See her as special; appreciate her. Her beauty must be a rare beauty as far as you (and you alone) are concerned for her hair is as a flock of goats that appear from Mount Gilead. Also, her hair signifies glory. Flock of goats that appear from mount Gilead connotes orderliness, a beautiful array! With her you will experience voluptuous, romantic volcanic eruptions of love. The mountain of love, mount Gilead is all before you. Remember, the hairs of your head are numbered. Every single strand has something to tell you. I tell you, this one woman holds countless riches for you. It would be foolish to look elsewhere. All you ever needed and much more are in her.

And remember, she’s got doves’ eyes. She got eyes that see deeply into the ‘within’. Her perceptions are sharp. Her intuitions are excellent. Love her, cherish her and be proud of her! (Also, listen to her).

2. Your teeth are like a flock of sheep that are even shorn, which came up from the washing; whereof every one bear twins, and none is barren among them.
A clean set of teeth as described above, gives an invitation to the tongue. The tongue, most precious performs brilliantly with them. Cleanliness, they say, is next to godliness. Your outward appearance plays a strong role in the fellowship and an-always refreshed mouth with a clean set of teeth is not ‘outside the issue’.

3 –5. Your lips are like a thread of scarlet, and your speech is comely: your temples are like a piece of a pomegranate within your curls of hair.
Your neck is like the tower of David built for an armory, whereon there hang a thousand buckles, all shields of mighty men.
Your two breasts are like two young roes that are twins, which feed among the lilies.

If you truly love from the heart, you will surely love everything about her features—her lips, her neck, her breasts. Learn to love truly from the heart. Work on your mind and enter a loving absorption as touching that woman, your woman.

If you are already in a relationship and you feel/believe you cannot love her in the context of love that is being discussed, don’t close this book! By the ability that is available unto you, you can love beyond, far beyond the limits you set before yourself. Love is of God and the more you tap into Him, the easier you express marital love. With Agape, phileo and eros comes in so easily. I believe the best lovers are those whose hearts are totally yielded to the One that instituted marriage– the Creator God. So, the more spiritual you are the better for you.

King Solomon was a wise man. Wisdom will cause you to give your wife the much-needed satisfaction. With wisdom, you’ll equip yourself with patience, patience to ‘make her arrive’, uniting with her as both of you actualize "peak performance", soul satisfaction. With wisdom (and knowledge), gentleness, tenderness and play will all be within your reach. These are easy. These are attainable. These are yours.

He admires her lips for he’s in a "concentrated solution of love". Lips are of the doorway – the mouth to reaching a person (sex organ is another doorway). Be skilful in your fellowship with it. Your appreciation of it helps.

Little should you wonder, he says her speech is comely, is beautiful! You can consistently love, adore your spouse. It is possible under the sun! NB: always see something good in what your beloved does/says. Covet her speech to be comely. You must renew your mind as touching your outlook if you truly desire ‘AN ETERNAL RELATIONSHIP’.

He goes on… : your temples…. Another word for temples is cheeks. From the description, it is evident, it is clear that there exists a beauty he alone sees. No other soul sees it (just) the way he does. It is possible for you to entice your lover in a language that he/she (alone) understands. Please do. Your spouse is the only one that can analyze that within the veil and that within the locks (curls of hair).

The neck is safely guarded. It connotes security. Holding of the neck speaks of a desire to keep her secured. You are invariably saying: “I love you, I keep you secured, you are mine -- my most cherished one. You are safe in my hands.”

To the breasts, he declares: they are like twins of two young roes. He sees them as ripe and lovely. (Their sizes notwithstanding,) he applauds them. The breasts are a medium through which one touches his bride. A deep love admiration will cause you to touch them properly. In handling, you intimately find your way much more easily into her treasured garden. For you cause her to respond in a way so real, pretence cannot fit in here. Faking it doesn’t exist here. Handle softly, touch gently and you are near her gate!

...which feed among the lilies. The two breasts give a sense of unity; breeds an appreciation in him, a feeling of want. They are a basic stimulant of touch, a most treasured erogenous zone. In a sense, they are like an extension of her person, and extension of her mind (heart). There is so much to deduce from the breasts.

6. Until the day breaks, and the shadows flee away, I will get me to the mountain of myrrh, and to the hill of frankincense.
He sees himself being with her all night long. He sees himself enjoying that sacredness of loving with his woman. There is beauty, there is light, and there is a sweet smell. They will always be together, face-to-face unless parted by the necessary ‘calls of the day’. None is idle, doing nothing. If they are not involved in one duty, business, function or the other, they are in each other’s arms! He will get to the mountain of myrrh; she will get to the mountain of myrrh; they will get to the mountain of volcanic orgasmic bliss!

