What is the meaning of Song of Solomon 5:16? His mouth is most sweet “His mouth is most sweet” puts the spotlight on the words, kisses, and very speech of the bridegroom. • In the immediate scene, the Shulammite celebrates how every word from Solomon delights her, echoing Songs 4:11, “Your lips drip sweetness like the honeycomb.” • Spiritually, believers hear Christ’s “gracious words” (Luke 4:22) and find them “sweeter than honey” (Psalm 119:103; Psalm 19:10). • Proverbs 16:24 reminds us that “pleasant words are a honeycomb,” and Psalm 34:8 invites us to “taste and see that the LORD is good.” Taken literally, the bride is enraptured by her husband’s mouth; typologically, we cherish the life-giving, promise-keeping words that proceed from Christ. he is altogether lovely “He is altogether lovely” declares a beauty without flaw or limit. • In the marriage poem, Solomon’s entire person—appearance, character, presence—is attractive (cf. Psalm 45:2, “You are the most handsome of men”). • Looking to Christ, every aspect of His being is perfect: “He is the radiance of God’s glory” (Hebrews 1:3) and “in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell” (Colossians 1:19). • Isaiah 33:17 promises, “Your eyes will see the King in His beauty,” and 1 Peter 2:7 affirms, “To you who believe, He is precious.” The phrase gathers up everything about the beloved and pronounces it entirely, comprehensively delightful. This is my beloved “This is my beloved” is the bride’s public affirmation of covenant love. • Earlier she said, “My beloved is mine and I am his” (Songs 2:16); now she repeats her settled claim before others. • The New Testament echoes this note of possession: “Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her” (Ephesians 5:25); nothing “will be able to separate us from the love of God” (Romans 8:35). • Galatians 2:20 makes it personal: “The Son of God… loved me and gave Himself for me.” By calling him “my beloved,” she treasures a relationship rooted in commitment, not passing emotion. and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem “And this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem” adds a layer of companionship to romantic love. • Marriage thrives when lovers are also friends—sharing life, laughter, counsel (cf. Proverbs 17:17). • Jesus says, “You are My friends if you do what I command… I have called you friends” (John 15:13-15). • Proverbs 18:24 speaks of “a friend who sticks closer than a brother,” and Moses enjoyed that intimacy with God in Exodus 33:11. By naming him friend, the bride invites the watching “daughters” to see the wholeness of their bond—passion and partnership united. summary Song of Solomon 5:16 is a joyous proclamation of the bride’s delight: every word from her husband is sweet, his whole person is lovely, he is her covenant beloved, and he is her trusted friend. In the larger sweep of Scripture, the verse foreshadows the surpassing beauty of Christ—whose words give life, whose character is flawless, whose love secures us, and whose friendship draws us near. |
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