Day 151 of My 5th Bible Study Journey - 31 May 2025 reflections
Day 151, 31 May 2025
1) Song of Solomon
Songs 1
Introduction
1 The Song of Songs, which is Solomon's.
1 The song of songs, which is Solomon's.
The Woman
2 Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth!
For your love is better than wine.
3 Your anointing oils are fragrant,
your name is oil poured out;
therefore the virgins love you.
4 Draw me after you, let us run.
The king has brought me into his chambers.
2 Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth:
For thy love is better than wine.
3 Because of the savour of thy good ointments
Thy name is as ointment poured forth,
Therefore do the virgins love thee.
4 Draw me, we will run after thee:
The king hath brought me into his chambers:
Friends of the Woman
We will exult and rejoice in you;
we will remember your love more than wine;
rightly do they love you.
We will be glad and rejoice in thee,
We will remember thy love more than wine:
The upright love thee.
The Woman
5 I am dark, but still lovely, O daughters of Jerusalem,
like the tents of Kedar,
like the curtains of Solomon.
6 Do not gaze at me, because I am dark,
because the sun has looked upon me.
My mother's sons were angry with me;
they made me the keeper of the vineyards,
but my own vineyard I have not kept.
7 Tell me, you whom my soul loves,
where you pasture your flock,
where you make it lie down at noon;
for why should I be like one who veils herself
by the flocks of your companions?
5 I am black, but comely,
O ye daughters of Jerusalem,
As the tents of Kedar,
As the curtains of Solomon.
6 Look not upon me, because I am black,
Because the sun hath looked upon me:
My mother's children were angry with me;
They made me the keeper of the vineyards;
But mine own vineyard have I not kept.
7 Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth,
Where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon:
For why should I be as one that turneth aside
By the flocks of thy companions?
Friends of the Woman
8 If you do not know, O fairest among women,
follow in the tracks of the flock,
and pasture your young goats
beside the shepherds' tents.
8 If thou know not, O thou fairest among women,
Go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock,
And feed thy kids
Beside the shepherds' tents.
The Man
9 I compare you, my love, to a mare among Pharaoh's chariots.
10 Lovely are your cheeks with ornaments,
your neck with chains of gold.
Friends of the Woman
11We will make you ornaments of gold,
with studs of silver.
The Woman
12 While the king was on his couch,
my nard gave forth its fragrance.
13 My beloved is to me a bundle of myrrh
that lies all night between my breasts.
14 My beloved is to me a cluster of henna blossoms
in the vineyards of En Gedi.
The Man
15 How fair you are, my love.
How fair you are! Your eyes are doves.
9 I have compared thee, O my love,
To a company of horses in Pharaoh's chariots.
10 Thy cheeks are comely with rows of jewels,
Thy neck with chains of gold.
11 We will make thee borders of gold
With studs of silver.
12 While the King sitteth at his table,
My spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof.
13 A bundle of myrrh is my wellbeloved unto me;
He shall lie all night betwixt my breasts.
14 My beloved is unto me as a cluster of camphire
In the vineyards of Engedi.
15 Behold, thou art fair, my love;
Behold, thou art fair;
Thou hast doves' eyes.
The Woman
16 How fair you are, my beloved!
Yes, pleasant!
Our bed is verdant;
17 the beams of our house are cedar,
and our rafters of fir.
16 Behold, thou art fair, my beloved,
Yea, pleasant:
Also our bed is green.
17 The beams of our house are cedar,
And our rafters of fir.
Songs 2
1 (SS 5:13; Isa 35:1-2) I am the rose of Sharon,
the lily of the valleys.
1 I am the rose of Sharon,
And the lily of the valleys.
The Man
2 As a lily among thorns,
so is my love among the maidens.
2 As the lily among thorns,
So is my love among the daughters.
The Woman
3 (SS 8:5; Isa 25:4 ) As an apple tree among the trees of the forest,
so is my beloved among the young men.
In his shadow I sat with great delight,
and his fruit was sweet to my taste.
4 (SS 1:4) He brought me to the banquet house,
and his banner over me was love.
5 (SS 5:8; 2Sa 6:19) Sustain me with raisins,
r efresh me with apples;
for I am faint with love.
6 His left hand is under my head,
and his right hand embraces me.
7 (SS 3:5; 8:4; 1:5) I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem,
by the gazelles or the does of the field,
do not stir up or awaken love
until it pleases.
8 The voice of my beloved!
Look, he comes
leaping over the mountains,
bounding over the hills.
9 (SS 8:14; 2:17 ) My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag.
Look, he stands behind our wall, gazing through the windows,
looking through the lattice.
10 (SS 2:13) My beloved speaks and says to me:
"Rise up, my love,
my fair one, and come away.
11 For now the winter has past;
the rain is over and gone.
12 The flowers appear on the earth;
the time of singing has come,
and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.
13 (SS 2:10) The fig tree puts forth its green figs,
and the vines their blossoms;
and they give forth fragrance.
Rise up, my love, my beautiful one, and come away.
14 (SS 1:5; 8:13) O my dove, in the clefts of the rock,
in the secret places of the cliffs,
let me see your face,
let me hear your voice;
for your voice is sweet,
and your face is lovely.
15 (SS 2:13; 7:12) Catch the foxes for us,
the little foxes
that spoil the vineyards,
for our vineyards are in blossom."
16 (SS 6:3; 7:10; 4:5) My beloved is mine, and I am his;
he feeds his flock among the lilies.
17 (SS 4:6) Until the day breathes
and the shadows flee,
turn, my beloved,
be like a gazelle
or a young stag
on the cleft mountains. [Or mountains of Bether.]
