 21: Zc 14:9 : MI 1: 14.
as also in the esc ha to lo gical co ntexts in Ps 24:7; 47:8;
4X:2 ; 6X:24 , etc . The So ng may be in th e same traditio n .
d. Poss ib ly. and in 3:4 : 8:2. t he Temp le in Je ru salem .
fo cu s o f Isr aeli te d evot io n in post -e xilic ti mes . Ezk 43:
r-v rcr, \". 1'\): 1540:3 .9.10: 52:8 .1 2 : Zc 1:1 6- 17 : 2:1O-IJ :
j{:J: 1's U 1
e . Abounding ioy cha rac teri ses a ll th e prop hectes
o f sa lvat io n . e.g . Is 9:2 ; 66:10 : J I 2;2 1.2 3 ; z» 10:i;
1.01 4:8.
g. T he 'd augh ters o f Jeru sale m ' . dt sttnauishcd fr om
Z io n by a litera ry fic tio n. d . 3: I I : Ito 2:4 : 9: 13.
corres pond to the cho rus in Greek rruecd v. ap pea led
to by the spea ke r to ex pr ess his t houx h ts for him .
h . 'Sulmah ' co r r.: ' Sol om o n ' Hcbr.
i. The Cha tducans destroyed Jerusale m . T hey
were ' b ro t hers ' o f Is ra el , cr. ( 'In I I :21'1 ,3 1: 15:7 : 22:20-23.
Sec a lso [) ( 26:5 .
j . T he fo rced lab o ur of th e exile .
k . T h e vi ney ard of th e Bride is Pa les tine.
cf. Is 5: 1 . ; J r 12: 10f: Ps SO. lost to he r Ior a whi le.
Ho 2:5. 14, 17.
I. Y ahweh . s he pherd o f hi!t peop le. El k 34: I -r· .
will lead th em ho me In uu ex ttc. cr. E/.\.\ H : I J ~1 5 . N oo n
s ym b ot lscs t he hci uht of h a pp in e ss ...:f. Is 5~ : 10: Ps n: t> ;
·:ll ha ppiness. d . S~ ~ :17 :
Jb 11:1 7. h ere cs . . h a h lh lt::i ...
I s 5:30: X:20 1): I : A IIl 5: I ~,: O .
4

Ps 14:7; 16:9 ; 2 1:1.

"l
I I 1:8 T H E SONG OF SONG S 994 995 THE S O N G OF S O N GS 2'. 17

T hat 1 may no more wander like a vagabond m lea ping o n the moun tain s,
beside t he flocks" of you r compan ions. bounding over the hills. g
T HE C H ORUS If you do no t kno w this, 0 loveliest of women , My Beloved is like a gazelle,
Jr 3 1:2 1 follow the tracks of th e flock, like a young stag.
a nd take yo ur kids to gra ze See where he stands
close by the shepherds ' tents . a beh ind our wall.
T HE BR IIJEGROO M To my ma re ha rnessed to Pharaoh's chari ot He looks in at the window,
I co mpa re you, my love." he peers th rough the lattice.
Yo ur cheeks show fa ir bet ween the ir pendants 10 10 My Beloved lifts up his voice,
a nd you r neck within its necklaces. he says to me,
We shall make you golden earri ngs 11 'Come then, my love,
a nd beads of silver. my lovely one, come .
6:1 I :7: 13-14
DI A LOG U E OF - While the King rest s in his own room 12 II For see, winter is past, h
1:3 j
T HE B RID E AN D my na rd yields its perfume. t he ra ins are over and go ne.
B RIDEGR OOM 'I My Beloved is a sachet of myr rh 13 12 The flo wers ap pear on the earth.
lying between my breasts. The season of glad so ngs has come ,
My Beloved is a clu ster of henn a flowers 14 the coo ing of the tur tledove is hear d
amo ng th e vines of Engedi . in our land.
13 The fig tree is fo rmin g its first figs
-How bea ut iful you are, my love, 15
an d the blosso ming vines give o ut their fragrance:
how bea ut iful you are !
Co me then, my love,
Yo ur eyes ar e doves.
my lovely one, come.
- How beau tiful you are , my Beloved, 16 14 My dove , hiding in th e clefts of th e rock, III

and how delight ful ! in the coverts of the cliff,

;:
All green is our bed. r show me your face,
3:9 let me hea r your voice;
- T he bea ms of our hou se are of ceda r, 17
ow
for yo u r voice is sweet
the pa nelling of cyp ress, s
and you r face is bea utiful.'
- I am the rose of Sharon ,

I 2 the lily of the valleys. a

- As a lily amo ng th e thistles,
15 Catch the foxes for us,
the little foxes
so is my love among t he maidens. b that ma ke havoc of the vineyards,
R:5 - As a n appl e tree among th e trees of the o rcha rd, for o ur vineya rds are in flower. i
I so is my Beloved amo ng the yo ung men. 16 My Beloved is mine a nd I am his'! = 6:3 ; 7: 13

