The Book of Song of Solomon ESV Dramatized Audio Bible

By 143 Bible | May 17, 2024
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As I delved into the text of the Song of Solomon, I found myself captivated by the beauty and passion within its verses. The poem, attributed to King Solomon, tells the story of a love affair between two individuals, known simply as the Beloved and the Lover.

Through vivid imagery and poetic language, the Song of Solomon explores themes of desire, devotion, and the power of love. As I read on, I couldn't help but be drawn in by the depth of emotion conveyed in each line.

Solomon's Affection

Solomon's affection towards his beloved is expressed in the Song of Solomon. He compares her to a mare among Pharaoh's chariots and describes her as beautiful with lovely cheeks adorned with ornaments and a neck with strings of jewels.

He also speaks of their love as being better than wine and describes their couch as green with beams of cedar and rafters of pine. Solomon's love for his beloved is evident in the way he speaks of her and the way he longs for her presence.

In the Song of Solomon, Solomon's affection is expressed through poetic language and vivid imagery. He compares his beloved to the most beautiful things in nature and expresses his desire for her. Their love is pure and strong, and it is evident in the way they speak of each other.

The Beloved's Beauty

I am overwhelmed by the beauty of my beloved. His love is better than wine, and his anointing oils are fragrant. The virgins love him, and I am drawn after him. The King has brought me into his chambers, and we will exalt and rejoice in him.

Although I am very dark, I am lovely like the tents of Kedar and the curtains of Solomon. My beloved compares me to a mare among Pharaoh's chariots, and I am adorned with ornaments of gold studded with silver.

My beloved is a sachet of myrrh that lies between my breasts, and a cluster of henna blossoms in the vineyards of En Gedi. His fragrance fills the air, and his beauty is truly delightful.

Our couch is green, and the beams of our house are cedar. Our rafters are pine, and our love is strong. My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag, and he stands behind our wall gazing through the windows looking through the lattice.

I am captivated by his beauty, and I am sick with love. His love is better than wine, and the fragrance of his oils is sweeter than any spice. I am his and he is mine, and we graze among the lilies until the day breathes and the shadows flee.

Invitation to the Beloved

I am drawn to the Beloved, like a moth to a flame. His love is better than wine, and his anointing oils are fragrant. His name is like oil poured out, and therefore virgins love him.

I long to be drawn after him, to run towards him and rejoice in his presence. The King has brought me into his chambers, and we will extol his love more than wine. It is right that we love him, for he is truly delightful.

Although I may be very dark, I am lovely, like the tents of Kedar and the curtains of Solomon. But I know that some may gaze at me and judge me because of my darkness. My mother's sons were angry with me, and they made me keeper at the vineyards, but I have not kept my own vineyard.

I long to know where my soul's beloved passes to his flock, where he makes it lie down at noon. I do not want to be like one who veils herself beside the flocks of his companions. If he does not know where to find me, I will follow in the tracks of the flock and pasture my young goats beside the shepherd's tents.

My love, I compare you to a mare among Pharaoh's chariots. Your cheeks are lovely with ornaments, and your neck with strings of jewels. We will make for you ornaments of gold studded with silver.

While the King was on his couch, my nard gave forth its fragrance. My beloved is to me a sachet of myrrh that lies between my breasts. He is like a cluster of henna blossoms in the vineyards of En Gedi.

Behold, my love, you are beautiful. Your eyes are doves. Truly delightful, our couch is green, and the beams of our house are cedar. Our rafters are pine.

I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys. As a lily among brambles, so is my love among the young women. As an apple tree among the trees of the forest, so is my beloved among the young men.

With great delight, I sat in his shadow, and his fruit was sweet to my taste. He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love. Sustain me with raisins, refresh me with apples, for I am sick with love.

His left hand is under my head, and his right hand embraces me. I adjure you, oh daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelle or the doe of the field, that you not stir up or awaken love until it pleases.

