Let Him Kiss Me With Kisses

“Solomon’s Most Excellent Love Song. Oh, how I wish you would kiss me passionately! For your lovemaking is more delightful than wine. The fragrance of your colognes is delightful; your name is like the finest perfume. No wonder the young women adore you! Draw me after you; let us hurry! May the king bring me into his bedroom chambers! We will rejoice and delight in you; we will praise your love more than wine. How rightly the young women adore you!” Song of Solomon 1:1-4 NET

My childhood was profoundly influenced by the enchanting love songs of the Beatles, a band renowned for their ability to encapsulate the essence of romance and longing. Each melodic line evoked a range of emotions, reflecting the pure, heartfelt devotion of a singer to their beloved. Little did I know at the time that these timeless melodies didn’t just capture fleeting moments of affection; they invited me to embark on a journey of exploration into the rich and nuanced language of love in my own life.

As I navigated through my formative years, my budding faith paralleled my appreciation for these lyrical expressions. I adopted the same words and poetic phrases to articulate my unwavering devotion to the Lord. Yet, I must freely admit that this endeavor occasionally stirred internal conflict. As a young man expressing love and admiration towards what I understood as a male God, I grappled with societal expectations and traditional notions of gender. These moments of introspection became a fertile ground for deeper understanding, allowing me to confront and embrace my feelings without reservations. Ultimately, despite the challenges of societal gender norms, expressing this love felt genuine and appropriate and became an affirming aspect of my spiritual journey, enriching my connection with the divine.

Solomon begins this profound work by calling it “the song of songs,” a phrase that signifies it as the finest or most outstanding among all songs ever composed. This bold declaration raises the intriguing question: What contributes to the greatness of this song? To answer this, I reflect on my formative experiences with music, particularly the influential impact of the Beatles on my understanding of passion and the yearning for love. Just as their melodies and lyrics illuminated these themes for me, the Song of Solomon captures the intense emotions of love and desire between the lover and the beloved right from the outset.

To provide clarity and structure to this exploration, I will refer to the key figures in the text as the Bride, the Bridegroom, and the Friends. The Friends or Cohorts are a chorus within the narrative, offering insightful commentary and perspective on the evolving relationship between the Bride and her Bridegroom. This framework will help determine who speaks or sings at various points throughout the song.

In verse 2, the song commences with the heartfelt adoration from the Bride: “Let Him kiss me with the kisses of His mouth,” or let Him kiss me with kisses. In this expression, the Bride, addressing her Friends in the third-person masculine singular form, articulates her profound admiration for the Bridegroom’s intimate affection and passionate love. She places their connection on a pedestal, emphasizing its significance. As the verse progresses, the grammatical tense shifts to the second-person singular, creating a more intimate and personal tone: “For your lovemaking is more delightful than wine.” The original Hebrew text conveys this captivating sentiment: “For your breasts are more delightful (or better) than wine.” This strikingly bold and sensual comparison underscores the Bride’s deep desire and passion for her Bridegroom, highlighting her yearning to be entirely consumed by their passionate union. Through such vivid and sensual imagery, the song invites readers into the intoxicating realm of love, capturing the essence of desire and the elation it ignites in the human spirit.

“The fragrance of your colognes is delightful.” In ancient cultures, owning oils and perfumes was a distinct mark of prosperity and luxury, indicating social status and sophistication. Wearing these aromatic substances went beyond mere adornment; it became an exquisite expression of joy and exuberance, particularly during vibrant celebrations and festive gatherings. The comparison is striking and evocative: “[your lovemaking is better than wine]; indeed, it surpasses the intoxicating aroma [of precious ointments],” vividly highlighting the deep sensuality and exquisite pleasure that entwine love and intimacy.

“Your name is like the finest perfume.” In this context, the phrase “your name” might serve as a metonymy, tenderly representing the lover in a deeply personal and intimate manner. In Hebrew tradition, a name often encapsulates the very essence of an individual, reflecting their character, identity, and even spiritual significance. There are several layers of meaning behind the term “finest perfume.” It could refer to an oil of purification, a ritualistic substance imbued with sacred significance, or pure, refined oil poured out ceremonially—much like the moment when the prophet Samuel anointed David as king with oil, a powerful symbol of divine favor and consecration. This ‘oil of purification’ suggests that the lover’s name is intertwined with notions of purity, divine grace, and heavenly approval. Alternatively, it might simply convey that the name is reminiscent of the most exquisite and alluring cosmetic oils, evoking beauty, warmth, and an irresistible charm that enchants the senses.