In his lo nged-for shade 1 am seated H e pastures his flock amon g the lilies. 2:1 +
a nd his frui t is sweet to my tas te.
17 Before the da wn-wind rises,
He has tak en me to his banquet hall, C
befo re the shadows flee, k
a nd th e banner he raises over me" is love.
Feed me with rais in ca kes, m. 'a va ga bo nd ' Syr.: Yu lg , 'a wom a n veiled ' Hebr. c . A pl ay 0 11 wo rds (avya to t h, gaze lles; sebaoth,
restore me with a pples, n. T he for e ign na t io ns. J r 6:3. who se king s a rc h ind s) evo ki ng t he name o f th e Lo rd o f ho sts (E lo hei
'compan io ns' of Ya hwe h. Ps 45:7 . S t ray ing Is rael seeks Sebao t h).
for I am sick with love. her Hrtd egroo m , Jr 31:22 . f. S leep sy m bo lises the o rdea l o f ex ile. cf. Is 5 1:17.
c. M e Zi o n. ro ya l res idence o f Isr ael. 2 1-22 : 52 : 1-2 : res to ra tio n depe nds on t he willi ng co n-
~ R: 3 His left ar m is und er my head, u . Ex ile in Babylo n is tr adi tlonal lv co mpa red wh it vers io n of th e Brid e. d . Ho 2: IN; J r 3 1: 19.
his right embrace s me. s lavery in Egyp t, Is 11: 11.1 6 ; 43: 16f ; 48 :2 1; 5 1:9- 10;
52:4 ; Jr 23:7-8. 1:. T he mo u n ta ins o f J uda h . Cf. Is 40: 3-5.9- 11;
~ 3:5 : 5: - 1 charge you , Q. P oss ibly referr in g to t he joyfu l re turn fro m ex ile . 52;7 ; 62: 10- 12.
2-5 : r . T he m irac u lo us fer tili ty o f P a lestine a fter t he h . Sp ri ng is a sy m bo l of sa lva t io n. H o 14 :6-8. cf.
~ 5 :R :
~ R:4.5
da ughte rs of Je rusa lem, re stor at io n o f t he ex iles . cf'. H o 2:23f ; 14:6f ; Is 29: 17 : 2:5. 14. a nd t his des cri pt io n p re ludes t he inv itation to
by the gazelles, by the hind s of the field, e 30 :23f : Jr 3 1: 12. 14 ; Ezk 34:26f : 36:29f: 47:1- 12. re tur n.
s . Ced a r and c yp ress fro m Le bano n . p recio us i , C r yp t ic verse . to be under stoo d in th e Hutu of
not to stir my love, nor rouse it, materia ls o f the Tem p le a nd the pa la ce of So lo m o n . Ho 2: 14 .20 and Jr 12 :7f. T he litt le foxe s arc mal evo lent
until it please to awa ke'! 2 a . T he ' ro se' (act ually t he crocus) a nd ' lily' (the red neig h bo ur s. Samar itan s. A m mo n ites . A r a b s. Philis tines ,
P a les tin ia n a nemo ne. cf. M t 6:2 8) a re s ymbo lic of hos tile to the restor at ion o f J udah . d . EZf 4:2 : 9: 2 ;
sp r ing, a nd of the esc hat o log ical age . cf. Is 35: 1: Ho 14:6. 10: 181'; N e 2: 19 ; 3:34f; 4 :1. et c . : Ps 60:8-9. C r. Is 27:2-4 ;
b. Israe l ha s the u niqu e d istinc tio n o f being G od's Ps 80:6 .12- 13.
chos e n na t io n . D t 7:6+. J. Ada p ta tio n o f th e p ro p hetic fo r m u la ' Israel is
SECOND POEM c. O nc e bro ugh t back to Pa lest ine . the b a nq uet th e nati o n o f Y a hweh and Ya h we h is t he G o d o f Israe l' .
h all (lit. ' ho use of wine ') of God . cf. Is 62 :8 ; Jr 31:12. exprcss ln a the fina l res tora tio n of the co ve na nt a fter
Isr ael wil l be int oxicated wit h th e wi ne of d ivine love . a tr ue c ha nge of heart. C r. H o 2:25 : Jr 3 1:33 : Ez k 36:28.
TH E BRID E I hea r my Beloved. Cr. 1:2.4. 14. k. T h is image. like t he ' m o rn ing' an d 'awa ken ing'
See how he comes d . T he ra lly ing signa l fo r t he ca p tives . d . Is 11: 12; o f P s 17: 15 + . s ta nd s fo r the esc ha to lo gica l ho ur o f
49:22 : 62 : 10. deliveran ce : the verse is re la ted to 1:7 : 2:7 : 3:5: 8:4 .
 3: 1 THE S O N G OF SONGS 996 1)1)7 T H E SO NG OF SONGS 4:8
8: 14 ret u r n !' Be, my Be loved,
like a ga zelle,
I 4 TilE BRID EG ROml How beau tiful yo u a re, my love,
how bea ut iful yo u a re!
a yo u ng stag, Yo u r eyes, beh ind yo ur vc il,« 4 :3 ; 6:7
o n the mou ntains of the cov ena nt .» a rc doves:
yo ur hai r is like a flock o f goa ts ~ 6:5-7
On my bed, at night, " I sought hi m

