Song of Solomon 7:9
What does Song of Solomon 7:9 mean?
A plain-English look at Song of Solomon 7:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Song of Solomon 7:9 means
He continues: her mouth is like the best wine—smooth, satisfying, and gliding down with ease. The picture captures both the sweetness of her kisses and the pleasure of their shared words. “Gliding through the lips of those that are asleep” suggests love’s ease and restfulness; intimacy is not strained but natural, even calming. The metaphor assures that what they share is of highest quality—no coarse flavor, but refined enjoyment. The beloved finds in her a goodness that both exhilarates and soothes, like a vintage that delights the palate and settles the soul.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And thy mouth like the best wine, That goeth down smoothly for my beloved, Gliding through the lips of those that are asleep.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And the roof of thy mouth like the best wine for my beloved, that goeth down sweetly, causing the lips of those that are asleep to speak.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And thy mouth like the best wine, That goeth down smoothly for my beloved, Gliding through the lips of those that are asleep.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And the roof of your mouth like good wine flowing down smoothly for my loved one, moving gently over my lips and my teeth.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And thy palate as the good wine--'Flowing to my beloved in uprightness, Strengthening the lips of the aged!
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Thy throat like the best wine, worthy for my beloved to drink, and for his lips and his teeth to ruminate.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And the roof of thy mouth like the best wine, ...That goeth down smoothly for my beloved, And stealeth over the lips of them that are asleep.
Context
This is the height of the man’s sensuous praise, rounding out the series of metaphors begun in verses 7–8. After this peak, the voice shifts to the woman in verse 10, where she affirms belonging and his desire for her. That transition is crucial: the Song presents not one-sided longing but reciprocal love. Reading verse 9 as the summit of the man’s imagery helps the reader appreciate the balance provided by the woman’s confident answer and invitation in the remaining verses.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Isaiah 62:8
Jehovah hath sworn by his right hand, and by the arm of his strength, Surely I will no more give thy grain to be food for thine enemies; and foreigners shall not drink thy new wine, for which thou hast labored:
- Romans 13:11
And this, knowing the season, that already it is time for you to awake out of sleep: for now is salvation nearer to us than when wefirstbelieved.
- Acts 2:46
And day by day, continuing stedfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart,
- Acts 4:31
And when they had prayed, the place was shaken wherein they were gathered together; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
- Song of Solomon 5:2
I was asleep, but my heart waked: It is the voice of my beloved that knocketh, saying, Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled; For my head is filled with dew, My locks with the drops of the night.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:13
But we would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning them that fall asleep; that ye sorrow not, even as the rest, who have no hope.
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