Song of Solomon 4:3
Your lips are like a scarlet ribbon, and your mouth is lovely. Your brow behind your veil is like a slice of pomegranate.
Your lips are like a scarlet ribbon,

Scarlet conveyed beauty, richness, and celebration in the ancient world. Solomon praises the bride’s attractive speech as well as her appearance; lips reveal what fills the heart. Her words are fitting, gracious, and life-giving, reflecting the wisdom and kindness commended in Proverbs 31:26. Believers likewise are called to let their speech be gracious and truthful, honoring the Lord who spoke words of life.

Sng 5:13 His cheeks are like beds of spice, towers of perfume.…
Psa 45:2 You are the most handsome of men; grace has anointed…
Pro 15:7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge…

and your mouth is lovely.

The bride’s beauty includes the grace of her communication and the loveliness of her presence. Scripture teaches that words disclose the heart’s condition (Matthew 12:34), so this praise points beyond outward charm to inner purity and integrity. A godly mouth brings peace rather than contention, blessing rather than harm.

Sng 5:16 His mouth is most sweet; he is altogether lovely.…
Sng 7:9 and your mouth like the finest wine.…
Pro 16:24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul…

Your brow behind your veil is like a slice of pomegranate.

The visible color of her cheeks, partly concealed by the veil, resembles the rich red of a pomegranate. Pomegranates represented fruitfulness, abundance, and blessing, and their images adorned Solomon’s temple (1 Kings 7:18–20). Her veil preserves modesty while heightening the dignity and mystery of the bride. The image celebrates marital love and the fruitful blessing God intends for covenant union.

Sng 6:7 Your brow behind your veil is like a slice of pomegranate.
Gen 24:65 and asked the servant, “Who is that man in the field…
Exo 28:33-34 Make pomegranates of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn…

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Beloved
The speaker in this verse is Solomon, who is expressing his admiration for his bride, often referred to as the Shulammite woman. This is a poetic and romantic dialogue between the two lovers.

2. The Shulammite Woman
She is the recipient of Solomon's praise. Her beauty and purity are celebrated throughout the Song of Solomon.

3. Ancient Israel
The cultural and historical backdrop of the Song of Solomon, where marriage and romantic love are celebrated within the context of God's creation.
Teaching Points
The Beauty of Words
Just as Solomon admires the beauty of his bride's lips, we should recognize the power and beauty of our words. Words can build up and express love, reflecting the heart of God.

Inner Beauty and Purity
The reference to the temples behind the veil suggests a beauty that is both seen and hidden, emphasizing the importance of inner beauty and purity in relationships.

The Sanctity of Marriage
This verse, like the rest of the Song of Solomon, celebrates the sanctity and joy of marital love, encouraging believers to honor and cherish their spouses.

Symbolism in Scripture
Understanding the symbolic language in the Bible can deepen our appreciation of its messages. The imagery of scarlet and pomegranate can symbolize passion, life, and fruitfulness.

Christ's Love for the Church
The love expressed in Song of Solomon can be seen as a reflection of Christ's love for His Church, encouraging believers to respond with love and devotion.
Bible Study Questions
1. How can we use our words to build up and encourage others in our daily lives, reflecting the beauty of the "scarlet ribbon" mentioned in this verse?

2. In what ways can we cultivate inner beauty and purity, as symbolized by the "temples behind your veil"?

3. How does the celebration of marital love in Song of Solomon enhance our understanding of the sanctity of marriage in today's culture?

4. What are some practical ways we can honor and cherish our spouses, drawing inspiration from the admiration expressed in this verse?

5. How can the love between Solomon and the Shulammite woman help us understand and appreciate Christ's love for the Church?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Proverbs 31
The description of the virtuous woman in Proverbs 31 complements the admiration expressed in Song of Solomon, highlighting the value and beauty of a godly woman.

Ephesians 5
The relationship between Christ and the Church is often paralleled with the love between a husband and wife, as depicted in Song of Solomon.

Genesis 2
The creation of Eve and the establishment of marriage as a divine institution reflect the intimate and sacred nature of the relationship celebrated in Song of Solomon.
The Charm of True BeautyJ.R. Thomson Songs 4:1-5
What Christ Sees in Those Who Love HimS. Conway Songs 4:1-7
People
David, Solomon
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Behind, Bright, Cheeks, Comely, Fair, Form, Fruit, Halves, Lips, Locks, Lovely, Mouth, Open, Piece, Pomegranate, Red, Ribbon, Scarlet, Sides, Slice, Speech, Split, Temple, Temples, Thread, Veil, Within
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Songs 4:3

     4450   fruit
     4807   colours
     4808   crimson
     5164   lips
     5195   veil

Songs 4:1-7

     4486   myrrh

Songs 4:3-16

     5735   sexuality

Library
Song of Songs
The contents of this book justify the description of it in the title, i. 1, as the "loveliest song"--for that is the meaning of the Hebrew idiom "song of songs." It abounds in poetical gems of the purest ray. It breathes the bracing air of the hill country, and the passionate love of man for woman and woman for man. It is a revelation of the keen Hebrew delight in nature, in her vineyards and pastures, flowers and fruit trees, in her doves and deer and sheep and goats. It is a song tremulous from
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

Christ is to be Loved
"Yes, He is altogether lovely." Song of Songs 5:16. At the ninth verse of this chapter, you have a question put forth by the daughters of Jerusalem, "What is your beloved more than another beloved?" The spouse answers, "He is the chief among ten thousand." She then recounts many of the things she finds so excellent in her beloved and then concludes with these words that I have read: "Yes, he is altogether lovely." The words set forth the transcendent loveliness of the Lord Jesus Christ, and naturally
John Flavel—Christ Altogether Lovely

The Description of Christ the Beloved. Ss 5:9-16.
The description of Christ the beloved. SS 5:9-16. The wond'ring world inquires to know Why I should love my Jesus so: What are his charms," say they, "above The objects of a mortal love?" Yes! my Beloved, to my sight Shows a sweet mixture, red and white: All human beauties, all divine, In my Beloved meet and shine. White is his soul, from blemish free; Red with the blood he shed for me; The fairest of ten thousand fairs; A sun amongst ten thousand stars. [His head the finest gold excels; There
Isaac Watts—The Psalms and Hymns of Isaac Watts

What is Meant by "Altogether Lovely"
Let us consider this excellent expression, and particularly reflect on what is contained in it, and you shall find this expression "altogether lovely." First, It excludes all unloveliness and disagreeableness from Jesus Christ. As a theologian long ago said, "There is nothing in him which is not loveable." The excellencies of Jesus Christ are perfectly exclusive of all their opposites; there is nothing of a contrary property or quality found in him to contaminate or devaluate his excellency. And
John Flavel—Christ Altogether Lovely

Links
Song of Solomon 4:3 NIV
Song of Solomon 4:3 NLT
Song of Solomon 4:3 ESV
Song of Solomon 4:3 NASB
Song of Solomon 4:3 KJV

Song of Solomon 4:3 Commentaries

Bible Hub
Song of Solomon 4:2
Top of Page
Top of Page