5:6
3 whom my heart lo ves.
I sought but did not find him. "
frisking " dow n th e slo pes o f G ilea d.
Your tee th a rc like a flock of sho rn ewes
In 20:13
So I will rise and go through the Ci ty ;« as they co me up fr om the washing .
in th e streets a nd t he squares Each onc ha s its tw in,
Pr 7: 15
I will seek him whom my hea rt loves. not o nc unp a ired with a no ther,
. . . I sought but did not find h im ." Yo ur lips ar c a sca rle t th read
5:7
a nd yo ur wo rds enc ha nting.
T he watchmen ' ca me u po n me Yo ur cheek s, be hind yo ur veil, 4:1
on t he ir ro u nds in the City: are hal ves of pomegra nat e .
'Have you see n him whom my heart loves?' Yo ur neck is the tow er o f Dav id 6: 10
Ps 122:7
Sca rce ly had I pa ssed them b uilt a s a fortre ss,
In 20: 17 hung rou nd with a tho usa nd bu cklers , Ez k 27: 10· 11
tha n I fo und hi m whom my hea rt loves.
I he ld him fast, nor would I let him go an d eac h th e shield o f a her o.
~ 7:4
till I had brought him Y o ur two breasts a re tw o fawn s,
R:2 ,5
into my mot her's ho u se," tw ins of a ga ze lle,
into the room of her who conceived me . that feed a mo ng the lilies.
~ 2: 7 : = 5 : 8 ;
- 8:4 THE BRIDEGROOM I charge you, Befo re the dawn -win d rises ,
da ug hters o f Jerusalem, before the shadows flee, III
by the gaze lles, by the hinds of th e field, I w ill go to the mo un tai n of myrrh, ~
not to stir my lov e, nor rouse it, to the hill of fra nk ince nse. '
until it please to awake.
You a re who lly beau tiful , my love,
cw
a nd witho ut a blem ish.'
TH IRD POE M Come ' fro m Leba no n, my prom ised bride. "
co me fro m Lebano n, com e on yo ur way.
6:10: 8:5 Wh at is this comi ng up from the de sert Lowe r yo ur gaz e, fro m the height s of Amana,
like a co lumn of smoke," from the cres ts o f Se nir a nd Hermo n,
breat hing of myrrh and frank incense
a nd eve ry pe rfume the me rc han t knows? I. T he br id e ha d th ou gh t her beloved was co m i ng of th e Per si an ki ngs . in wh ic h case ' So lo mo n ' \...o uld be
10 he r. Y\,. 8· 16. bu t he is no lon ger t he re , cr. 3: 1. assoc ia ted with the Grea r Ki ng .
See, it is the litt er of Solo mon ." lsrnc l as ks Ya hwe h to re tur n 10 her. [, 'e bo n y' corr . : ' love' Hcbr. . whic h ad ds ' fro m t he
m . Li t. ' t he m o un ta ins of t he vic ti ms c u t in half ' . da ugh ters o f J e r usal em ' .
Aro und it are sixty cha m pio ns, l'h e ex p ress io n a llu des 10 Gn 15: I0 a nd re ca lls th e scene k , En thro ne me n t wi th me ssia nic ove rtones . T he
the flower of the warri o rs o f Israel; whe n Ya hwe h gave Ab ra ha m his p rom ise tha i t he ki na's mo t her is the nat io n. whosc ac cla ma tio n is th e
ca ru ives wou ld retu rn . G n 15: 16 . necessa r y p re lude to his assu mpt ion o f powe r , cr. 1 S
all o f the m ski lled swordsmen, J a . N ig h t sy mbolises long a nd pain ful wa iting 11: 15 : I C h 11: 10 : 29:22, etc . T he co m ing o f th e
vetera ns o f ba ttl e. 10: 1'. 15 5:30 : 8:22 ;9: 1;2 1: 11; 26:9 : 59 :9; Ps 130 :6. crc., mess ia nic usc is also t he day o r th e m yst ical m a rr iage
b. T o 'seck ' o r ' find ' or ' n o t fin d ' Ya hw eh arc ex- betwe e n Ki ng Ya hwe h a nd h is people .
Each ma n has his sword at his side, n rcs s fons occ urri ng o ften in th e p ro p het s , d . Am 5:4 -1- .
against alarms by night. ltcfo re le tt ing h imsel f be fou nd , Ya hwe h insis ts o n a
H u e c ha nge of heart . H o 3:5 : 5:6 , 15 ; J r 29: 13, 4 a. T he b ri de wa s veiled whe n p resen ted to her
Ki ng So lomon e. J e rusal e m . Cf. t he a ll usio ns to th e T em ple, hu sband . c f. Gn 24:65 ; 29 :23·25.
1:4 , 17 : 3:4; 5: 10- 16, a nd t he referen ces to th e 'da uu htcrs h. T he Heb r. ver b s ugxests vio lent m o vem ent : th e
has made h imse lf a throne - of Je r usale m ' . co m pa r iso n evokes t he b lack wavi ng hai r of t he bride .
1: 17 of wood from Leba no n. d . Exp ress ing th e di scou ra ge m ent of th o se ba c k c . vv, 6 an d 7 sho u ld pro bab ly be in te rch anged .
fr o m ex ile, d . Is 59:9- 11; 6 3: 15- 64 : II . T he mountuiu of m yrrh a nd hi ll o f fran kin ce nse re p re -
The posts he ha s mad e of silve r, 10 e. Possibly th e fo rei gn powe r in co nt ro l o f the se n t t he s tte o f th e Te m p le , ' M yrr h' ( Heb r. m ar) is
t he canopy of go ld , ca pita l. a p pa ren tly in te nd ed to suxgcst M oriah . cr. 2 C h 3: I :
f. T he Temple bu ilt by t he fo rm er Israe l, m o the r ince nse was used o n ly in sac rifice.
the seat of purple ; o f the p rese nt Is rae l. T he ' roo m' is t he Ho ly o f H o lies . d . Isr ael has been p u ri fied by ex ile . cf'. Is 40 :2. The
the back is inl a id with ebony .' a. S ign , cr. Ex 13:22 + . of th e p rese nce of Yah weh C a tho lic li turgy a p p lies th is ve rse to th e Im m ac u la te
who leads the exiles home in a second Exo d us , Conce pt io n.
Daughters of Zion, II d . Is 40:) -l-, c . 'Co me ' ve rsio ns ; 'Wit h m e' Hebr . In con trast
h. ' So lo mo n ' (w hose nam e a nd h ist or y a re evoca tive to 2: 8(, it is no w t he b ri de gro om who is in Jerusal em
come and see o f peac e ) is her e t he mess ia nic ki ng who br ings t he (v . 6) ca lling to th e brid e.
Ki ng So lomon, esc ha to lo gica l peace so lu ng des ired by t he exiles , I. T he ' p ro m ised bride', o r 'bet ro thed '. not ye t
cr. Is 11:6+ , a ho pe associa te d w it h th e co mi ng of t he tak e n to wife . is in reali ty wife a lready: Israe l the
wearing th e diadem with whic h h is mother crowned him Messia h , d . Is 9:5-6 : Ez k 34:23-25: Zc 9:9-10 ; Ps 72:7-8 . un faithfu ! a nd re jec ted wife. Ho 2:4; Jr 3: 1,8 : Is 54: I,
on his wedding day, v i. T he He br. word, no t used e lsewhe re in th e Bib le, 6-7 ; b u t whe n Yahwe h takes he r back s he becomes (he
see ms to suggest t he thro ne ro om of So lo mo n, I K 7:7, ' be tro thed ' o nc e m or e, Ho2:21-22 ; Is49:18 ; 61 : 10;
o n the day of his heart's joy. cf. 1O:l g-20: or (by emendat ion) th e a ud ien ce c ha m be r 62:5.
II 4:9 THE SONG OF SONGS 998 999 THE SONG OF SONGS s: 12
th e ha u n t of lion s, - ' 1 ha ve ta ken off my tu nic,
t he m ou n ta ins o f leopa rd s. g am I to put it o n ag a in?
I ha ve washed my feet,
You rav ish my heart,
am I to d irty them ag a in?' :
my sister," my p ro m ised bride,
M y Belo ved t h rust h is ha n d
you ravi sh my heart
through the ho le in the do or ;!
wit h a single onc of your g lances,
I trembled to t he co re of my bein g.
w ith on e sing le pearl of your necklace.
1:2,4 T hc n I ro se
What spells lie in your love, 10
to open to my Belo ved,
my sister , m y promised b ride!
myrrh ran 011' m y ha nd s,
How delicious is your lov e, more deli c iou s th an w inc !
pu re myr rh 011' my finge rs,
How fragrant yo ur perfu mes ,
o n to t he hand le of th c bolt.
more fragra nt t ha n a ll o th er spic es!
Pr 5 : .~
VO"I" lips, my prom ise d o ne, II
I opened to my Belo ved,
distil wild honey, but he ha d turncd his back a nd go ne !
H on ey a nd m ilk ' M y so u l fa iled at his flight. «
a rc u nder yo u r to ng ue; I sought hi m but [ d id no t find h im," 3:1 ;

