her soul

March 19, 2016

The missing lover (Song 5:6-5:7)

Female lover

“I opened to my beloved.

But my beloved had turned away.

He was gone.

My soul failed me

When he spoke.

I sought him.

But I did not find him.

I called him.

But he gave no answer.

Making their rounds in the city,

The sentinels found me.

They beat me.

They wounded me.

They took away my mantle.

These were the sentinels of the walls.”

This is a lot like chapter 3, where this female lover went searching in the streets to find her lover. Instead of her lover being at the door, he had left. Her soul was faint. Once again, like in chapter 3, she called for him, but her lover gave no answer. However, when she searched the city, the result here was more brutal. The sentinels or watchmen guards of the town, instead of helping her, beat her up, wounded her, and took her coat or mantle.

March 16, 2016

Lost lover (Song 3:1-3:3)

Female lover

“Upon my bed at night

I sought him

Whom my soul loves.

I sought him.

But I did not find him.

I called him.

But he gave no answer.

‘I will rise now.

I will go about the city,

In the streets,

In the squares.

I will seek him

Whom my soul loves.’

I sought him.

But I did not find him.

The sentinels found me,

As they went about in the city.

‘Have you seen him

Whom my soul loves?’”

It seems that the male lover has left the female lover. She is alone. Once again there is a repetition of verses. She seeks him whom her soul loves but cannot find. She called his name, but there was no answer. She decided to go out in the city at night into the streets and squares. Where was her lover? Finally, she met the sentinels or the night watchmen as they went about the city. She asked them if they had seen him.