Bible/Song of Solomon/1

Song of Solomon 1:7

1:6 Look not upon me, because I am black, because the sun hath looked upon me: my mother's children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept.
Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon: for why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions? as one: or, as one that is veiled

KJV

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Tell me, you whom my soul loves, where you graze your flock, where you rest them at noon; For why should I be as one who is veiled beside the flocks of your companions?

Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon: for why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions?

Tell me, O you whom my soul loves, where you feed, where you make your flock to rest at noon: for why should I be as one that turns aside by the flocks of your companions? ¶

1:8 If thou know not, O thou fairest among women, go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock, and feed thy kids beside the shepherds' tents.

What does Song of Solomon 1:7 mean?

Song of Solomon 1:7 is a verse in the book of Song of Solomon, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include נָגַד (nâgad), נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh), אָהַב (ʼâhab). It connects to 8 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Hebrew interlinear

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Tellנָגַדnâgad/naw-gad'/H5046properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to one present); specifically, to expose, predict, explain, praise
me,
O
thou
whom
my
soulנֶפֶשׁnephesh/neh'-fesh/H5315properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental)
loveth,אָהַבʼâhab/aw-hab'/H157to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)
where
thou
feedest,רָעָהrâʻâh/raw-aw'/H7462to tend a flock; i.e. pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a friend)
whereאֵיךְʼêyk/ake/H349how? or how!; also where
thou
makest
thy
flock
to
restרָבַץrâbats/raw-bats'/H7257to crouch (on all four legs folded, like a recumbent animal); be implication, to recline, repose, brood, lurk, imbed
at
noon:צֹהַרtsôhar/tso'-har/H6672a light (i.e. window); dual double light, i.e. noon
forמָהmâh/maw/H4100properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and even relatively, that which); often used with prefixes in various adverbial or conjunctive senses
why
should
I
be
as
one
that
turneth
asideעָטָהʻâṭâh/aw-taw'/H5844to wrap, i.e. cover, veil, cloth, or roll
by
the
flocksעֵדֶרʻêder/ay'-der/H5739an arrangement, i.e. muster (of animals)
of
thy
companions?חָבֵרchâbêr/khaw-bare'/H2270an associate
as
one:
or,
as
one
that
is
veiled

Commentary on Song of Solomon 1:7

HENRY_FULL · Song of Solomon 1:7–8
>I thought not on my wealth (as the covetous man, Ps. xlix. 11 ) but on my ways, not on what I have, but what I do:" for what we do will follow us into another world when what we have must be left behind. Many are critical enough in their remarks upon other people's ways who never think of their own: but let every man prove his own work. 2. He turned his feet to God's testimonies. He determined to make the word of God his rule, and to walk by that rule. He turned from the by-paths to which he had turned aside, and returned to God's testimonies. He turned not only his eye to them, but his feet, his affections to the love of God's word and his conversation to the practice of it. The bent and inclinations of his soul were towards God's testimonies and his conversation was governed by them Penitent reflections must produce pious resolutions. 3. He did this immediately and without demur ( v. 60 ): I made haste and delayed not. When we are under convictions of sin we must strike while the iron is hot, and not think to defer the prosecution of them, as Felix did, to a more convenient season. When we are called to duty we must lose no time, but set about it to-day, while it is called to-day. Now this account which David here gives of himself may refer either to his constant practice every day (he reflected on his ways at night, directed his feet to God's testimonies in the morning, and what his hand found to do that was good he did it without delay), or it may refer to his first acquaintance with God and religion, when he began to throw off the vanity of childhood and youth, and to remember his Creator; that blessed change was, by the grace of God, thus wrought. Note, (1.) Conversion begins in serious consideration, Ezek. xviii. 28 ; Luke xv. 17 . (2.) Consideration must end in a sound conversion. To what purpose have we thought on our ways if we do not turn our feet with all speed to God's testimonies? 61 The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law. Here is, 1. The malice of David's enemies against him. They were wicked men, who hated him for his godliness. There were bands or troops of them confederate against him. They did him all the mischief they could; they robbed him; having endeavoured to take away his good name ( v. 51 ), they set upon his goods, and spoiled him of them, either by plunder in time of war or by fines and confiscations under colour of law. Saul (it is likely) seized his effects, Absalom his palace, and the Amalekites rifled Ziklag. Worldly wealth is what we may be robbed of. David, though a man of war, could not keep his own. Thieves break through and steal. 2. The testimony of David's conscience for him that he had held fast his religion when he was stripped of every thing else, as Job did when the bands of the Chaldeans and Sabeans had

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

1 Samuel 24:9

And David said to Saul, Wherefore hearest thou men's words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?

1 Samuel 26:9

And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not: for who can stretch forth his hand against the LORD'S anointed, and be guiltless?

1 Samuel 30:3

So David and his men came to the city, and, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives.

Job 1:17

While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. fell: Heb. rushed

Proverbs 24:29

Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.

Song of Solomon 3:1

By night on my bed I sought him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not.

Hosea 6:9

And as troops of robbers wait for a man, so the company of priests murder in the way by consent: for they commit lewdness. by: Heb. with one shoulder, or, to Shechem lewdness: or, enormity

Romans 12:17

Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

Topics

SheepShepherd

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Song of Solomon 1:7.

Genesis 27:4

And make me savoury meat, such as I love, and bring it to me, that I may eat; that my soul may bless thee before I die.

Genesis 34:3

And his soul clave unto Dinah the daughter of Jacob, and he loved the damsel, and spake kindly unto the damsel. kindly: Heb. to the heart of the damsel

Genesis 37:16

And he said, I seek my brethren: tell me, I pray thee, where they feed their flocks.

Frequently asked questions

What does Song of Solomon 1:7 say?

Song of Solomon 1:7 (King James Version) reads: "Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon: for why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions? as one: or, as one that is veiled"

Is Song of Solomon 1:7 in the Old or New Testament?

Song of Solomon 1:7 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Song of Solomon.

Reflect

As you read Song of Solomon 1:7, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

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