How beautiful are your feet with shoes. She is the kind of person that spreads good news. She carries success along with her. She brings into the relationship, hope and goodwill. She doesn’t get involved in gossips. She has no business with busybodies. She is at the right place (with the right ideas) at the right time and with the right persons. She is a woman of sound principles and she follows the steps of holy, just and faithful women. … with shoes – she’s always ready; ready to tackle maturely any matter that is of relevance to her relationship. Yes, of relevance to the fellowship with her beloved.

The joints of your thighs are like jewels. In his mind’s eye, he sees her as fashionably built. Her thighs have a lovely shape. She stands complete. He acknowledges the fact that it took a very wise workman, a creative Artist to come up with such a shapely figure.

He praises her from the sole of her feet to the crown of her head. He is bound to look, to gaze and to stare at her for he is madly in love.

2. Your navel is a rounded bowl that never lacks mixed wine. Your belly is a heap of wheat, encircled with lilies.
He loves every bit of her including her navel. The navel or belly button typifies life for therein is the silver cord or the golden bowl. [With it (the umbilical cord) a fetus is connected to its mother.] He loves her. He loves the source of her life. He loves her every being – to the core. He would wish to see and have her forever. He might even be tempted not to say, “till death do us part” (for death occurs when the silver cord is broken), wishing for the relationship to go on and on forever, without the interference of death.

And as a result – as of wanting/desiring her always, he appreciates her navel without which she would not have been. He is glad to have her, to see her give herself unreservedly, without grudges, ill feelings, biases or the like, to him. He is thankfully glad for her navel. …that never lacks mixed wine. Yes, her life is sweet! It is rich and tasty.

Let’s take a look at verse 2a literally. Have you ever tried tickling (say with your hands or mouth) the navel of your bride (or spouse)? What was the reaction? It’s a good spot not to be neglected even during foreplay. There is a kind of fun created, a kind of sweet sensation, pleasure derived, for it never lacks mixed wine.

Her navel is a rounded bowl (or a round goblet) that never lacks mixed wine. It is great then to say the same thing as touching her genitals – vagina. For therein are lovely juices – wine. It is important to note that the navel and vagina are strongly connected. They are in the same region; energies flow, as it were, directly between them; amongst other things…

One can infer that the female genital is a round goblet that also never lacks mixed wine. She also has wine in her mouth. Her wine is for her husband. He drinks of her wine through many ways: penile-vaginal union, mouth-mouth fellowship, mouth-genital play (this, in itself is not wrong), etc... He drinks of her (here, he’s active; she’s passive). And of course, she can drink of him. There, she’ll be active; he’ll be passive. {It’s a vice-versa ‘thing’}. Eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink deeply, drink abundantly, O lovers!

In verse 2b, her belly – her inmost being is pure, rich with ideas, goals, visions, and aims in life – is a heap of wheat, encircled with lilies. In as much as the word belly typifies ones innermost being, ones real personality, it is clear that he sees her as a woman of substance, one with a gentle and quiet spirit. These are products of the hidden person of the heart, of one’s belly. Such attributes cause wives to be submissive to their husbands and husbands to be considerate and tolerant with their wives. Such attributes in God’s sight are very precious. And if so, how much of a great benefit we receive!

Little should one wonder why he sings her praise as touching her belly – seeing it as beautiful and commanding respect – encircled with lilies. The effects of her ‘hidden person’ make him acknowledge and appreciate her belly literally.

There is a strong KEY here. Loving the person will cause you to love his (her) body unconditionally irrespective of any ‘ugly’ physical attribute (whether he (she) is physically handicapped, deformed, or even complete but having one feature or the other seemingly ‘ugly’). I believe “love is blind” fits in properly here.

3. Your two breasts are like two young roes that are twins.
After praising and commending her navel and belly, he moves on to her two breasts. These erogenous zones of the male and female need to be as close together as possible, even during the ACT itself for deep satisfaction and it sends a lot of messages (meanings) notably to the wife. This [I presume] is best achieved with a face-to-face position, especially with the woman on her back.

For as the bodies merge, and caress together even the lips inclusive, while intercourse is on, she gets a kind of feeling or ‘a message’ that she’s loved ‘all over’ – totally. She ‘knows’ that she’s not being used for she sees his self-giving. She in turn, is stimulated to open up more, yielding her whole being in total self-giving (unselfish giving). At the end of the day, each embarks primarily on self-giving and invariably receiving; receiving yet to give more. Deep, heart-felt, sincere and final, (total) satisfaction is felt, gotten, and/or achieved.