7. You are fair, all over, my love: there is no spot in you.
When will couples come to this point where they see their counterparts, their lovers as persons without spot? Most make the mistake of always seeing faults. They tend always to remember, to store in their minds the wrongs done them by their spouses. Love, suffers long.

Learn to forgive, even as God forgives. I will always reiterate that the more of God one has, the more glorious his ‘walk with his spouse would be’. The more he will express friendliness and romance (or sexual love).

See her best, see and maturely iron out shortcomings. You can have a perfect relationship if you believe and work towards it. Some believe it is impossible. Be it unto you according to your faith! Pray for the scales blocking love’s view to fall off your eyes. You can see her as 100% lovely. To love, you need a miracle.

Look again at the verse. He speaks out of a pure heart. The heart is unbiased towards her. The heart is full of sincerity. Even unconsciously, ‘involuntarily’ (as it were), he declares: you are fair, all over, my love… there is no spot in you. Faith is needed here. Faith is strong. It cleans up. By your faith and spoken words, you can confess her to be without faults, without lusts and anything that betrays matrimony. And you relate to her based on that level – from your heart, mind and body – outwardly. Of a surety, (with time) even others will see the HEALING that will flow into the relationship. By your faith – then words and actions, you can make straight that which is crooked in your home.

8. Come with me from Lebanon, my bride, with me from Lebanon: look from the top of Amana, from the top of Shenir and Hermon, from the lions’ dens, from the mountains of the leopards.
He calls her. He beckons unto her saying, “come, my bride from Lebanon.” What does Lebanon here typify? Chapter 3 verses 9 tell us that king Solomon’s bed is of wood from Lebanon. Consider Lebanon as a place of wealth, of civilization, of good repute, an advanced ‘land’, of fame…. He loves her. He yearns for her to come with him, to bring in all the assured blessings of Lebanon. He doesn’t relent; for nothing, absolutely nothing can buy or replace love. He is in love, and humility is with him, for he humbly calls out to her.

… look fro the top of Amana, … from the lion’s dens… He calls her. He beckons unto her to look [with him] from a privileged position of power, love and authority, to look with great spiritual vision into their wonderful world of love.

9. You have ravished my heart, my sister, my bride; you have ravished my heart with one of your eyes; with one chain of your neck.
His mind has been so affected in such a way that he sees his relationship, his love life in a way, so rare. He believes the difficult. Yes, he truly loves and believes also that she loves him dearly with her whole heart. The existing love is unconditional. Nothing, no not financial setbacks, neither barrenness [childlessness], nor family interferences, can cause the love to wave to and fro.

He is so ravished (so filled with delight) by her all-round beauty – beauty of her every-day steps, her attitudes, dreams, visions, support, ideas, ideals, her person – which makes her features to be all-the-more comely. His heart is so ravished (his heart connoting his whole entity) that he addresses her as his sister, for they are so close; so close at heart. They don’t just share their bodies; rather they share their very souls in loving embrace. Anytime they eat of their fruits (via non-coital sex play & sexual intercourse), they experience a spiritual exultation, a oneness that can be gotten from no other means – hence, the total satisfaction. Both, and not one ‘arrive’. They experience as it were, ‘a nebular rush (of erotic excitation) – seeing stars’.

… my sister… The use of the word, sister carries a message of closeness. The closeness is real. It is clearly noticed in their conversation. They relate as mates, cordially – in decision-making, in public and in their private life. This kind of union is not fictitious. This is not a fantasy world. This is reality. It has happened before in the lives of people; it is happening today; it will be a possibility tomorrow. It can happen in your life, in your relationship. It can happen to you. All things can be made beautiful in your relationship. Only thou believe and work towards it. Definitely, there is a time to marry, a time to kiss and a time to love. And you can enjoy these times to their fullest.

She ravished him with one of her eyes, with one chain of her neck. She blinks at him, ravishing him. She consumes him with a glance of her eyes. She "touches" him with her expression of beauty, with one chain of her neck. She initiates an act of ravishing him! This act is not new. Nothing is new under the sun. And concerning love, sex and romance, nothing is new. People are simply ignorant. Though the secrets, the facts have been laid bare before their very eyes, as evidenced in the book, Song of Solomon.

