Welcome to the deep dive. Today we're venturing
into a really fascinating text, the song of Solomon.
It's this collection of ancient poetry, just
full of passion, exploring love and desire in
this really evocative way. Yeah, it's quite something.
What strikes me is how intimate it is, how personal.
Exactly. And it's basically a conversation, isn't
it? A direct dialogue between these two lovers.
We'll call them Del you for the woman and M to
the man, just to keep it clear. Sounds good.
So. Our mission, if you like, for this deep dyes
is to really unpack all that imagery, the raw
feelings, the declarations. And try to get at
why it still feels so powerful today. Right.
What gives it that enduring quality? Well that
intimacy you mentioned is key, I think. It's
not like, you know, some historical account about
love. No, it plunges you right in. Right into
their fervent exchanges. It feels remarkably
unfiltered. Very personal. Absolutely. And the
intensity, wow. It hits you from the very first
lines. The woman starts with, uh, let him kiss
me with the kisses of his mouth, for your love
is better than wine. Boom. Right there. Such
a bold start. It really is. A declaration of
longing. Straight away. and saying love is better
than wine. I mean, wine was huge, right? I definitely.
Symbol of celebration, joy, even spiritual connection
sometimes. So yeah, putting love above that,
that's elevating it to the absolute highest level.
It shows you immediately how much she values
this connection. And it immediately engages the
senses, doesn't it? Love, like wine, intoxicating,
satisfying. Yeah. And then she says, your name
is a flowing perfume. Such a beautiful image.
It suggests his very essence is alluring pervasive.
And she links that to others too. Therefore,
young women love you. Yeah. It's like his appeal
is just undeniable. It gives him this almost
magnetic quality, doesn't it? It does. And then
she wants action. Draw me after you. Let us run.
Yes. It's not passive. It's active desire. A
real urgency there. Like they need to be together
now. That call, let us run. It's pivotal. It's
about shared experience, not just quiet yearning.
And then the king has brought me to his bedchambers.
Now that could be literal. Or symbolic, yeah.
Being brought into this place of deep intimacy,
of joy. It all leads to this mutual celebration.
Let us exalt and rejoice in you. Let us celebrate
your love. It is beyond wine. Rightly do they
love you. A shared understanding. They both get
how profound this is. Okay, so that sets the
stage. But let's dig into how she sees herself.
Maybe how society sees her. This is interesting.
Ah, yes. This is where we get that incredibly
powerful line. I am black and beautiful. daughters
of Jerusalem. Right, just put it out there. Acknowledges
her skin color, but immediately claims its beauty.
And addresses the daughters of Jerusalem, perhaps
anticipating or directly confronting a certain
societal view. And she explains why she's dark.
The sun has burned me. It sounds almost defensive.
A little perhaps, or just matter of fact, but
the next line definitely suggests pressure. Do
not stare at me because I am so black. Yeah,
that really highlights the potential judgment,
doesn't it? It adds this layer of vulnerability
even amidst all the passion. It shows external
factors are still present. And then there's that
bit about her responsibilities. The sons of my
mother were angry with me. They charged me with
the care of the vineyards. My own vineyard I
did not take care of. That's a fascinating line.
It hints at conflict, doesn't it, between duties
and her own life. or maybe her own well -being.
Like, she's so busy with external demands, the
other vineyards she's neglected herself. That's
a common interpretation, yeah. Her own vineyard
as a metaphor for her own needs, desires, maybe
even her own body or spirit, it adds real complexity.
Okay, so there's that tension. Now, let's shift
to the yearning when they're apart, that search
for the beloved. Right, this creates a different
kind of tension, the ache of separation. Her
question is so direct. Tell me you whom my soul
loves, where you shepherd, where you give rest
at midday. You feel the depth of that connection
in you whom my soul loves and the anxiety is
right there. Definitely. Why should I be like
one wandering after the flocks of your companions?
