Song of Solomon – Chapter 1

Old Testament16 Verses

Chapter Summary

"Let him kiss me with the kiss of his mouth: for thy breasts are better than wine," — so begins Song of Solomon 1. The chapter centers on Solomon and Pharaoh. Across its 16 verses, two threads run through the text: love and charity and family and covenant relationships. The Church invites us to read this chapter within the whole sweep of salvation history, where every page points toward Christ.

1Let him kiss me with the kiss of his mouth: for thy breasts are better than wine,

2Smelling sweet of the best ointments. Thy name is as oil poured out: therefore young maidens have loved thee.

3Draw me: we will run after thee to the odour of thy ointments. The king hath brought me into his storerooms: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, remembering thy breasts more than wine: the rightous love thee.

4I am black but beautiful, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Cedar, as the curtains of Solomon.

5Do not consider me that I am brown, because the sun hath altered my colour: the sons of my mother have fought against me, they have made me the keeper in the vineyards: my vineyard I have not kept.

6Shew me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou liest in the midday, lest I begin to wander after the flocks of thy companions.

7If thou know not thyself, O fairest among women, go forth, and follow after the steps of the flocks, and feed thy kids beside the tents of the shepherds.

8To my company of horsemen, in Pharao's chariots, have I likened thee, O my love.

9Thy cheeks are beautiful as the turtledove's, thy neck as jewels.

10We will make thee chains of gold, inlaid with silver.

11While the king was at his repose, my spikenard sent forth the odour thereof.

12A bundle of myrrh is my beloved to me, he shall abide between my breasts.

13A cluster of cypress my love is to me, in the vineyards of Engaddi.

14Behold thou are fair, O my love, behold thou are fair, thy eyes are as those of doves.

15Behold thou art fair, my beloved, and comely. Our bed is flourishing.

16The beams of our houses are of cedar, our rafters of cypress trees.

Important Verses in Song of Solomon 1

Let him kiss me with the kiss of his mouth: for thy breasts are better than wine,

Song of Solomon 1:1

Shew me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou liest in the midday, lest I begin to wander after the flocks of thy companions.

Song of Solomon 1:6

A bundle of myrrh is my beloved to me, he shall abide between my breasts.

Song of Solomon 1:12

Behold thou art fair, my beloved, and comely. Our bed is flourishing.

Song of Solomon 1:15

Historical Context

Song of Solomon belongs to the Old Testament and was composed for israel and the Church, invited into covenant intimacy with God. Chapter 1 of 8 opens the book and sets the stage for everything that follows. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 16 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The chapter focuses on Solomon and Pharaoh, whose actions and words drive the passage forward. The passage starts with these words: "Let him kiss me with the kiss of his mouth: for thy breasts are better than wine," The chapter ends with: "The beams of our houses are of cedar, our rafters of cypress trees. " In terms of historical background, The Song of Songs is a poem of spousal love between bride and bridegroom. The book's material reflects the era summarized as follows: Traditionally linked to Solomon (10th century BC); final form possibly after the exile.

Who Wrote It

Attributed to Solomon

When It Was Written

Traditionally linked to Solomon (10th century BC); final form possibly after the exile

Catholic Commentary

Read at the narrative level, this chapter describes real persons, decisions, and consequences within divine love expressed through spousal imagery. A pivotal line is verse 1: "Let him kiss me with the kiss of his mouth: for thy breasts are better than wine," The passage repeatedly touches on love and charity.

According to Catholic interpretation, this chapter contributes to the book's portrait of divine love expressed through spousal imagery. the Church sees this as an allegory of Christ's love for the Church (CIC 1602). The Catechism and the liturgy frequently draw on such passages to nourish faith and moral life (CIC 302).

For Christians today, the chapter's lesson is clear: Love of God and love of neighbor sum up the whole law and reveal the very nature of God.. The Church invites us to receive this word not as antiquarian information but as living Scripture proclaimed at Mass and prayed in lectio divina.

Main Teachings

  • Love of God and love of neighbor sum up the whole law and reveal the very nature of God.
  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • God's kingdom is not of this world; every earthly throne stands under His eternal reign.

People in This Chapter

Solomon1 mentionPharaoh1 mention

Reflection for Today

Song of Solomon Chapter 1 belongs to the Old Testament and forms part of the Catholic canon proclaimed in the liturgy of the Word.

Through typology, the Church often reads Old Testament passages as preparing for Christ, while New Testament passages reveal Him explicitly. the Church sees this as an allegory of Christ's love for the Church (CIC 1602). Here the believer is invited to ponder poverty of spirit and detachment.

Consider praying with this chapter again at day's end, offering God gratitude for one insight received. The Church encourages daily contact with Scripture (CIC 1965) so that Christ's mind may be formed in us.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Song of Solomon Chapter 1 about?

Song of Solomon 1 contains 16 verses. It opens with "Let him kiss me with the kiss of his mouth: for thy breasts are better than wine," and closes with "The beams of our houses are of cedar, our rafters of cypress trees. ". The book as a whole is lyric love poetry.

What is a key verse in Song of Solomon 1?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "Let him kiss me with the kiss of his mouth: for thy breasts are better than wine," It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Song of Solomon Chapter 1?

This chapter mentions Solomon, Pharaoh.

Who wrote Song of Solomon and when?

Attributed to Solomon. Traditionally linked to Solomon (10th century BC); final form possibly after the exile.

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