Her eyes are presented before him in a unique way. She doesn’t look at another with that kind of look. It is reserved only for her lover! So, with her eyes, she as it were adds more crowns to her head, to her glory. Eyes do give insight into the kind of person one is, insight into one’s heart. Her eyes show him love. Thus, it is evident that she is in love.

…with one chain of her neck. Decoration of the neck acts as an attraction to it. A lot of inferences can be drawn from the neck, as other body parts (see verse 4). One may wonder how a person would look like without a neck! Nevertheless, its (or other body parts) absence (maybe due to disability) does not make the person unlovable. What really counts is that the lover activates the symbolism, implications and/or connotations of the body.

Outward appearance has its place - big time! However, the inward is way more important. The perfect male and female body forms as expounded in Song of Solomon hold strong keys that point to great heart positions, and wonderful inward beauty. It is worthy to note that one may be endowed with outward beauty but this would definitely fade off in the eyes of his/her lover if not coupled with inward beauty – high-quality character, disciplined mind, inclination to love unconditionally, disposition towards flexibility, open-mindedness, spirit of giving, self-control, patience, gentleness, and other facets of love. Without inward beauty, the relationship is bound to go down the drain.

Clearly, love that lasts is based on who one is, his personality, attributes, qualities… and not on what. To a very large extent one would invariably love the physical features, even if seemingly ‘ugly’ as far as he/she loves the person. In a sense, before your eyes, your world, everything is beautiful about him, about her.

10. How fair is thy love, my sister, my bride! How much better is thy love than wine! And the smell of thy ointments than all spices!
Notice, the above comment is similar to utterances previously declared. There is cause for repetition. There is power in repetition. He tirelessly admires her; he tirelessly shows it. In different ways, using different approaches, he gives her attention – that much needed attention.

Bask in the love – this is the loving absorption. Let nothing be substituted for it, or any part of it. Is it work? NEVER! Simply let nothing. Yes, not-a-thing! Is it time? The time is there. Create it. If you can get in that flow, blessed are you. It is neither by might, nor by your own power. Do not be in a hurry. Rather, patiently see your forthcoming transformation. Have a willing heart; desire to enjoy this sacred union. And from what we have been expanding, it is evident that you have to play your role. Make a conscious effort and as it were "think the thought, do the deed and say the word(s)"!

If you discover the ‘formula’ to love, you’ll hardly ever lose it. And it can become impossible for you to lose it. Notice that wine cannot steal the love; let alone spices. Wine cannot, money cannot. The mind is made up. It is well guarded. The heart is for ‘the one and only’. Remember, out of it flows the issues of life. Avail yourself for a mind-building process on eternal love.

11. Thy lips, O my bride, drop as the honeycomb: honey and milk are under your tongue; and the smell of your garments is like the smell of Lebanon.
Effects of the showered admiration continue. The lips are like a gate – a gate to the treasure house, wherein is the tongue. You touch them before you touch the tongue. And touching the tongue implies touching her mouth, her words and thus, her heart, and her very person. The tongue, lips are seen as lovely for they drop as the honeycomb and honey and milk are under the tongue. The words, the ideas, the views, the contributions, the suggestions, the person and all that come out of her are duly appreciated.

In as much as you physically touch (via kissing, for example), make sure you cherish the person lest you find yourself walking doggedly in LUST. She might be your spouse. However, reality stands sure: anything sexual without love is lust.

… the smell of your garments is like the smell of Lebanon. This brings to mind the importance of neatness, deodorant and of perfumed clothing. Also, we learn how weighty (vital) attires can be. Put on what you know your spouse loves. Have a complete wardrobe. And when necessary, dress in a way that "calls him to bed", that ‘steal’ his attention. Don’t take things for granted. Every appearance before him passes (sends) a message. Do nothing that would create an unwelcoming atmosphere. Understand useful tips on how you can "win him over".

A garden enclosed, is my sister, my spouse; a spring shut up, a fountain sealed.
She’s inclosed. You alone find your way to her. You alone are permitted by law to enter into her. You are the only vessel entitled to the chief right of enjoying of her fountain, of her spring. She’s a fountain; she’s a spring. She’s rich; she’s wealthy. She has all you need from a woman. ‘Look IN’ properly. She can give you all you need from a woman. Understand her. Do not look elsewhere. Stop being adulterous! Right before you are all you need. Don’t you love her? Learn ‘how to’. Did you not confess at one point in time to her that you love her? Don’t allow the love to go off the window. Don’t go to ‘Jericho to get that, which is before you in Jerusalem’. Get into the flow and seal up yourself in the sealed up fountain!