a nd th c sce nt of yo ur garmen ts I call ed to him but he d id not an swer.

110 14;7
is likc th e sce n t o f Lebanon . T he w atchmen ca mc up on m e
3:3 ~

6:2 She is a garden enc losed; ' 12 a s they made the ir rounds in th e C ity.
my siste r, my promised bride: T he y bea t me , they wounded me,
a garden t: enc losed , th ey to o k away my c lo ak,
Pr 5:10
a sca led fountain. t hey w ho g ua rd t he ra m pa rts.
<J)
You r s hoots fo rm an orc hard of pomegranat e trees, 13
I c ha rge you ,
2:7 : 3:5
~
t he ra rest esse nces arc yours:'
daug hters of Je ru sa lem,
na rd an d sa ffr on , 14
if yo u s ho u ld lind my Belo ved,
ca lamu s a nd ci n namon ,
wit h all th c incen se- bearing t rees : w hat mu st yo u tcll h im .. . '? o
w
T hat I am sick w it h lo ve.
m yr rh a nd aloes.
wit h th c subtlest odours. TH E C IIO RU S W hat mak es yo u r Hclovcd better th an o t her lo ve rs,
Pr 5: IS-1()
Fo u nta in t hat makes t hc gardens fertil e, 15
o lo veli est of women')
we ll o f living water, W hat ma kes you r Belove d better th a n ot her lo vers,
strea ms flo win g d o wn fr om Le ba non. to give us a c ha rge like thi s?
1'111' BRIDE Awa ke, nort h w ind , 16

co me, w ind of th e so u t h ! 10 THE B R IDE My Belo ved is fr esh and rudd y,

Brea t he ove r my ga rden, t o be kn own a m o ng tc n th o usan d. '
to sp read its sw eet s mell a ro u nd. 11 His hea d is go lde n, purest gold ,"
Le t m y Beloved come in to hi s ga rde n, hi s lock s a rc palm fro nd s"
let h im taste its ra res t fru its. and bl ack as t he ra ve n.