Behold, my beloved comes leaping over the mountains, bounding over the hills. He is like a gazelle or a young stag. Behold, there he stands behind our wall, gazing through the windows, looking through the lattice.

My beloved speaks and says to me, "Arise, my love, my beautiful one, and come away. For behold, the winter is passed, the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtle dove is heard in our land. The fig tree ripens its figs, and the vines are in blossom; they give forth fragrance. Arise, my love, my beautiful one, and come away."

Oh my dove, in the cliffs of the rock, in the crannies of the cliff, let me see your face, let me hear your voice, for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely. Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that spoil the vineyards, for our vineyards are in blossom.

My beloved is mine, and I am his. He grazes among the lilies until the day breathes and the shadows flee. Turn, my beloved, be like a gazelle or a young stag on clefted mountains.

On my bed by night, I sought him whom my soul loves. I sought him but found him not. I will rise now and go about the city, in the streets and in the squares. I will seek him whom my soul loves. I sought him but found him not.

The watchmen found me as they went about in the city. "Have you seen him whom my soul loves?" I asked them. Scarcely had I passed them when I found him whom my soul loves. I held him and would not let him go until I had brought him into my mother's house, and into the chamber of her who conceived me.

I adjure you, oh daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelle or the doe of the field, that you not stir up or awaken love until it pleases.

What is that coming up from the wilderness, like columns of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all the frag

The Lover's Embrace

I am captivated by the romantic and passionate love story depicted in the Song of Solomon. The intimate moments shared between the lovers are beautifully described, and one such moment that stands out to me is the Lover's Embrace.

As the beloved woman eagerly seeks her lover, she finds him and he embraces her with his right hand while his left hand rests under her head. This intimate gesture conveys a sense of protection and tenderness. The woman is overcome with love and adoration for her beloved, and she adures the daughters of Jerusalem not to awaken love until it pleases.

The imagery used in this passage is particularly striking. The woman compares her beloved to a gazelle or a young stag, and she describes their couch as green with beams of cedar and rafters of pine. The fragrant myrrh and henna blossoms add to the sensory experience of the embrace.

Overall, the Lover's Embrace is a beautiful and intimate moment in the Song of Solomon that showcases the deep love and affection between the two lovers.

The Wedding Procession

As I mentioned earlier, the wedding procession is an essential part of the wedding ceremony. It is a grand and joyous affair where the groom, accompanied by his friends and family, makes his way to the bride's house to claim her as his wife. The following is a brief overview of what happens during the wedding procession:

  • The groom and his entourage dress in traditional attire and prepare for the journey to the bride's house.
  • They carry with them gifts for the bride's family, including jewelry, clothes, and other items of value.
  • The groom is usually seated on a decorated horse or in a luxurious car, while his friends and family dance and sing around him.
  • As they approach the bride's house, they are greeted by her family and friends with music, dance, and flower petals.
  • The groom then enters the bride's house and is welcomed by her family. He presents the gifts to them, and they offer him food and drink.
  • The bride is then brought out, and the groom places a garland around her neck, symbolizing his acceptance of her as his wife.
  • The couple is then escorted out of the bride's house, and the procession makes its way to the wedding venue.

Overall, the wedding procession is a colorful and lively event that sets the tone for the rest of the wedding ceremony. It is a celebration of love and union, and an opportunity for the families of the bride and groom to come together in joy and happiness.

The Bride's Adornment

As the bride, I wanted to make sure that my adornment was perfect for my wedding day. I took inspiration from the Song of Solomon, where the bride compares herself to a mare among Pharaoh's chariots and describes her cheeks as lovely with ornaments and her neck with strings of jewels.

To achieve a similar look, I opted for a simple yet elegant necklace with a string of pearls. I also wore a pair of diamond earrings that added a touch of sparkle to my overall look. Additionally, I had my hair styled in loose curls and adorned it with a delicate headband that complemented my jewelry.

