Song of Solomon 3:1
What does Song of Solomon 3:1 mean?
A plain-English look at Song of Solomon 3:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Song of Solomon 3:1 means
The scene opens in the stillness of night, where the Shulamite lies awake, longing for the one her soul loves. Sleep will not come because her heart is restless in his absence. She searches for him even from her bed—an image of inner yearning and anxious desire. Twice she seeks and twice she fails to find him, and the repetition drives home the ache of separation. Love here is not casual or fleeting; it is consuming and personal. The verse honestly portrays seasons when beloved presence seems withdrawn, and longing, rather than satisfaction, fills the night. Yet the very longing testifies to the depth and sincerity of her love.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000By night on my bed I sought him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not.
KJV
King James Version · 1611By night on my bed I sought him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901By night on my bed I sought him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949By night on my bed I was looking for him who is the love of my soul: I was looking for him, but I did not see him.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862On my couch by night, I sought him whom my soul hath loved; I sought him, and I found him not!
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752In my bed by night I sought him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, and found him not.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890On my bed, in the nights, I sought him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not.
Context
Verse 1 begins the chapter’s first scene: an intimate, private search. It contrasts restful night with an agitated heart. This sets a tone of tension and desire that unfolds through verses 2–4, moving from internal restlessness to outward pursuit. The repetition “I sought…but I found him not” prepares the reader for persistence and eventual resolution. After the anxious beginning, the narrative will soon progress to active searching in the city (v. 2), an encounter with watchmen (v. 3), and a joyful finding and holding fast (v. 4), before a solemn refrain transitions to a new scene (v. 5).
v.1This passage
v.2I said, I will rise now, and go about the city; In the streets and in the broad ways I will seek him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Song of Solomon 5:6
I opened to my beloved; But my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone. My soul had failed me when he spake: I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer.
- Psalms 130:1
Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Jehovah.
- Luke 13:24
Strive to enter in by the narrow door: for many, I say unto you, shall seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
- Isaiah 26:9
With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee earnestly: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.
- Psalms 77:2
In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: My hand was stretched out in the night, and slacked not; My soul refused to be comforted.
- Song of Solomon 5:8
I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, If ye find my beloved, That ye tell him, that I am sick from love.
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