“No wonder the young women adore you!” This statement can be understood in two intriguing ways: it may refer to the enchanting young women residing in Solomon’s lavish harem, where they bask in luxury and charm, or it could allude to innocent virgin women, untouched by men and brimming with youthful hope. In either interpretation, it’s clear that these “young women” are filled with a passionate yearning. Their desire extends beyond mere romantic affection; they long to experience the deep, spiritual connection that comes from being lovers of the Bridegroom, a figure who embodies profound love and unwavering devotion. The imagery captures the essence of passion and longing, revealing the rich emotional layers that intertwine their hearts with the dream of an intimate union.

“Draw me after you; let us hurry! May the king bring me into his bedroom chambers!” This evocative verse is anchored by the figurative expression “draw,” which plays a central role in its meaning. Utilizing a literary device known as hypocatastasis, it compares the physical act of leading someone and the tender, romantic gesture of guiding a beloved. This metaphor resonates throughout the Bible; for example, Hosea 11:4 vividly illustrates how a master gently leads an animal with leather cords, symbolizing care and control, while Jeremiah 31:3 portrays a military victor triumphantly leading his captives, demonstrating power and dominance. In this context, the woman’s fervent desire to be a willing captive of her beloved’s passionate love underscores the themes of longing and surrender.

The verse further enriches its meaning by using three verbs that exemplify a grammatical phenomenon known as “heterosis of person.” This technique shifts the perspective from second-person masculine singular to first-person common plural and concludes with third-person masculine singular forms. Specifically, “Draw me!” directly addresses the beloved in an urgent second-person masculine singular plea, while “Let us hurry!” invites shared excitement and urgency within the first-person common plural, reflecting a collective yearning for closeness. Finally, “he has brought me” or “bring me!” transitions smoothly to the perfect tense in third-person masculine singular, encapsulating the longing to be guided into an intimate embrace. Each element weaves together a rich awareness of desire and connection, illuminating love’s complex, emotive landscape.

“We will rejoice and delight in you; we will praise your love more than wine.” This phrase is sung by the Cohorts, “Let us rejoice and delight in you.” should be classified as cohortatives of resolve, expressing the resolution or determination of the speakers to adopt or accomplish a course of action: “We will rejoice…we will delight…we will praise” or as hortatory cohortatives, exhorting others to join in doing something: “Let us rejoice…let us delight…let us praise.” The phrase “we will praise” could be rendered “we will remember” your love more than wine.

How rightly the young women adore you! Alternatively, “How the righteous love you,” emphasizing the awe and reverence inspired by His character and presence.

My primary focus in the Song of Solomon isn’t just on grammar, though the precision of phrasing is vital, especially when interpreting a song. Carefully chosen words ensure clarity in the lyrics and invite us to delve into the rich nuances and layers of meaning embedded in the Hebrew language. This depth deepens our appreciation and understanding of the song’s intricate themes. My primary focus lies in being led by the text and the Holy Spirit.

It’s important to clarify that the Song of Solomon exists within a distinctly sensual context without crossing the line into sexuality. Here, sensuality portrays a profound emotional and spiritual bond between the lovers depicted in the verses. Their interactions are characterized by tender embraces, lingering glances, and heartfelt affirmations, encapsulating a deep connection that transcends physical attraction. This dynamic mirrors our relationship with Jesus, who, much like the lovers in the song, envelops us in intimacy. He reaches into the depths of our hearts, affirms our identities, and nurtures our innermost thoughts and feelings, cultivating a sense of profound closeness and unconditional love.

The intimacy we share with Him is undeniably sensual, yet it remains healthy and pure, free from our selfish motives or the desire for mere self-gratification. Instead, it encapsulates the realization that Jesus is our Creator and King, who draws us near as a Bride—not for sexual desire, but to foster and draw us into a relationship built on surrender and mutual understanding. In this sacred connection, we comprehend that He is everything to us, fulfilling our every emotional and spiritual need. When we allow intimacy with Him to become sexualized, we risk distorting the essence of who He is and losing the profound meaning and purpose of the closeness and personal connection with Him for which we were uniquely designed.

Stephen Barnett