I wanted to ensure that my adornment did not overpower my natural beauty, so I kept my makeup soft and natural. I opted for a light foundation, a touch of blush, and a nude lip color.

Overall, I was pleased with my bridal adornment. It was simple yet elegant, and it complemented my natural beauty perfectly.

The Garden of Love

In the Song of Solomon, the garden is a symbol of love and intimacy. It represents a place where two lovers can come together and enjoy each other's company in a peaceful and beautiful setting. As I read through the verses, I couldn't help but imagine myself walking through this garden with my beloved.

The garden is described as a place of beauty, with fragrant anointing oils and ornaments of gold and silver. The King has brought the speaker into his chambers, where they can exalt and rejoice in each other's love. The speaker compares herself to a dark but lovely flower, and her beloved to a cluster of henna blossoms.

In the garden, the lovers can rest on a green couch and enjoy the Cedar beams and Pine rafters of their house. They can sing and listen to the voice of the turtle dove, while the Fig Tree ripens its figs and the vines give forth fragrance.

The garden is also a place of intimacy, where the lovers can be alone and express their love for each other. The speaker seeks her beloved and holds onto him tightly, not wanting to let him go. She asks the daughters of Jerusalem not to stir up or awaken love until it pleases.

Overall, the garden of love is a symbol of the deep and intimate connection between two lovers. It is a place of beauty, peace, and rest, where they can express their love for each other freely and without interruption.

The Lover's Visit

As I eagerly awaited the arrival of my beloved, my heart raced with anticipation. Finally, I caught a glimpse of him leaping over the mountains and bounding over the hills. His radiance and beauty were breathtaking, and I could not contain my joy.

He beckoned me to come away with him, and I eagerly followed him to our secret place. As we lay on our green couch, surrounded by the fragrant scent of myrrh, I felt complete and content.

But as the day wore on, my beloved had to tend to his flock. I longed to be by his side, so I asked him where he would be. He told me to follow the tracks of the flock and pasture my young goats beside the shepherd's tents.

I adorned myself with ornaments of gold studded with silver, and my beloved was pleased. As we walked together, I felt his love and protection surrounding me.

But as the sun began to set, my beloved had to leave once again. I clung to him, not wanting to let him go, but he promised to return soon.

As I watched him disappear over the hills, I knew that our love was worth waiting for. And I eagerly awaited the next time we would be together.

The Dream

I had a dream last night that left me feeling overwhelmed with emotions. In the dream, I found myself in a beautiful garden filled with fragrant flowers and lush greenery. As I walked through the garden, I came across a man who was unlike any other I had ever seen before. He was handsome, with a regal bearing that commanded my attention.

As he approached me, my heart began to race. He took my hand and led me through the garden, telling me how much he loved me and how he had been searching for me for so long. I felt a deep sense of belonging, as if I had finally found my true home.

In the dream, we sat together in a beautiful meadow, surrounded by fields of wildflowers. He held me close and whispered sweet nothings in my ear, telling me how much he adored me and how he would always be there for me.

As I woke up, I felt a sense of longing and sadness, as if a part of me had been left behind in that dream. But at the same time, I felt a sense of hope and excitement, knowing that there may be someone out there who loves me just as deeply as the man in my dream.

Seeking the Beloved

As I read through the Song of Solomon, I am struck by the intense longing for love and connection that the speaker expresses. The language is poetic and beautiful, filled with imagery that evokes a sense of passion and desire. Here are some of the key themes and motifs that I noticed in this section:

  • Longing: The speaker is consumed with a desire to be with their beloved, to experience the intimacy and closeness that comes with love. They seek their beloved everywhere, asking others for help in finding them and expressing their anguish when they cannot be found.

  • Beauty: The speaker is captivated by the beauty of their beloved, describing them in vivid detail and using metaphors to convey their loveliness. The beloved is compared to a rose, a lily, and a mare among Pharaoh's chariots, among other things.

