Sermon Tone Analysis

By Robert G. Goll

!! /*Song 1:1*/

The Song of Songs, which is Solomon’s.

(Song of Solomon 1:1, NASB95).

!!! *Translation:*

The first verse is most often translated along the lines of “Song of Songs, which is Solomon's”.

It may be translated “Song of Song's, which is about Solomon”, but evidence throughout the Song points to Solomon as the author.

The title “Song of Songs” is the same style as “King of kings and Lord of lords”, it implies that this is the best of all love songs.

!! /*Song 1:2 (Beloved)*/

May he kiss me with the kisses of his mouth!

For your love is better than wine.

(Song of Solomon 1:2, NASB95).

!!! *Translation~/Commentary:*

As we look at the beginning of the book we don't see the Creator God as we do in Genesis, the delight of the blessed as in Psalms, the value of wisdom, righteousness and justice as in Proverbs or deep reflection on life as in Ecclesiastes.

What we do see is the desire of a woman for the kisses from the mouth of her man.

As we look further into this book we will watch as her desire for him and likewise his desire for her, turn into dating, marriage and sex.

We will watch as their relationship deepens, as their respect deepens and as their physical intimacy deepens.

As we watch their relationship it is important to note that it is always presented as good and as pleasing to God.

It is shown as following the proper timing, God's timing, and within that timing to be delightful to them and to God.

Now, back to this young girl who desires that her man kiss her with the kisses of his mouth.

The author here used a clever word play in that the Hebrew for “He will kiss me” sounds similar to “to give a drink”.

This leads into the second half of the verse that his love is better than wine.

However it does not answer the question of “Why did she desire him so?”.

She tells us why she desired him, his love was better than wine.

Wine can give pleasure, but it is nothing compared to the deep soul satisfying kisses of the one you love, the one you are committed to, and the one who loves and is committed to you.

!! /*Song 1:3-4 (Beloved)*/

“Your oils have a pleasing fragrance, Your name is like purified oil; Therefore the maidens love you.

“Draw me after you and let us run together!

The king has brought me into his chambers.”

“We will rejoice in you and be glad; We will extol your love more than wine.

Rightly do they love you.”

(Song of Solomon 1:3-4, NASB95).

!!! *Commentary:*

The girl then continues her description on some of the reasons his “love is better than wine.”

She first says that his “oils have a pleasing fragrance.”

It was customary in this culture for both men and women to apply ointments to their bodies both to cover up the smells if they were unable to take a bath or to add fragrance after a bath before a festival.

The point is that this man has cleaned himself up.

To today's gentlemen, she is simply saying he has taken a bath and has made himself look and smell nice.

She then continues by saying “Your name is like purified oil.”

A person's name is what they are known for, it is their character.

When you hear someone's name what do you think of?

Do you think of someone honest, or a lier?

Do you think of someone who is generous or the local miser?

A person's name represents their character.

She is saying that this man is respectable, he is honest, he is hard working.

This man will take care of me, and treat me well.

His name, his reputation, is so good that it is “like purified oil.”

It is more important than the oils on his body that bring a pleasing fragrance.

His name, his character, is more important than his looks and smell.

However, his looks and smell, his taking care of himself, are still important.

This man has taken care of his body and has good character.

Therefore this girl desires him.

She desires to be with him, to run together in life and to be intimate with him.

His qualities cause not only her to love him but for all the maidens to love him.

All the girls desire him.

He is a great guy to have.

!!! *Application:*

Men: Take a bath.

If you have been out working or playing and are sweaty (or even if you haven't) go take a bath before going on a date or getting together with others.

Pay attention to what you are known for.

What is your reputation?

We don't want to always be living for the approval of others, but if you are known for your quick temper and laziness, you may want to take look if these are true and take steps to change these areas of your life.

Women: Just as Proverbs 31:30 says that “Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain” for the women, it also holds true for the man.

You want a man that you are physically attracted to (who's oils have a pleasing fragrance), but it is much more important to have the “purified oil” of a man with good character.

Men & Women: One question that may come from this is “How do I know a man's character?”

or for the men “How do I know a women's character?”

1. Look at their friends.

- It is said that “A person can't choose their family, but they can choose their friends.”

What type of friends does a man or women have?

Do you like their friends?

2. How do they treat their father or mother?

- How does the man treat his mother?

How does the girl treat her father?

Chances are good they will treat you the same way in the future.

3. How do they get along with their roommates?

- If they are in a situation where they live in close proximity with others, how do they get along with those they live with?

How are their relationships with others around them?

!!! *Illustration: *

The best way I know to find the best spouse is to run hard after God.

Spend time with him and be running in the direction that God has for you.

Be doing what he has for you to do.

While you are running on the road, running after God take a look around and see who is running with you.

Then continue running after God.

A little while later take another look around.

You may notice several who are still running with you from before.

Say “hello.”

Continue running after God.

After a while, again look around.

When you see there is still someone running with you can you invite them to come over and run together.

Seek hard after God and find someone who has the same (or complimentary) calling to your own so that you can seek God and follow him together.

!! /*Song 1:5-6 (Beloved)*/

“I am black but lovely, O daughters of Jerusalem, Like the tents of Kedar, Like the curtains of Solomon.

“Do not stare at me because I am swarthy, For the sun has burned me.

My mother’s sons were angry with me; They made me caretaker of the vineyards, But I have not taken care of my own vineyard.

(Song of Solomon 1:5-6, NASB95).

!!! *Commentary 1:*

The girl has been praising the man she loves.

She nows moves to herself and the tone changes noticeably.

Her first description of herself is that she is black.

From Song 1:6 we can see that she is embarrassed by this fact and that it was not considered beautiful to be dark in that culture.