Song of Solomon – Chapter 4

Old Testament16 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 4 of Song of Solomon begins: "How beautiful art thou, my love, how beautiful art thou! thy eyes are doves' eyes, besides what is hid within. Thy hair is as flocks of…" David stands at the center of this chapter. Across its 16 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and love and charity. Read slowly, this chapter rewards the kind of prayerful attention the Church calls lectio divina.

1How beautiful art thou, my love, how beautiful art thou! thy eyes are doves' eyes, besides what is hid within. Thy hair is as flocks of goats, which come up from mount Galaad.

2Thy teeth as flocks of sheep, that are shorn, which come up from the washing, all with twins, and there is none barren among them.

3Thy lips are as a scarlet lace: and thy speech sweet. Thy cheeks are as a piece of a pomegranate, besides that which lieth hid within.

4Thy neck, is as the tower of David, which is built with bulwarks: a thousand bucklers hang upon it, all the armour of valiant men.

5Thy two breasts like two young roes that are twins, which feed among the lilies.

6Till the day break, and the shadows retire, I will go to the mountain of myrrh, and to the hill of frankincense.

7Thou art all fair, O my love, and there is not a spot in thee.

8Come from Libanus, my spouse, come from Libanus, come: thou shalt be crowned from the top of Amana, from the top of Sanir and Hermon, from the dens of the lions, from the mountains of the leopards.

9Thou hast wounded my heart, my sister, my spouse, thou hast wounded my heart with one of thy eyes, and with one hair of thy neck.

10How beautiful are thy breasts, my sister, my spouse! thy breasts are more beautiful than wine, and the sweet smell of thy ointments above all aromatical spices.

11Thy lips, my spouse, are as a dropping honeycomb, honey and milk are under thy tongue; and the smell of thy garments, as the smell of frankincense.

12My sister, my spouse, is a garden enclosed, a garden enclosed, a fountain sealed up.

13Thy plants are a paradise of pomegranates with the fruits of the orchard. Cypress with spikenard.

14Spikenard and saffron, sweet cane and cinnamon, with all the trees of Libanus, myrrh and aloes with all the chief perfumes.

15The fountain of gardens: the well of living waters, which run with a strong stream from Libanus.

16Arise, O north wind, and come, O south wind, blow through my garden, and let the aromatical spices thereof flow.

Important Verses in Song of Solomon 4

How beautiful art thou, my love, how beautiful art thou! thy eyes are doves' eyes, besides what is hid within. Thy hair is as flocks of goats, which come up from mount Galaad.

Song of Solomon 4:1

Thy neck, is as the tower of David, which is built with bulwarks: a thousand bucklers hang upon it, all the armour of valiant men.

Song of Solomon 4:4

Thou art all fair, O my love, and there is not a spot in thee.

Song of Solomon 4:7

Arise, O north wind, and come, O south wind, blow through my garden, and let the aromatical spices thereof flow.

Song of Solomon 4:16

Historical Context

Song of Solomon addresses israel and the Church, invited into covenant intimacy with God within the broader story of God's covenant people. Chapter 4 of 8 stands in the central portion of the book, where decisive events or teachings take shape. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 16 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. David appear at the center of the events recorded here. The chapter begins: "How beautiful art thou, my love, how beautiful art thou! thy eyes are doves' eyes, besides what is hid within. Thy hair…" The final verse reads: "Arise, O north wind, and come, O south wind, blow through my garden, and let the aromatical spices thereof flow. " The wider setting of Song of Solomon is this: The Song of Songs is a poem of spousal love between bride and bridegroom. Catholic tradition dates the book to the period described in its introduction: 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

In this 16-verse narrative, the sacred author records events that advance the story of divine love expressed through spousal imagery. A pivotal line is verse 1: "How beautiful art thou, my love, how beautiful art thou! thy eyes are doves' eyes, besides what is hid within. Thy hair is as flocks of goats, which come up…" The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

Catholic exegesis reads Song of Solomon 4 within the unity of Scripture and Tradition. the Church sees this as an allegory of Christ's love for the Church (CIC 1602). St. Ambrose and other Fathers of the Church saw in texts like this a preparation for or reflection of Christ, the center of revelation (CIC 854).

Applied to the life of faith, the passage supports the Church's conviction that God's love is passionate and faithful. Whether read privately or heard in the liturgy, Song of Solomon 4 calls for a response of faith, repentance, and charity.

Main Teachings

  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • Love of God and love of neighbor sum up the whole law and reveal the very nature of God.
  • God's presence casts out fear; His command 'Be not afraid' echoes throughout salvation history.

People in This Chapter

David1 mention

Reflection for Today

As Catholics read Song of Solomon Chapter 4, we do so within the living Tradition that has guarded this text for two millennia.

The saints did not treat Scripture as antiquarian literature. St. Teresa of Avila, St. Francis de Sales, and countless others used passages such as this to fuel daily conversion. intercession for others remains a practical lesson for modern disciples.

Entrust your meditation to Mary, who pondered God's Word in her heart. Through her intercession, may the message of intercession for others bear fruit in humility, courage, and charity this day.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Song of Solomon Chapter 4 about?

Song of Solomon 4 contains 16 verses. It opens with "How beautiful art thou, my love, how beautiful art thou! thy eyes are doves' eyes, besides what is hid within. Thy hair…" and closes with "Arise, O north wind, and come, O south wind, blow through my garden, and let the aromatical spices thereof flow. ". The book as a whole is lyric love poetry.

What is a key verse in Song of Solomon 4?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "How beautiful art thou, my love, how beautiful art thou! thy eyes are doves' eyes, besides what is hid within. Thy hair is as flocks of goats, which come up from mount Galaad." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Song of Solomon Chapter 4?

This chapter mentions David.

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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