5 1'111' B RIIJ EGIWO M I co me into my ga rde n,

my sister, m y pr omi sed bride,
12 H is eyes a re d o ves
at a po ol of water, '

I ga ther my myrr h a nd balsam,

1 eat my ho ney and my honeyco m b, /.t. F rom the :--J . ca rne Israe l's t rudiuona l en em ies
('lion s' an d ' Jco na r d s') and co n q ue r o rs. Jr -\.;7 ; 5:h :
I drink m y w ine and my m ilk. 50:17; 5 1:3X: Na 2: 12- 1..1-: lla b I :X. Th e b r ide is un~ cJ
Is 55: 1,2
Ea t, fr iends, and drink, to ma ke her way t hrough the Pass o f Hu ruat h in
th e Le banon. th c reuu lar ro u te fo r in vaders whose
d rin k d ee p, my dearest friends. a arr ounn cc is o f t en symbo l isc d by {he ced ars (I f 1.C!l;\IH IIi .
Is I(U 3- .' 4 : E/.k. J I: zc u .r-z: Ps 2lJ:5 . Froml hi s
same m ount ai n road t hc rc tu ru inu exiles gal!.~ dow n on
t hc land of thei r ancestors .
F O U RT H POEM h . E xpr ession borrowed from Egypt ian love poct rv.
i . Tvnifvinu the Pro mised Land , Ex 3:.':. et c .
2:7 I : 8:5 THE BRID E" I slee p, but my heart is a wak e . r i. T rad it ional m e tap h or for the ne w Israel,
n o 14:6· 7 : EJ.!i. .'b:35 : Is 51:3 : 6 1: 11.
1 hea r my Be lo ved kn ock ing. k . ' garden' ancient versions : "s p r-i ng" ( '!) Hebr.
I. H eb r. adds ' with cy p ress a nd na rd ' .
'O pen to m e, my siste r, m y lo ve,
5 a , The Israelit es. invi ted to enjoy t he ha ppi ness of
m y dove, my perfec t one, the new er a .
b. Th e fo llow ing passage bal an ces 3: 1-4 .
fo r my head is covered wit h de w,"
c. A mo ng the returned exiles only the best are
my lock s w ith th e drops o f n igh t. ' spirituall y alert ; see. for e xa mp le , Is 56· 59; 63·66 .
d. De w is svm bo fic of d ivine blessings. Ps l.B :3.
especialh' t hose of the csch.uo touicu l a ge , tin 14:0.
c . Emru v ex cu ses wll kh th c ardour of t he br id e
will re fut e .
f. l .u . 'th e hole ' int o which a l ar ue wooden kev
w as ins erted from I he lllll side ro slide bac k. the bo ll.
e, 'h is fli ght ' l.'\I IT ,
h. The nronhcu c Ior mu!a . J: I ..' . here used in asso -
ciatio n with an other u-auhionul fo r mul a expressing
the wit lHlraw al of Ya hweh fro m unfa ithful Israel .
c f'. Is 50 :2: 6 5: 12: 66:4 : Jr 7:27 : Pr I :2X.
I. Th e unu sto ns are to th e de sc rip tion of the
Te mple u f Solomon in I K 6-7. d. 2 e n 3 .
[, Pure uold overlaid the pane lling of the Ho ly
of Ho nes. 1 K 6:20-21; 2 e h 3:8 .
k . T he d ccoru tt on menti oned in I K 6:1 8.29 .32.35 .
I. In 2 S 22: 16 the expression ('sp ri ngs of wa ter ')
means ' the sea bed' : here it refers to the 'bronze Sea' ,
I K 7:23-26: 2 C h 4:2-5.

I~ I
.....,...

