Honestly, I haven’t studied the Song of Solomon enough to really understand how it was put together. I know that the headings within the text of my bible aren’t inspired, they weren’t breathed out by God, those handy-dandy summaries weren’t put there by the Spirit. And I’ve been challenged more than once to try and read my bible without relying on them, not counting on these add-ons of men to supplant the illuminating work of the Spirit. But when it comes to the Song of Songs, I’d be lost much of the time without them. Who’s on first?

Sure, sometimes it’s pretty obvious who’s speaking, the man, the woman, or some third party. But others times, maybe not so much.

For example, almost all of Song of Songs 4, in both my ESV and CSB, is attributed to the “Man.” The bridegroom expressing his love for his bride to be. And most of the language in the chapter makes that pretty clear as he talks to his “darling” (4:1), his “bride” (4:8), his “sister” (12). But looking at one of my online helps this morning, I’m asked to entertain the possibility that amidst the doting of the love struck bridegroom there is embedded within it a response by his sought after bride.

You are absolutely beautiful, my darling;
there is no imperfection in you.

(Songs of Songs 4:7 CSB)

So, who’s talking here?

Context says this continues to be the bridegroom’s heart towards his betrothed. What’s more, the original word for darling here is apparently the feminine rendering of a word for companion, friend, or lover. So pretty sure it’s the man speaking. But it’s not a stretch if it were the bride to be who’s responding. Is it?

Hmm . . .

And if I then put on the allegorical filter and chew on this ancient love story as a type of Christ and His church, it still would make sense if either Christ or the Church were the ones uttering such words.

We know that Christ so loved His bride, the church, that He gave Himself for her to make her holy, cleansing her with the washing of water by the word, so that He could present her to Himself “in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or anything like that” (Eph. 5:25-27). And so, hear the words of our beloved Bridegroom say to His blood-bought bride:

You are absolutely beautiful, my darling;
there is no imperfection in you.

Yeah, we’re not there yet, but the work is finished, and the outcome is sure. When He sees us, He beholds us as we will be, He dotes on us as He will when we are presented before Him with all the glory He has purposed to clothe us in. Yeah, hear the words of our Beloved, “You are absolutely beautiful!”

But could these be words spoken by the bride as well? Could the church not say also of the One who loved us unto death, redeemed us unto life, and has set us apart for the beauty of holiness:

You are absolutely beautiful, my Darling;
there is no imperfection in You.

I’m thinkin’ . . .

Greatest love story ever told. Greatest love story ever experienced.

I am my Beloved’s, and He is mine. His beauty is mine. His perfection is mine. And, wonder beyond wonder, His affections are mine.

Not because of who I am, but because of what He’s done. Not because of what I’ve done, but because of who He is. For He is altogether lovely and there is no imperfection in Him.

Beautiful in grace. Beautiful for His glory.