Song of Solomon 3
1 All through the night [while I lay] on my bed, I longed for the one whom I love. I desired for him [to come], but he did not come.
Bride: On my bed, throughout the night, I sought him whom my soul loves. I sought him, and did not find him.
2 [So I said to myself], “I will get up now and walk around the city, through the streets and plazas, to search for the one whom I love.” [So] I [got up and] searched for him, but I could not find him.
I will rise up, and I will circle through the city. Through the side streets and thoroughfares, I will seek him whom my soul loves. I sought him, and did not find him.
3 The city watchmen saw me while they were patrolling/walking around the city. [I asked them], “Have you seen the one whom I love?”
The watchers who guard the city found me: “Have you seen him whom my soul loves?”
4 As soon as I walked past them, I found the one whom I love. I clung to him and would not let him go until I had brought him to my mother’s house, to the room where my mother had conceived me (OR, where I was born).
When I had passed by them a little, I found him whom my soul loves. I held him, and would not release him, until I would bring him into my mother’s house, and into the chamber of her who bore me.
5 You women of Jerusalem, solemnly promise me, while the does and gazelles [are listening], that you will not disturb us while we are making love until we are ready to quit.
Groom to Chorus: I bind you by oath, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the does and the stags of the open field, not to disturb or awaken the beloved, until she wills.
6 Who is it that is coming from the desert, who is [stirring up dust] like a column of smoke from burning myrrh and incense [made from] spices [imported by] merchants?
Chorus to Groom: Who is she, who ascends through the desert, like a staff of smoke from the aromatics of myrrh, and frankincense, and every powder of the perfumer?
7 It is [Solomon], [sitting in] his portable chair surrounded by 60 bodyguards chosen from the strongest/greatest warriors in Israel.
Chorus to Bride: Lo, sixty strong ones, out of all the strongest in Israel, stand watch at the bed of Solomon,
8 They all have swords and they [all] (are trained to/know well how to) use them. Each one has his sword [strapped to] his side and [is prepared to defend Solomon from] dangers that might occur even during the night.
all holding swords and well-trained in warfare, each one’s weapon upon his thigh, because of fears in the night.
9 King Solomon [commanded his servants] to make that portable chair for him; [it was made] with wood from Lebanon.
Bride to Chorus: King Solomon made himself a portable throne from the wood of Lebanon.
10 The [canopy that covered it] was (held up/supported) by posts made of silver, and the back of the chair was [embroidered] with gold. The seat/cushion was covered with purple cloth lovingly made/woven by the women of Jerusalem.
He made its columns of silver, the reclining place of gold, the ascent of purple; the middle he covered well, out of charity for the daughters of Jerusalem.
11 You women of Jerusalem, come and look at King Solomon wearing the headdress that his mother put on his head on the day when he was married, the day when he [SYN] was very happy.
O daughters of Zion, go forth and see king Solomon with the diadem with which his mother crowned him, on the day of his espousal, on the day of the rejoicing of his heart.