11
5:13 TH E SONG OF SONGS 1 000 fOO l TH E S ON G OF SO N GS 7=8
bat hed in milk , fa ir as the moo n,
a t rest on a poo l. '" resp lend ent as the sun ,
His cheeks" a re beds of spices. te rr ible as an a rmy wit h ba nners?' 4:4
13
P s 133:2 ban ks sweetly scented . II 4: 12 i-
H is lips ar e lilies, /(J I we nt down to the nu t orc ha rd
d ist illing pure myr rh. to see wha t was spro ut ing in the va lley,
to see if th e vines wer e buddin g 2: 11 +
H is hands a re gold en , rou nded, 14
7: 13- 14
set with je wels of Ta rshish. a nd th e pom egr an at e t rees in flower.
12
H is belly a block of ivory 1/ Befo re I kn ew . . . my desire had hur led me
covere d wit h sa pph ires. on the cha riots of my peopl e, as th eir princeJ
H is legs a re alabaster col umns
set in sock ets of pure go ld.
IS ,1 7 THE C HORUS Ret urn, return, 0 maid of Shulam ,"
retu rn, ret urn , t hat we may gaze o n yo u! I,
H is ap peara nce is that of Leba no n,
unr ivalled as the ceda rs. 0 THE BRIDEGROOM W hy do yo u gaze o n the ma id o f Shulam
H is co nve rsa tio n is sweetness itself, 16 dancin g as tho ugh between two ro ws o f danc ers?"
he is a ltog ether lovabl e.
How beaut iful a re yo ur feet in their sa nda ls,
Such is my Beloved, such is my friend ,
o prince's da ught er!
o daughters o f Jerusalem. T he cu rve of your th ighs is like th e curve of a neck lace,
6 THE CHORUS W here did your Beloved go,
o loveliest of wo men?
I
/7
wo rk of a master han d.
Yo ur nave l" is a bow l well ro unded
W hich way di d your Beloved turn with no lack o f wine,
so t hat we ca n hel p yo u to loo k for him? yo ur belly a hea p of whea t
sur ro unded with lilies.
4 : 12-16 T HE BRID E My Beloved went d own to his ga rden," Yo u r two breasts a re two fa wns, ~4:5 '"~
to the bed s of sp ices, tw ins o f a gazelle.'
to pa st u re his flock in the ga rde ns You r neck is a n ivo ry tower.
a nd ga ther lilies. You r eyes, the poo ls o f Hes hbon , ow
~ 7.: 1 6
I a m my Beloved's , a nd my Beloved is min e. by the ga te o f Bat h-ra bbirn.
He past ures his flock a mo ng th e lilies. " Yo u r nose, t he To wer o f Le ba non ,!
sent inel faci ng Da mas cus.
6 Yo ur head is held high like Ca rmel,
5
F I FT H P O E M a nd its pla its a re as da rk as purp le ;
a kin g is held ca pt ive in yo ur tresses."
THE BRIDEGROOM Yo u are bea ut iful as T irza h, my love, H ow beautiful yo u a re, ho w char ming,
fair as Jeru salem.' my love, my del ight !"
T u rn yo ur eyes a way, In sta tu re like the pal m tree, i
for they hold me ca ptive."
~ 4 : 1 -3
Yo u r hai r is like a flock o f goats m . He b r. o bscur e . A n o ther refer e nce to t he 'b ro nze o f h is peo ple .
friski ng down the slopes of Gilead . Sea' ? 7 a. ' ma id o f S hu la m ' t.e.. 's he who has peace ':
6 n . Low er part o f th e cheeks whe re (h e be a rd gro ws, in the new So lo mon. 3:7 r- , s he has fo un d o r reco vered
Yo ur teeth a re like a flock of shee p 5 hen ce the followi ng co m pa r iso n . C f. I K 6:29. her pea ce ,
as they co me up from the was hing. n . Ced a r wo od was liber all y used in the co ns tr ue- h, T he wo re ' retu r n' re pea ted fo u r times evo kes
u o n o f t he T em p le. cr . I K 6:9. erc. : ' t he w hole of it t hc re tu r n fr u m exile , cr. 1:7- 11: 2:7, 13: 3:6 : 4 :8 : 8;5 ,
Eac h o ne ha s its twin , wa s o f ced a r' . 1 K 6: IH. In H o a nd J r it is th e k ey word of t he n r o p hct ic them e
not one unpaired with a nother. 6 a . T he ga rd en is Pal estin e. here id ent if ied ' v u h th e o f th e re tu rn : t he exiles will ' re tu r n' ho me , J r 3: 12 :
4: 1
Your cheeks, beh ind your veil, Bride. 4:12 . 12:15. e tc .. cr. Is 35: 10 ; 49 :5-6 : 5 1: 11: b ut their hea rt s
b. Rcpc t tuo n o f 2: 16 with an in version in t he first m us t ' retu rn ' to God , 110 3:5: 5: 15: J r 3: 14, etc . T he
a re hal ves o f pomegranate. li nc 10 em p has ise th at th e br ld es re tu rn to Yah weh is p la y o n t hese two se nses i n Jr ,q : I H (d. 15:19) is
w hole hear ted . tr adi t io na l.
c . Th e text adds ' te r r ib le as ar m ies' , T ir zah c, Li t. ' as a dance o f tw o ca m ns". O bsc ure . Th e
T here a re sixty q ueens Cs he is plea sin g.' or 'f a vo u re d ' ) was th e first ca pita l o f fo llo win g dcscrtuuon of th c Brid e b ala nces th at o f the
a nd eighty co ncubines ' th e No rt he r n Ki ngd om : the seco nd ca pita l, Sam a ria , Bridcgr u oru in 5: 10- 16, t hou gh her e t here a re refer ences
is de liberu relv sup p ressed . B ~' n am in g: t he N. and S .
