Ecclesiastes 1
Song of Solomon Chapter 1 is the first part of Solomon’s Song, expressing conversations, emotions, and the passion of love between beloved people in the language of beautiful poetry. The main characters appear as the bridegroom (man) and the bride (woman), and they openly reveal their feelings of love for one another, as well as the sentiments of beauty, longing, and yearning. This chapter shows the initial stage of love, portraying the process and circumstances in which their hearts meet between the two.
1verseThe words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem:
2verse“Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher; “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.”
3verseWhat does man gain from all his labor in which he labors under the sun?
4verseOne generation goes, and another generation comes; but the earth remains forever.
5verseThe sun also rises, and the sun goes down, and hurries to its place where it rises.
6verseThe wind goes toward the south, and turns around to the north. It turns around continually as it goes, and the wind returns again to its courses.
7verseAll the rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is not full. To the place where the rivers flow, there they flow again.
8verseAll things are full of weariness beyond uttering. The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.
9verseThat which has been is that which shall be, and that which has been done is that which shall be done; and there is no new thing under the sun.
10verseIs there a thing of which it may be said, “Behold, this is new”? It has been long ago, in the ages which were before us.
11verseThere is no memory of the former; neither shall there be any memory of the latter that are to come, among those that shall come after.
12verseI, the Preacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem.
13verseI applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under the sky. It is a heavy burden that God has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with.
14verseI have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and behold, all is vanity and a chasing after wind.
15verseThat which is crooked can’t be made straight; and that which is lacking can’t be counted.
16verseI said to myself, “Behold, I have obtained for myself great wisdom above all who were before me in Jerusalem. Yes, my heart has had great experience of wisdom and knowledge.”
17verseI applied my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also was a chasing after wind.
18verseFor in much wisdom is much grief; and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.
The Flow of the Main Content
- Verses 1–4: The bride confesses her love for the bridegroom and expresses her longing for him. She praises his name and fragrance, saying that his love is better than wine.
- Verses 5–7: The bride shows her humility and worries about her appearance, as well as how earnestly she seeks the bridegroom. While she mentions blackness, this reflects not shame but the mindset in which she believes she is ordinary or lacking.
- Verses 8–11: In his response, the bridegroom praises the bride’s beauty and preciousness, elevating her worth as someone who is loved.
- Verses 12–17: The scenes of love grow even deeper, with careful descriptions of their feelings for one another, joy, and closeness. There is a portrayal of their happiness in being together in the home and in nature.
Symbols and the Overall Meaning
In Song of Solomon, poetic expressions, metaphors, and symbols overflow. In Chapter 1, you mainly see emotions of personal love and their purity, wonder, and the joy of discovering the value of the other person. The text goes beyond simple romantic love between a man and a woman, describing the beauty of love itself, steadfast devotion, and the importance of respecting one another.
Meditation Points
- In Song of Solomon Chapter 1, you are encouraged to meditate on how important it is to begin love, feel the excitement of it, and offer deep respect and praise for the one you love.
- Think about the love and respect for the other person that are in your heart, and about the value you have.
Apply It to Yourself
- Remember that I, too, love someone, and that I am someone who is loved; then search for the other person’s good points and honestly praise them.
- Instead of worrying about your outward appearance, you can apply this by cherishing the beauty within yourself and having confidence.
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