The Beauty of the Lovers (Song of Songs 4:1-6:3)

Listen to the pronouns in this passage.

Did you hear it? In chapter 4, he describes her in the second person: “you are beautiful” – In chapter 5, she describes him in the third person: “His head is the finest gold…” – describing him to her friends. And right in the very middle, he speaks to her in the first person (5:1), and at the very end, she speaks of him in the first person as well (6:2-3)

Think of what this does to those who listen: while the Bride is showing off her Beloved to her friends – the Beloved is not “showing off” his Bride as much as he is delighting in his Bride, and calling the hearers to share in his delight.

This is a remarkably intimate description of their bodies and their lovemaking. Love-making is all about unity – union – two becoming one. Mutual possession. “I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine.”

That’s why Paul says that this mystery is all about Christ and the church.