(a nd countless maidens) . ca p ita ls the a u t hor hin ts t h at t he b rid e is t he person ifi-
to cert a in geogra p hica l feat u res o f Pale st ine .
9 d . Jerusale m . in t he ce nt re of t hc n :lIi ~)J1 S , Elk 5:5 ,
But my d ove is uniqu e, 8
ca t ion o f th e new..' ' G rea ter ls rae t-c-a t rad it io na l asp ir-
cr. 3S: 12 : it is e nc irc led by valleys .
ati on , Jr 3: 18 -1- .
mine, uniq ue an d perfect. d . Lit , ' the}' ta ke me by s to rm".
c , Eba l a nd G er tz tm , '{win ' m o u n ta ins .
Pr 4:3
She is the darling of her mother, c. W ives o f full stat us a nd co nc u b ine s laves as in I. Po ssib ly G reat Herm on . ov e rloo k in g: D a mascus.
So lo m on 's hare m . Here th e wo me n represent the oasau 1:. Vei led re feren ce to t he k ing o f Tv re . a lly o f
t he favo u rite of the o ne who bore her . na tion s : Sg 1:3 + , associ a tes t he m with Israe l. Dav id a nti So lo O\o n , 2 S 5: 11; 1 K 5: 15f :9: IOf : 10:1 1f.
Pr 3 1:28
T he ma ide ns saw her , and proclaim ed her blessed , uni qu el y chosen by G od, Dt 7:6 + . h . Li t. ' d a ug h ter o f deli ah ts". Svr . a nd Aq uila:
' in de light s' lI e b r.
q uee ns a nd concub ines sang her praises: r. T his difficul t verse see ms to m ea n th at by a i. T a m a r, 'pa lm t ree' , is t he nam e or se ver a l wo me n
3:6 10
Rv 12: 1 ' W ho is this a rising like th e da wn , 9 sp o nt a neo us impu lse Ya hweh pla ces hi mse lf a t the head in t he Bible . G n 38:6: 2 S 13: I : 14 :27.
 T9 THE SONG OF SONGS / 002 /00 3 T H E S O N G OF SON GS 8:14
its fru it-cl ust ers yo ur b rea st s.
'I w ill climb th e palm tr ee ,' I resolved, 9
s APPENDICES
' 1 will seiz e its cluste rs of da tes ."
Ma y yo u r b reasts be clus ters o f grapes, Aphorism of a sa ge
yo u r breath sweet-scen ted as appl es,
[0
Were a ma n t o offe r a ll t he wealt h o f h is h ou se to b uy love , co ntempt is a ll
you r speak ing. superla t ive w ine. 'I
he wo u ld purchase.
Till'. IlR[[H Wine flo wing' st ra ight to m y Beloved,
as it r uns on t he lips o f t ho se who s leep." Two epigrams"
7: I .;
Gn 3: 1{1 I am m y Bclovcds, [ [
ill Our s iste r is litt le: her br ea sts are not yet for me d .' W ha t sha ll we do fo r our
and h is desire is [o r me .' " s iste r o n the day s he is spoke n fo r'?'" ·1 1' she is a ra m pa rt . o n t he c rest we will
2: Itl - I ·l
Com e, my Beloved ,
let us go to the fields.>
"
/I bui ld a ba tt leme nt of s ilver; if she is a d o o r, we w ill board her u p - wit h p lan ks
of ced ar.
We w ill s pen d the nigh t in the villages, - I a m a wa ll, a nd m y breasts represen t its towe rs . And u nd e r h is eyes
2. 11 , I. 11 II
a Ill! in the mo rn ing we wit l gn to t he viney a rds." t: 10 I ha ve fo un d t ru e pea ce.
We will sec if t he vines a re bu dd ing, Solo mo n " had a vi neya rd at Baa l- hamo n. " He e nt rus ted it to ove rseers,v
if the ir blo ssom s a re o pen ing, II a nd each o ne was to pa y hi m t he va lue of its p ro d uce, a th o usa nd s he ke ls of
i f the pom egra nate trees are in lluw cr. s ilve r.• But I lo o k after m y ow n vine yard myself." Yo u, So lomo n, ' m a y h a ve
~: 16 ; "?I l
T he n I s ha ll give yo u 12 yo u r tho usa nd shekels, a nd th o se who oversee its pr o d uce' their two h u ndred .
t he gif t o f my love . :
Th e mandrakes y ie ld t he ir Ira grancc, » 14
ts Final additions
th e rare st frui ts a re a t o u r doo rs ; 13 You" w ho dwe ll in t he gard en s, m y co mpa n io ns" liste n fo r your vo ice; de ign
the new as we ll as t he o ld, '/ t o let me hea r it.
I have st o red them for yo u , my Belo ved . 2:17 II>
14 Has te a wa y, m y Belo ved .
§:
8 Ah , w hy a rc yo u not my brother,
n ursed at my mother's breast'«
Be like a ga zell e,
a yo u ng stag,
Then if I met yo u o ut o f doo rs, I cou ld k iss yo u
o n th e sp icy m ountains."
w ithou t peop le thi n ki ng ill o f me ." ow
JA
I s ho u ld lead yo u , I s ho u ld take yo u
inro m y mo the r' s house ," and yo u wo u ld teac h me !"
I s ho u ld give yo u s p iced wi ne to d rink, I,~, Na mely . th e ' Ht u u c ' o f Ezk 1 6 : 3 A 4 ~ 4 5 . desig-
I. Th e b ride be lo ngs on ly 10 Ya hwe h. d . 110 2:4 :
juice o f m y po megranates . E/.I\ 2 ~: J,2 1. nu tin u the Indi acnou s p eo ples o f Ca n aa n , with who m
- ~: 6 k . Po ssib lr th e slee ping Sh u tarn mucss, cf'. 2:7 : th c Isruclitc s in te r m ar r ied after t he COIl LllH: St. T hi s
