Tag: Words Matter in Love - Song of Songs 1-2

Song of Songs 2:14

O my dove, in the clefts of the rock,

in the crannies of the cliff,

let me see your face,

let me hear your voice,

for your voice is sweet,

and your face is lovely.

Tag:  Words Matter in Love

The book of Song of Songs (or, Song of Solomon) is a love story about Solomon and his bride to be.   This is a conversation between the two that the reader is invited to enter.  Or, it is a collection of notes being passed back and forth in class between a junior high boy and girl.    

This book teaches us about the power of the words we share with each other.   Solomon, throughout the book, describes his bride in a variety of ways.  Ways we might not understand in today’s words.  Take this for example:

Song of Songs 1:9

I compare you, my love,

to a mare among Pharaoh's chariots.

Comparing your love to a “mare” would it go well in today’s world.  But, the point Solomon makes is that his woman has struck him deeply and the way he chooses to win her over or express his love for her is through words.  Words matter in love.  They must always have follow through, but her language of love is important for Solomon to say.  She needs to hear pleasant things said to her (with follow through).  The follow through is key, but the words are as well.  He tells her in the above verse that when he hears her voice it is “sweet’ and when he sees her face it is “lovely.”  We have no idea if that is true.  But, it is true to him.  And, more importantly it is true to for her.  Saying what is in your heart as it is stirred by the love of your life is just as important as acts of love.   Expressing love through words is exactly what Jesus did in the Gospels.   He said He loves us even though we are sinners.  He expressed it and then followed through by dying on the cross.  His actions were the key, but His words created the pathway so that the actions had context and meaning.   Without Him saying I love you and I am going to die for you, simply dying for us has not meaning.  In love, we ought to learn to express our love for that person who excites us.   Follow through is only important if you create the right context through your words.