The souls merge, the minds merge, the hearts merge leading to the bodies merging, leading again to a further merging of the souls, the minds, and the hearts and as such the bodies merge all the more AND a final ONENESS is attained. We see a wheel, within a wheel, within a wheel!! Creativity thrives here.

The breasts are two. This gives a picture of completeness. He admires her breasts. They also are gate-ways to "her" – to ‘discovering’ her; to ‘touching’ her in the most intimate of all ways.

She’s complete; he thus desires to have her. Therein, her strength also lies.

4. Your neck is as a tower of ivory; your eyes like the fish pool in Hesh-bon, by the gate of Bath-rab-bim. Your nose is as the tower of Lebanon, which looks towards Damascus.
The admiration continues. Every part of her is important to him, is lovely in his eyes, in his world! He says – “Your neck is beautiful, it is expensive, it uplifts you, it creates for you a good morale. It carries your head – eyes, nose, ears, mouth… It connotes that which upholds, aids your eyes in seeing afar off, your ears in hearing clearly…. Seeing it holds the head in place, it is altogether lovely. It plays a great role in ensuring there are benefits enjoyed from the head and all its parts – eyes, mouth, … both literally and otherwise (by implication).

There is an aura of safety, of security, of purposefulness, of strength that surrounds her, for her neck is as a tower of ivory.

Her eyes are clean, neat and clear. She sees clearly. She’s smart, quick to apply her wits. She easily ‘reads’ and understands issues, matters that concern her relationship. Yes, her intuition is sharp. She is quick to act, yes, maturely with wisdom and at the same time, cool, reserved, and patient, counting her pace. She is intelligent; beauty pervades her.

Such a woman is ‘worth the seeking’! For her eyes are like the fish pools in Hesh-bon, by the gate of Bath-rab-bim. Heshbon means intelligence. In her eyes, see intelligence. Bathrabbim means daughter of multitudes. See her as somebody very, very special. She is everybody’s girl – all loves her. “She is the fairest of 10 000… ”

As for her nose, they are worth the climbing! She is cool, calm and as such breathes out peace, understanding, releasing herself of any tension. She breathes out LOVE. Never neglect her nose; it’s a good teasing spot. Need a little fun? Without notice, handle. Her nose is like the tower of Lebanon, which looks towards Damascus. Lebanon implies that which is of great height, worth, and admiration. Damascus being the chief city of Syria connotes that which is of great importance. Her nose looking towards Damascus then implies she’s concerned with that which is of great importance. She plays a major role in ensuring the safety, security and well being of her intimate relationship, family and/or home. Such a woman is virtuous indeed and worth desiring!

5. Your head upon thee is like Carmel, and the hair of your head like purple; the king is held in the galleries. Your head upon thee is like Carmel.
She’s very strong and purposeful. She is intelligent and is of great strength. Hard working, determined and obedient is she. She has the capacity to forbear in hard times even when her relationship seems to be dwindling. Even when it seems to be heading for the rocks, she believes somehow, someday, all’ll be solved. The fact that women can forbear is undisputable. (Men should look into this quality and learn).

Her hair is neat always. It is beautifully done. She understands that a carefree outlook turns him off. She knows that her outward appearance also speaks of her in-most feelings for him. Her hair is a glory to her and she seizes every opportunity to cause this glory to shine forth. Royalty behooves her!

What a woman! Her man, her groom is thus easily enslaved, entrapped in her arms. He is content betwixt her breasts. He knows no other for his dove, his undefiled, is one. Yes, the king is held in the galleries. The king is held ‘captive’.

‘Grasp’ your man, and hold him in the galleries. He is within your reach, ‘under’ your power. Eat him up totally with LOVE. (Same applies to the man).

6. How fair and how pleasant art thou, O love, for delights!
Bearing in mind all her wonderful attributes, he exclaims: “How fair and how pleasant art thou, O love, for delights!” He speaks words from his belly to her. He addresses her as: O love. This man is in love!

She is fair; she’s cool, tender and gentle.

She is pleasant – compatible to be with. She is so sweet!