She doesn't want to be lost or just one of the
crowd. She wants him. Specifically. And his response
is interesting. It's not just don't worry. No,
it's practical advice. Follow the tracks of the
flock and pasture your lambs near the shepherd's
tents. It's like he's gently guiding her, giving
her a tangible way to find him. Reinforcing their
connection almost like, you know how to find
me? Our bond is real! Okay, so even apart, the
connection's strong. Let's talk about how they
praise each other, the expressions of beauty
and value. Uh, this is where the poetry gets
incredibly rich. So many metaphors. Starting
with this comparison, to a mare among Pharaoh's
chariotry. I compare you, my friend. Which sounds
a bit odd to us, maybe. Right, but you have to
think context. Pharaoh's chariots, symbols of
power, prestige. Okay. And the mares pulling
them were elite, prized for strength, speed,
beauty, so comparing her to one. Ah, so it was
actually a huge compliment, like calling her
exceptional prized stunning. Yeah, actually,
high praise in that world. Got it. And then he
gets more specific. Your cheeks, lovely impendence,
your neck in jewels. Focusing on details, the
adornments that enhance her beauty. But it's
not just about how she looks now, is it? There's
a promise. We will make pendants of gold for
you and ornaments of silver. It's about cherishing
her, wanting to adorn her further. Like a tangible
sign of how much he values her. Okay, let's move
into the really intimate moments. The sensory
details here are amazing. They really bring you
into their shared space, don't they? While the
king was upon his couch, my spikynard gave forth
its fragrance. Spikynard? Yeah. That was precious,
right? Expensive perfume. Very, like myrrh, which
comes up next. Both highly valued, associated
with royalty, intimacy, sacredness even, her
fragrance fills their shared space. And then
her descriptions of him. My lover is to me a
sachet of myrrh. between my breasts, he lies.
Wow. So intimate. Murr again, precious, fragrant.
And the location between my breasts speaks volumes
about closeness. Physical closeness, emotional
closeness. And then my lover is to me a cluster
of henna from the vineyards of Engedi. Henna,
another beautiful scent associated with beauty
and celebration. Engedi, an oasis known for its
lushness. It's all about him being desirable,
precious, a source of delight. And he praises
her right back. How beautiful you are, my friend.
How beautiful. Your eyes are doves. The dove
imagery often suggests gentleness, peace, maybe
purity. And she echoes it. Yeah. How beautiful
you are, my lover. Handsome indeed. This lovely
back and forth. Yeah, that mirroring is important.
And then they even describe their surroundings
in these lush terms. Burdened indeed is our couch.
The beams of our house are cedars. are rafters,
cypresses. It's like their love makes even their
dwelling place rich and beautiful. Cedars and
cypresses, strong, fragrant, valuable woods.
Painting this idyllic picture, okay, now for
the even more metaphorical language they use.
Right, taking it up another level. She says,
I'm a flower of Sharon, a lily of the valleys.
Humble wildflowers, but beautiful ones. Suggesting
something natural, maybe unassuming? Perhaps,
but then he immediately elevates her. Like a
lily among thorns, so is my friend among women.
Ah, so she stands out. Her beauty and purity
shine even in a difficult world, like a lily
surrounded by sharp thorns. Precisely. It singles
her out as exceptional. And she returns the favor.
Like an apple tree among the trees of the woods,
so is my lover among men. The apple tree offering
fruit, sweetness, shade perhaps? Standing out
from ordinary woodland trees? He's special, nourishing.
And she follows that with, in his shadow I delight
to sit. and his fruit is sweet to my taste. That's
so telling, isn't it? Finding comfort, protection,
the shadow, and deep satisfaction sustenance
the sweet fruit. Both security and fulfillment
from him. It's this beautiful cycle of admiration.
It really is. So what about the actual experience
of being in love? How is that described? Well,
there's that sense of being overwhelmed, I think.
He brought me to the banquet hall and his glance
at me signaled love. Like being totally surrounded
by it, immersed in affection. Yes. And then that
physical intensity. Strengthen me with raisin
cakes, refresh me with apples for I am sick with
love. Ugh. the classic lovesick feeling. She's
so overcome she needs actual physical sustenance.
Exactly. It's expressed so vividly here. It highlights
how all consuming these deep feelings can be.
Joyful, but almost painful sometimes in their
intensity. It feels very real, very human even
now. Definitely. And right after that plea you
get this image of comfort. His left hand is under
my head and his right arm embraces me. It's such
a tender picture of closeness. of being held
and secure. It's a moment of perfect intimacy.
And then comes that strange warning, or plea.
I adjure you daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles
and the does of the field, do not awaken. or
stir up love until it is ready. That adoration
is crucial. It comes up a few times. What's the
significance, do you think? It emphasizes that
love is delicate, isn't it? It has its own natural
timing. You can't force it or rush it and use
to unfold. Like trying to wake someone up before
they're ready, you have to respect its process.
Exactly. Protect it, let it grow naturally. It's
a really lovely, sensitive idea. Okay, let's
transition now to the lover's arrival. There's
this incredible energy tied into spring. Oh yeah,
the section bursts with life and anticipation.
It mirrors that feeling of reunion, of love blossoming
again. The sound of my lover. Here he comes,
springing across the mountains, leaping across
the hills. Just listen to the energy in that.
