Song of Solomon 8:1-7

Song of Solomon 8:1-7

With each successive poem, the narrative becomes more intense. The first couple of verses of this chapter may seem strange to us. This is not an appeal to incest. But in a culture where public displays of affection were strongly forbidden, she has a hard time keeping her hands off her beloved. The couple has come to her hometown, and this has awakened memories of passionate feelings, which find their fulfillment in verse 3.

Passionate love is so powerful it is best entered into judiciously, and so verse 4 repeats that warning.

Verses 5-7 are the apex of the collection of these poems. In the second part of verse 5, the groom recalls a place of meaningful moments. In verses 6-7 is a description of the supreme power of love. The implications of "seals" are many, but to translate into our culture, let us say, “Once I put a wedding ring on your finger, nothing was ever the same.” Love is like an irresistible flash flood, like death and the grave; once it has you, it never lets you go. Some have given up everything for the sake of love. While those around them may scoff, the lovers feel that it was worth it too.

“Lord, awaken in me the holy love of my courtship. AMEN.”