O love, for delights! He delights in her. He derives joy from her. Their relationship is satisfying. The contentment he receives invariably influences him to love more, to be more considerate, temperate and mild (or gentle) in his dealings with her. He would not rub minds with her impatiently. There is always fun and a glow in their affair --- O love, for delights! Yes, herein lies a good breeding ground for understanding, for cooperation.

7. This your stature is like to a palm tree, and your breasts to clusters of grapes.
A virtuous bride is like a palm tree. She is stable – not easily moved by any wind of marital troubles. No storm can shake her stand – she knows her man, she wants to have him, she believes in a stable relationship, no matter what. She works towards it. She creates it.

This woman is strong and supportive. She aids her man in every sphere of his life – yea, in all his endeavors; being rich in advice, encouragement and faith. She is capable of holding the family together. No wonder, her children love and respect her. Her neighbors call her blessed. Their lips are filled with praises for her. She is like a shelter to her home. Literally, she walks with confidence, yes, with elegance. There is boldness, courage and firmness in her strides. And these strides are soaked in humility.

He is blessed to have such a woman. Without struggle, he utters, “This your stature is like to a palm tree.” Also, he is ‘overtaken’ by her breasts. He indeed has been held in the galleries. Her breasts are like clusters of grapes to him; neat, beautifully arranged. They give a sense of unity – cluster; and also a sense of strength, a source of strength. The breasts are avenues through which he fellowships with her. They are sweet to the taste.

8, 9. I said, I will go up to the palm tree, I will take care of the boughs thereof: now also your breasts shall be as clusters of the vine, and the smell of your nose like apples; and the roof of your mouth like the best wine for my beloved, that goes down sweetly, causing the lips of those that are asleep to speak.
Frankly, these verses speak of love coupling -- I will go up to the palm tree or I will climb the palm tree. He will climb (mount) her. He will lay hold of its branches – take care of the boughs thereof. He will caress her parts. He will hold firmly her breasts for they are soft and tender. They are worth fondling and she derives great satisfaction and contentment from them.

The smell of her nose is like apples. The scent of her breath is appealing for she ‘breathes’ in the ACT. Also she is a woman that maintains a good hygiene. She always has a fresh breathe. She is clean and tidy, all over.

The roof of your mouth… The French kiss avails couples the privilege of getting to each other’s roofs; the roof of the mouth! (French kiss is not new.) Oh, what a deep sweetness and satisfaction derived from a firm, prolonged, intimate kiss -- … best wine for my beloved… Even the lips of those asleep speak as a result. This portrays the extent to which satisfaction is derived – the ecstatic feeling enjoyed for even while he climbs her (love coupling), he touches the roof of her mouth! It also portrays the great connections between we all as humans. A wonderful relationship/fellowship between two ‘love birds’ rubs off on humanity as a whole! Oh, what an opportunity to be a blessing, a source of healing to humanity!!

10. I am my beloved’s, and his desire is towards me.
She speaks out. (It’s a two-way thing – he expresses his wonderful views about her and vice-versa). She throws her whole self into him in saying: I am my beloved’s. Her privacy is his. He is well acquainted with her innermost desires. No one knows her heart as much as he does. He is not a stranger to her plans, wishes, and dreams. He is not a stranger to her faith, and her fears. Their relationship breeds oneness. This oneness is visible in words and in deeds. Such couples are unfamiliar with languages like mine, yours… They always say ours. It is our finance not your (or my) finance. It is our success, failure, troubles (as the case may be) not yours (or mine). It is always ours!

His desire is towards me. And as such, he always gets her involved in his business. She is not unaware of his whereabouts. He is the kind of guy that does things that are beneficial to the relationship. He also creates sufficient time to be with her. Yes, his desire is towards her!

11. Come, my beloved, let us go forth into the field; let us lodge in the villages.
We see clearly here, the strong desire of a woman to be with a man   -> her man in their own privacy. She always wants him around her. She gets worried and begins to question his love when he is always away. She cherishes, she enjoys the romance of his presence; the romance of being together, talking, gisting, being in each other’s arms, laughing, playing…   Just having some fun.