  • Sensuality: The language of the Song of Solomon is highly sensual, with a focus on the physical aspects of love and desire. The speaker describes the fragrance of their beloved's myrrh and the taste of their honeycomb, and uses imagery of breasts and fawns to convey the sensuality of their relationship.

  • Devotion: Despite the challenges and obstacles that the speaker faces in their quest for love, they remain steadfast in their devotion to their beloved. They are willing to endure beatings and bruises from the watchmen who guard the city walls, and they express their love in terms of its superiority to wine and spices.

Overall, the Song of Solomon is a powerful expression of the human desire for love and connection. Its language is rich and evocative, and it speaks to a deep yearning that is universal to us all.

Praise of the Beloved

My beloved is like no other, his love is better than wine. His name is like fragrant oil poured out, and virgins love him. He draws me after him, and we run together in the chambers of the king. We extol his love more than wine, and rightly so, for he is truly delightful.

Though I am very dark, my beloved finds me lovely. Like the tents of Kedar and the curtains of Solomon, I am beautiful to him. My mother's sons were angry with me and made me keeper of the vineyards, but my own vineyard I have not kept.

I ask my beloved where he passes with his flock and where he makes it lie down at noon. I do not want to be like one who veils herself beside the flocks of his companions. He tells me to follow in the tracks of the flock and pasture my young goats beside the shepherd's tents.

I compare my love to a mare among Pharaoh's chariots. His cheeks are lovely with ornaments, and his neck with strings of jewels. We will make for him ornaments of gold studded with silver.

While the king was on his couch, my nard gave forth its fragrance. My beloved is to me a sachet of myrrh that lies between my breasts. He is like a cluster of henna blossoms in the vineyards of En Gedi.

Behold, my beloved is beautiful. His eyes are like doves, and his cheeks are like beds of spices. Our couch is green, and the beams of our house are cedar. Our rafters are pine.

He brings me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me is love. He sustains me with raisins and refreshes me with apples, for I am sick with love. His left hand is under my head, and his right hand embraces me.

I adjure you, daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelle or the doe of the field, that you not stir up or awaken love until it pleases. For love is a delicate thing, and it must be handled with care.

My beloved comes leaping over the mountains and bounding over the hills. He is like a gazelle or a young stag. Behold, there he stands behind our wall, gazing through the windows and looking through the lattice.

My beloved speaks to me and says, "Arise, my love, my beautiful one, and come away. For behold, the winter is passed, the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtle dove is heard in our land. The fig tree ripens its figs, and the vines are in blossom. They give forth fragrance. Arise, my love, my beautiful one, and come away."

Oh, my dove, in the cliffs of the rock, in the crannies of the cliff, let me see your face, let me hear your voice. For your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely.

We must catch the foxes that spoil the vineyards, for our vineyards are in blossom. My beloved is mine, and I am his. He grazes among the lilies until the day breathes and the shadows flee.

Turn, my beloved, be like a gazelle or a young stag on clefted mountains.

The Lover's Appeal

I am captivated by the beauty of my beloved. Her love is better than wine, and her name is like fragrant oil poured out. She draws me after her, and we run together. The King has brought me into his chambers, and we will rejoice in him.

Though I am very dark, my beloved finds me lovely. Like the tents of Kedar and the curtains of Solomon, I am beautiful in his eyes. My beloved is like a cluster of henna blossoms in the vineyards of En Gedi.

I compare my love to a mare among Pharaoh's chariots. Her cheeks are lovely with ornaments, and her neck is adorned with strings of jewels. We will make ornaments of gold studded with silver for her.

My beloved is to me like a sachet of myrrh that lies between my breasts. Our couch is green, and the beams of our house are cedar, while our rafters are pine.

I sought my beloved on my bed by night, but I could not find him. I rose and went about the city, seeking him whom my soul loves. The watchmen found me, but I found my beloved. I held him and would not let him go until I had brought him into my mother's house.

My beloved is mine, and I am his. He grazes among the lilies until the day breathes and the shadows flee.