Song of Solomon 1:4
What does Song of Solomon 1:4 mean?
A plain-English look at Song of Solomon 1:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Song of Solomon 1:4 means
“Draw me; we will run after thee” captures her plea to be led into deeper fellowship, while the plural “we” likely includes companions who celebrate the union. “The king hath brought me into his chambers” presents an image of intimate acceptance and belonging. Joy overflows—gladness in him and delight in his love, again set above wine. “Rightly do they love thee” affirms that his character warrants devotion. The verse portrays love as both exclusive and communal: theirs alone to enjoy, yet publicly approved and rejoiced in by onlookers.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Draw me; we will run after thee: The king hath brought me into his chambers; We will be glad and rejoice in thee; We will make mention of thy love more than of wine: Rightly do they love thee.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Draw me; we will run after thee: The king hath brought me into his chambers; We will be glad and rejoice in thee; We will make mention of thy love more than of wine: Rightly do they love thee.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Take me to you, and we will go after you: the king has taken me into his house. We will be glad and full of joy in you, we will give more thought to your love than to wine: rightly are they your lovers.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Draw me: after thee we run, The king hath brought me into his inner chambers, We do joy and rejoice in thee, We mention thy loves more than wine, Uprightly they have loved thee!
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752I am black but beautiful, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Cedar, as the curtains of Solomon.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Draw me, we will run after thee! — The king hath brought me into his chambers — We will be glad and rejoice in thee, We will remember thy love more than wine. They love thee uprightly.
Context
This completes the opening movement from longing (verse 2) and admiration (verse 3) to welcomed intimacy. The royal imagery connects the beloved with the king, even as the poem will also use pastoral scenes. With the union celebrated, the woman turns in verses 5–6 to address concerns about her appearance and background, revealing vulnerability amid joy. That shift matters: love’s assurance will meet her insecurity, and the beloved’s response later will strengthen her sense of beauty and worth.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 119:32
I will run the way of thy commandments, When thou shalt enlarge my heart. ה HE.
- Psalms 63:5
My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; And my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips;
- 1 Corinthians 11:23
For I received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which he was betrayed took bread;
- John 6:44
No man can come to me, except the Father that sent me draw him: and I will raise him up in the last day.
- Ephesians 6:24
Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ witha loveincorruptible.
- Jeremiah 31:3
Jehovah appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.
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