She needs his attention. It pleases her when he relates matters concerning his job (work) to her. She loves to see him talk to her about issues that affect their home – kids, bills, plans, prospects for the future…

It is always easy for a man to voice out his problems, fears, troubles, shortcomings and the like to a woman he loves. He opens his heart to her. Certain avenues cause this to be. For example, when they spend sufficient time together – alone, undisturbed, unhindered in the field, in the villages. In a quiet atmosphere, he pours his heart out; she pours her heart out.

An unselfish man will heed unreservedly to her bid. In the field where there is calmness, peace and serenity, where there are the lilies, where beauty pervades. In the field, understanding flows. In the villages, ‘compromise’ and cooperation takes place. Here they even disagree to agree and agree to disagree – all in peace, all for unity.

12. Let us get up early to the vineyards; let us see if the vine flourish, whether the tender grape appear, and the pomegranates bud forth: there I will give you my love.
This connotes a method of family planning. She calls out to him for them to examine her – (vineyards) carefully. The examination has to be done early enough. It has to be timely. Whether the vine flourish, whether the tender grape blossoms have opened and the pomegranates are in bloom. Yes, whether she’s ripe, ripe enough for pregnancy to occur; whether ovulation has occurred or is near occurrence. To see if some ‘little’ body changes have taken (or are taking) place for at such a time she’s in the ‘mood’. She’s easily sexually aroused. Her response, her drive is high. This is clear for she says: there will I give you my love.

After you must have gone with her into the fields, after you must have lodged with her in the villages, and then have gotten up early with her to the vineyards, she’ll be completely willing to give you all her "loves". She’ll express her love in every different way. In this one woman, you’ll enjoy ‘500’ other women. She is all you need, friend.

Indeed you’ll see that her love fades not away. In bed, out of bed; at noon, dusk and dawn, she’ll give you her loves. This she’ll do; completely yielding her entire self to you – you, the one that has patiently found his way to her very core. You, the one who has touched her. Yes, her very depths. Of a surety, you will realize there is far much love in a woman than you ever dreamt of!

This verse (verse 12) also connotes a situation where both the male and the female undergo examination. They both examine themselves and discover whether there is great love flow between them – to see if the vine flourish, whether the tender grapes appear, and the pomegranates bud forth. For it is only where there is love (not lust, selfishness, greed, even hate, grudges, disunity, etc) that they can ensure a blissful romance and consequently a unique sexual union. Only love has the power to cause her to release all her loves.

Always remember that true sex (and great sex) is the one born out of love. Because you love her, you touch her. Never expect a positive, lasting response if you beat-up, disrespect, despise, and abuse her.

13. The mandrakes give a smell, and at our gates are all manner of pleasant fruits, new and old, which I have laid up for you, O my beloved.
Recall that Jacob had to lie with (to have sex with) Leah, his wife for her son’s (Reuben’s) mandrakes that she gave to Rachel (Jacob’s other wife). Rachel had kept him under her arms – held him ‘bound’ in the galleries but had to let go of him because of the mandrakes.

The mandrakes give a smell. There is a strong power of love available to cause them (the lovers in the Song) to unite in sexual embrace. The fragrance created by their sacrificial self-giving (in all spheres) pulls them together more and more, day by day. Their love never grows cold. What a blessed UNION OF JOY! It is a possible accomplishment, for with God all things are possible. This includes an intimate man-woman relationship.

… at our gates are all manner of pleasant fruits… Yes, within their reach are all the qualities/attributes that keep their love aglow – their behavior, character, life styles, attitudes, etc are worth emulating. They have at their disposal (and thus display) the know-how, the abilities, and the power to please, to satisfy each other.

New and old, which she has prepared for him. The fruits – the ones seen in the early days of their relationship – old and the ones discovered, implemented in recent times – new have all been laid up for him! Wow!! For he is the one that plays the leading role in everything that concerns them – he is the head. He leads, she follows in sweet surrender. This does not imply that she is totally passive. She "leads" also…

‘In bed’, he’ll never fail her for he has learned and mastered the art of bringing her to arrival. As such, his fruits, the honey, milk and wine he gives her, his more-than physical touches, etc are all sweet to her taste. Yes! He leads her beyond the physical into the spiritual. The soul steering Oneness they experience binds them much more to the covenant – one flesh. And this oneness radiates in all spheres of their union. Truly, they are of one mind, one purpose, one faith, and one heart! Unity, Unity, Unity sings comfortably in their home…

- Trevor J.B. Simmons
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