Song of Songs - Chapter 8

Song of Songs 8.1 O that thou wert as my brother, that sucked the breasts of my mother! when I should find thee without, I would kiss thee; yea, I should not be despised. Song of Songs 8.2 I would lead thee, and bring thee into my mother’s house, who would instruct me: I would cause thee to drink of spiced wine of the juice of my pomegranate. Song of Songs 8.3 His left hand should be under my head, and his right hand should embrace me. Song of Songs 8.4 I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, until he please. Song of Songs 8.5 Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved? I raised thee up under the apple tree: there thy mother brought thee forth: there she brought thee forth that bare thee. Song of Songs 8.6 Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame. Song of Songs 8.7 Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned. Song of Songs 8.8 We have a little sister, and she hath no breasts: what shall we do for our sister in the day when she shall be spoken for? Song of Songs 8.9 If she be a wall, we will build upon her a palace of silver: and if she be a door, we will inclose her with boards of cedar. Song of Songs 8.10 I am a wall, and my breasts like towers: then was I in his eyes as one that found favour. Song of Songs 8.11 Solomon had a vineyard at Baalhamon; he let out the vineyard unto keepers; every one for the fruit thereof was to bring a thousand pieces of silver. Song of Songs 8.12 My vineyard, which is mine, is before me: thou, O Solomon, must have a thousand, and those that keep the fruit thereof two hundred. Song of Songs 8.13 Thou that dwellest in the gardens, the companions hearken to thy voice: cause me to hear it. Song of Songs 8.14 Make haste, my beloved, and be thou like to a roe or to a young hart upon the mountains of spices.

Song of Songs : Chapter 8

Reflections on Love: A Journey Through the Song of Songs

Chapter 8 of Songs concludes this sacred poem with profound meditations on love. What eternal truths about love are revealed in these verses? This powerful text compares love to death in force, highlighting its inextinguishable nature. This chapter also addresses essential themes such as the protection of purity, the value of true love, and the maturation of human relationships.

The Songs 8 offer a vision of love that transcends the romantic, pointing toward divine love. We invite you to meditate with us on five biblical passages that resonate with the timeless truths of this climactic chapter.

Romans 8:38-39

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. » This passage echoes the statement about the power of love in Song of Songs Songs 8:6-7.

1 John 4:18

"In love there is no fear; rather, perfect love casts out fear, because fear presupposes punishment. Whoever fears is not perfect in love." » This verse reflects the assurance and trust in love expressed in Song of Songs 8.

Proverbs 30:18-19

"There are three things too mysterious for me, four that I cannot understand: the way of the vulture in the sky, the way of the serpent on the rock, the way of the ship on the high seas, and the way of the man with a young woman. » These proverbs express the mystery and wonder of love, as illustrated in Song of Songs 8.

Hosea 2:19-20

"I will make her my wife forever; I will make her my wife with justice and righteousness, with love and compassion. I will make her my wife in faithfulness, and she will acknowledge the Lord. » Hosea uses a language of marital love, similar to that of the Song of Songs, to describe the deep relationship between God and Israel.

Matthew 22:37-39

"Jesus answered, 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" Jesus summarizes the commandments in terms of love, recalling the centrality of love in the Song of Songs.

May these reflections on love guide us on our spiritual journey, encouraging us to live and share this divine love that unites us all.