Hi s left a rm is u nde r m y head 3:5: H:4,5. ca rl}' bl em is h was th e cause 0 1" s ubseq uent unf a ith-
a nd h is right emb rac es me. I. In G n 3: 16 th e woma n' s vear nin g is conrrns tcd fuln ess.
' ...-i th th e ma n's aut h ori t y ; he r e t he m ystic br-ide o f h . T IH: sea l, auc sunu th e wis hes o f its o wn er , h ere
.:2 :7; - J::i :
~ : :;
Tut R R [DHOJ(()()\1 I c ha rge yo u, Y ahwe h meet s with lo ve in st ea d . sYllIh lllises t ile wish es o f Ya hweh , i.c . th c Law .
Ill , lu vl t uu on (0 en j o y t he spr i n g t i me , as i n 2: 10 f ; I. Ya h we h is a 'Ieal u us' (; 0..1, E.'. : 34 : 14 : DI 4:24 . e tc .
dau gh te rs 0 1' Je rus a lem, bu t i l is t he br ide who s pe a ks IHH v. I. Sbco l. N h 1 6 : .H ~ , is a pers onitl ca uo n here an d
no t to st ir my lo ve , nor ro use it, n . 'N ig ht ' , ' mo rn ing' , o rd ea l Io tlowc d by t he m o re or less cquiv alc tu to Dea th . cr. PI' 27:10 : 30;16.
esc har olouica l D a wn . Sec 1:7: 2; 17: 3: 1: 5: 2.
unt il it plea se to awa ke . u . Con sumnun io n of t he ne w a nd co nclu sive co ve- k . Bitt er cri uc tsm . based o n t rud ir io naltv theo cra tic
n a n t between Y a h we h ami Is ra e l. nr tncinl cs. of the wo rldl y wisdom of a Je wis h ru ler .
n. T he man d ra ke was rhouuh t to s tim u late sexual p robabl y Jo hn I Ivrcanus ( 1 .~ 5 ~ 105) .
des ire a nd to promo te fert ility . cf . G n 30 : 14-16 . I. Jer usa le m, weak a nd pocu-l y fo rt ified .
Ill . AskeJ in m a r ria ge , The gi r l's b n u hc rs are the
C ON C L U S I O N q . The fruit s nld and new , l,v 26 :10, e vo k e.
cf. 110 2: 17- IX: J r 2:2 : Is 54 ;6· X. till.' t ime of ru-imi tf vc Sad d u cees T h e}' nlu u sto u t a nd ":lls t ly defe nce s. v. 9 .
.~ :-J ,6
fide lity in th e dese r t an d th at of re ne wed fidel ity in t he But th e ncrs onul ed Cu v n ro ud l v an swers tha t s he has
Tu s 110 need of t hes e : nod is he r nro tcc tor. w ha t s hou ld
CIIO RUS Who is th is com in g u p fro m the desert fu tu re .
lean ing o n he r Be love d '?" 8 a. Ya hwe h, th e b r-idea roorn o f th e S hulu mmin-ss is s he Icar" n . Lit. ' se t u p aga ins t her ' co rr. : ' e nclo se her ' lI eb r.
s tifl in acccssib tc ; s he p ra ys hi m t u co rne as a "b ro t her ".
2:7; .~: \:~: .:2 : u . The SOIOllH lIl not o f mct un h or h u t o f hi st or y .
T ur R R [ [)EG RO()~1 I awake ned yo u unde r the ap ple tree ," as Imm anu el , · (J o J -,,"'iIIH IS' . Is 7: 14 : X:H.
n. Lit. ' the n onul o us o ne' , veil ed al lu sio n 10
b. Th e aut hor has Pr 7: 13 in min d . bUI more Pal es tinc. cr. I K 4:20 ,
th er e w here yo u r mot her co nce ived yo u, spc citica tlv t he class ic forruulu ' W h en: is yo ur G od;" . (I. 0 1lh:ials rc snon sib !c for co flcc tiuu t he trib ute
t he re w he re she w ho gave b irth to yo u co nce ived yo u. " JI 2: 17: Mi 7: 10: Ps 4 2:3, 10 : 7 l);l) ~ 1 0: 115:2 . a nd tu xes . d . 1 K 4 ; 7~ 10 : 5: 7~S ,
Dt (1:6 .,1\ Co To t he Te m p le, 3:4 j- , wh en; th e messianic K in a. 1', I I is un de r my ow n care . wh ho ut as sis tu ncc From
11: IH Se t me like a sea l on yo u r heart , desce nde d from Dav id , will ha ve h is thro ne . Is II : Ill: a nyo ne e lse.
Pr 3: .~
Jr .~ I:.~ J like a seal " o n yo u r a rm . M i 4:H: Z l.: 6:9 -15 : 9:Y-10: Ps 2:6: 110:2 . s. H ere Solomon is probably John H vr ca nu s (a
Fo r love is stro ng a s Death , d . In th e cs charo tonicat age . God himsel f will "Sol om on ' i n h is pol iticn l nrubi uom : let h im Keep what
DI 4 · ~.,I tea c h h is nconlc . Is 4 :-:: 17 : 54; 13 ; 55 : l f : J r3 1:33· 34 . he ha s ex torted.
jea lo usy ' relent less a s S heo l. cr. P r 9; 1~ 6 . 1. T he Sa d d ucean official s .
T he na sh of it is a flash o f fire, c. It is ui c h r i\l ~ annroa ch in a. lca nin u on th e u , Sin gula r , here rc fcrrl nu tn \Visd \II11 , idcnt ilied
Belo ved w lw has s p,)I;e n hean 10 hea n with h er in the wil h t ill' b riJ e of th e S \ 1I1~ , d . W s S:2.
a Ila me of Ya hw e h himse lf. Ll ese r l. I ll ) .:2 :16-.:25 : sh e wiII no w e njo y her own la nJ \', ' m }' .:o nw a nio lls' l.:l)rr,: ' lhc compa nio ns' lI e br.
Is 43:2
Lo ve no Ilood ca n q ue nc h, a ~a in . Th c l,.·\lnl PilI1Y o f th e devou l. d. Ps t 19:62.
f . Hi l hen{) s he has dclkd awakcn i n ~ , 2:7: 3:5 : 5::: w, W isJo tll ~i ," e s he r an swe r (.;omDoscJ by a
no torren ts dro w n.
x:4 : no w a l last on the so il lIf the 1l{)ly La nd Ya hweh d itTe:rcn l au thor wh o ma kes use of t he wnrJ s n r th e
himsel f rou ses he r. Ur ide in 2: 17).