Song of Songs — Chapter 3

Upon my couch at nightaat night Apparently in a dream. I sought the one I love—I sought, but found him not.

“I must rise and roam the town,Through the streets and through the squares;I must seek the one I love.”I sought but found him not.

The watchmen came upon meWhile patrolling the town—“Have you seen the one I love?”

Scarcely had I passed themWhen I found the one I love.I held him fast, I would not let him goTill I brought him to my mother’s house,To the chamber of her who conceived me

I adjure you, O maidens of Jerusalem,By gazelles or by hinds of the field:Do not wake or rouseLove until it please!

Who is she that comes up from the desertLike columns of smoke,In clouds of myrrh and frankincense,Of all the powders of the merchant?

There is Solomon’s couch,Encircled by sixty warriorsOf the warriors of Israel,

All of them trainedbtrained Cf. Akkadian aḫāzu “to learn.” in warfare,Skilled in battle,Each with sword on thighBecause of terror by night.

King Solomon made him a palanquinOf wood from Lebanon.

He made its posts of silver,Its backcback Meaning of Heb. uncertain. of gold,Its seat of purple wool.Within, it was decked with loveBy the maidens of Jerusalem.dlove / By the maidens of Jerusalem Emendation yields “ebony, / O maidens of Jerusalem!”

O maidens of Zion, go forthAnd gaze upon King SolomonWearing the crown that his motherGave him on his wedding day,On his day of bliss.