It's so dynamic, you can almost see him bounding
towards her full of eagerness. And comparing
him to a gazelle or a young stag. Perfect images
of agility, vitality, speed. He's not dragging
his feet. No way. But then there's this moment
of almost hidden observation. See? He is standing
behind our wall, gazing through the windows,
peering through the lattices. Hmm, that adds
a layer of suspense, doesn't it? Longing anticipation.
He's close, but not quite there yet, peeking
in. And he calls out to her. Arise, my friend,
my beautiful one, and come. And the reason? Nature
itself is calling. For see the winter is past,
the rains are over and gone. The flowers appear
on the earth, the time of pruning the vines has
come, and the song of the turtle dove is heard
in our land. It's a complete awakening. Winter
is over, symbolically maybe a time of separation,
or quietness is over. Now it's time for life,
growth, song. The whole world is reflecting the
renewal of their connection. The appearance of
figs, the fragrance of vines. It's all tied together.
Their love and the natural world are in sync,
bursting forth together. It really deepens the
feeling of blossoming love. Okay, after that
rush of spring imagery, we get this very intimate
call. Yes, his address to her. My dove in the
clefs of the rock, in the secret recesses of
the cliff. A dove, suggesting gentleness again,
but also hidden, protected. Exactly. It feels
incredibly tender, affectionate, like she's precious,
maybe a bit vulnerable, hidden away safely. And
he wants to bridge that distance. Let me see
your face, let me hear your voice. Such a simple,
fundamental desire, isn't it? For your voice
is sweet, and your face is lovely. Just one of
that basic sensory connection with the person
you love. It's profound in its simplicity, seeing
and hearing the beloved. And then, uh, this call
to action about foxes. Catch us the foxes, the
little foxes that damaged the vineyards, for
our vineyards are in bloom. A brilliant metaphor,
I think. For what? What are the foxes? Well,
the vineyards represent their love, right? which
is in bloom, flourishing, but maybe still fragile.
So the foxes, the little foxes could be anything
that threatens to undermine or damage that love.
Small doubts, external pressures, gossip, misunderstandings.
Things that can gnaw away at a relationship,
especially when it's new or blossoming. Precisely.
So the call is to be vigilant, to actively protect
their love from these threats. Don't let the
little things spoil it. It's a call for intentional
effort to safeguard what they have. That resonates,
doesn't it? Thinking about early relationships
or even just moments of vulnerability. Absolutely.
It suggests love isn't just passive. It requires
active nurturing and protection for anyone listening
who's maybe in that early stage or feeling that
longing. It's a reminder to cherish and guard
that connection. Okay, so finally we arrive at
these declarations of belonging and still a bit
of longing. Yes, the woman's declaration is so
strong. My lover belongs to me and I to him.
Total mutual devotion. Simple, powerful. He feeds
among the lilies. That image suggests he finds
nourishment, beauty, peace within their connection,
within her sphere. It's a fulfilling image, but
then there's still this sense of waiting. Until
the day grows cool and the shadows flee, roam,
my lover. Right. It seems to imply a temporary
separation still, or perhaps the cycle of day
and night, presence and absence. She wants him
near when night comes, when the shadows flee
at dawn. Like a gazelle or a young stag upon
the rugged mountains. Back to that image of him,
agile and perhaps distant for a time. It suggests
longing continues, even within the security of
belonging. There's anticipation for reunion,
for closeness, maybe across challenging terrain,
the rugged mountains, symbolizing life's difficulties
they navigate together. So wrapping up this deep
dive, we've really journeyed through quite a
landscape of emotion, haven't we? We certainly
have, from that intense initial longing. Yeah,
through expressions of beauty, self -worth, societal
pressures. The sheer joy of mutual love, the
intimacy. And always that thread of anticipation,
separation, and reunion. The song of Solomon
just uses such vivid imagery, such heartfelt
language to capture it all. It really does. It
feels both ancient and incredibly immediate.
It nails that intensity, that intimacy of romantic
love. And it's remarkable how much it still resonates,
isn't it? The core emotions, the desire, the
joy, the vulnerability, the need for connection,
they feel so contemporary. Totally. Despite all
the centuries between then and now, that human
heart hasn't changed all that much. It seems
not. The power of that connection endures. Absolutely.
It really makes you think, doesn't it? As you
listen, consider what parts of this ancient song
sparked something in you, what resonated with
your own experiences or understanding of love
and desire. It's quite a testament to how deeply
connected we are across time through these fundamental
feelings.