She’s enclosed, secured from intruders. Yes, this virtuous woman has safeguarded herself for you and you alone. She’s sealed. You have the key to her. You know how to really please her. You are to give her the much-needed attention and of course, you can…. She knows this; you should know also.

13 - 15. Your plants are an orchard of pomegranates, with pleasant fruits; camphire, with spikenard, spikenard and saffron; calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices: a fountain of gardens, a well of living waters, and streams from Lebanon.
Pleasant fruits, spices… are attributed to her. They are metaphorically used to throw light into our understanding of ‘this wonderful lady’. A lady of ladies. A woman of substance. Her fruits, her lifestyle, her qualities are pleasant, radiant, and genuinely brilliant. She is a reflection of love, of motherhood. She is cool-hearted, calm and stable. She is not easily moved (even if she learns that her man is involved in another relationship). She’s reserved, not loud-mouthed; has no time for gossiping, is a stranger to failure, is not acquainted with unforgiveness… She knows the way of love. She is firm and strong enough to stand and withstand ‘all weather’ – be it good or bad for she understands the language of “for better or worse”.

She can make do of the resources available unto her (irrespective of the ‘quantity’) to see to the welfare of her family. She loves truly from the heart and invests herself to see to the contentment of her loved ones. She is every man’s dream.

She’s beautiful all over; she carries with her sweet smelling savors, trees of frankincense, myrrh and aloes. She’s ‘enticing’ in every way – chief spices. Her man cannot help but BE WITH HER – “for better or worse, … in sickness, in health…”

A fountain of gardens – there are many different ways he eats of her fruits. Her body is rich with erogenous zones (areas of the body particularly sensitive to sexual stimulation). And you gently, lovingly stroke, with the two of you "wrapped up in pleasure". You admirably touch, yes! Of the fountain of gardens. You eat of her fruits. There are a lot of things to learn here. Couples who ‘dash into’ (as it were) sexual intercourse, lose a lot. Usually, they end up not being really satisfied, fulfilled and usually find sex distasteful (the ladies most especially). Some of these couples end up settling for less and taking solace in other aspects of the relationship like their rapport, public lives, raising of the kids, etc.

Realize she is a fountain of gardens, a well of living waters (for she quenches, satisfies that taste, that urge, that feeling; she’s rich and healthy). Understand yourselves, and blissfully enjoy yourselves!

… streams from Lebanon. She’s health giving, health-promoting (sexual embrace with her is healthy – good for the health (of both lovers)). She’s mind soothing and soul refreshing. She is rich! Tap into her AND BASK IN FELLOWSHIP ‘in and out of bed’. BASK IN A UNION OF JOY! There is life in intimate, loving, marital sacred sexual embrace!!

16. Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; blow upon my garden, that spices thereof may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits.
Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south… These are forces that affect/influence your partner to love. Winds that nurture encouragement to take up the relationship to deeper and more intimate levels. These are strong positive winds. And when they blow, partners are placed in a realm where their spices flow out.

Yes, these are strong winds of love (that emanate from every facet of the relationship, of the union – north, south winds), tolerance, understanding, cooperation, humility, simplicity, ability to admit wrong, forgiveness, caring, patience… Winds, which create a joyful, pleasant and homely atmosphere. Winds that cause her to express herself in liberty. She cries out to the north wind and to the south wind. She yearns to be ‘awakened’. She longs to see that her beloved eats to his full.

An encouragement from her lover would yield a great reward. And generally speaking (in general terms), she needs to be cheered up for example words like “keep up the good work”, “well done, honey”, “thank you my love” should be showered on her. Blow upon her garden, your winds of love, temperament, forgiveness, patience, adoration and appreciation. Let thoughts of your love for her sink deeply and gain roots in her life.

Awaken her. Challenge her in many ways to improve in her display of love 'in and out of bed' (at all times) à so that spices may flow out; so that sweet fragrance may fill the atmosphere. She can improve. She can give herself to you in a way you may never have dreamt possible. There is a challenge before you: to find her.

NB: If your woman sees that you love and desire her (by your devotion to her, through the respect and regard you show her, etc), she will never want to fail or displease you in any way, at any time. Remember, women are made for loving; men, to give love.

Looking at sex (for this is the main subject of our discussion), she would yield unreservedly to you and say (not necessarily verbally): let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits. What does this mean? You should know by NOW!