3 As the apple tree among the trees of the wood,
So is my beloved among the sons.
I sat down under his shadow with great delight,
And his fruit was sweet to my taste.
4 He brought me to the banqueting house,
And his banner over me was love.
5 Stay me with flagons,
Comfort me with apples:
For I am sick of love.
6 His left hand is under my head,
And his right hand doth embrace me.
7 I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem,
By the roes, and by the hinds of the field,
That ye stir not up, nor awake my love,
Till he please.
8 The voice of my beloved!
Behold, he cometh
Leaping upon the mountains,
Skipping upon the hills.
9 My beloved is like a roe
Or a young hart:
Behold, he standeth
Behind our wall,
He looketh forth at the windows,
Shewing himself through the lattice.
10 My beloved spake, and said unto me,
Rise up, my love, my fair one,
And come away.
11 For, lo, the winter is past,
The rain is over and gone;
12 The flowers appear on the earth;
The time of the singing of birds is come,
And the voice of the turtle
Is heard in our land;
13 The fig tree putteth forth her green figs,
And the vines with the tender grape
Give a good smell.
Arise, my love, my fair one,
and come away.
14 O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock,
In the secret places of the stairs,
Let me see thy countenance,
Let me hear thy voice;
For sweet is thy voice,
And thy countenance is comely.
15 Take us the foxes,
The little foxes,
That spoil the vines:
For our vines have tender grapes.
16 My beloved is mine, and I am his:
He feedeth among the lilies.
17 Until the day break,
And the shadows flee away,
Turn, my beloved, and be thou like a roe or a young hart
Upon the mountains of Bether.
Songs 3
1 (SS 5:6; 1:)7On my bed by night I sought him
whom my soul loves;
I sought him, but found him not.
2 I will rise now and go about the city,
in the streets and in the squares;
I will seek him whom my soul loves.
I sought him, but found him not.
3 (SS 5:7; Isa 21:6-8) The watchmen found me,
as they went about the city.
"Have you seen him whom my soul loves?"
4 (Pr 4:13; 8:17) Scarcely had I passed them,
when I found him whom my soul loves.
I held him, and would not let him go
until I brought him to my mother's house,
and into the chamber of her who conceived me.
5 (SS 2:7; 8:4 ) I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem,
by the gazelles or does of the field,
do not stir up or awaken love
until it pleases.
6 (SS 8:5; 1:13) Who is that coming up from the wilderness,
like columns of smoke,
perfumed with myrrh and frankincense,
with all the fragrant powders of the merchant?
7 Look, it is the litter of Solomon!
Around it are sixty mighty men,
of the mighty men of Israel,
8 (Ps 45:3; 91:5) all of them holding swords
and expert in war,
each with his sword at his thigh,
because of terrors by night.
9 King Solomon made himself a palanquin
from the wood of Lebanon.
10 He made its posts of silver,
its back of gold,
its seat of purple;
its interior was inlaid with love
by the daughters of Jerusalem.
11 (Isa 62:5; 4:4) Go forth, O daughters of Zion,
and see King Solomon with the crown
with which his mother crowned him
on the day of his wedding,
on the day of the gladness of his heart.
1 By night on my bed I sought him whom my soul loveth:
I sought him, but I found him not.
2 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.
3 The watchmen that go about the city found me:
To whom I said,
Saw ye him whom my soul loveth?
4 It was but a little that I passed from them,
But I found him whom my soul loveth:
I held him, and would not let him go,
Until I had brought him into my mother's house,
And into the chamber of her that conceived me.
5 I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem,
By the roes, and by the hinds of the field,
That ye stir not up, nor awake my love,
Till he please.
6 Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness
Like pillars of smoke,
Perfumed with myrrh and frankincense,
With all powders of the merchant?
7 Behold his bed, which is Solomon's;
Threescore valiant men are about it,
Of the valiant of Israel.
8 They all hold swords,
Being expert in war:
Every man hath his sword upon his thigh
Because of fear in the night.
9 King Solomon made himself a chariot
Of the wood of Lebanon.
10 He made the pillars thereof of silver,
The bottom thereof of gold, the covering of it of purple,
The midst thereof being paved with love,
For the daughters of Jerusalem.
11 Go forth, O ye daughters of Zion,
And behold king Solomon
With the crown wherewith his mother crowned him
In the day of his espousals,
And in the day of the gladness of his heart.
Songs 4
The Man
1 (SS 1:15; 6:5; 6:7) How fair you are, my love!
How very fair!
Your eyes are doves behind your veil.
Your hair is like a flock of goats,
streaming down the hills of Gilead.
2 (SS 6:6) Your teeth are like a flock of shorn ewes
that have come up from the washing,
all of which bear twins,
and not one among them has lost its young.
3 (SS 6:7; Jos 2:18) Your lips are like a scarlet thread,
and your mouth is lovely.
Your cheeks are halves of a pomegranate
behind your veil.
4 (SS 7:4; Ne 3:19) Your neck is like the tower of David,
built in rows of stone;
on it hang a thousand shields,
all of them shields of mighty men.
5 (SS 2:16; 6:3) Your two breasts are like two fawns,
twins of a gazelle,
that feed among the lilies.
6 (SS 2:17; 4:14) Until the day breathes
and the shadows flee,
I will go away to the mountain of myrrh
and the hill of frankincense.
7 (SS 1:15) You are altogether fair, my love;
there is no flaw in you.
8 (Dt 3:9; 1Ch 5:23) Come with me from Lebanon, my bride;
come with me from Lebanon.
Depart from the peak of Amana,
from the peak of Senir and Hermon,
from the dens of lions,
from the mountains of leopards.
9 (SS 5:1-2; 4:10) You have ravished my heart, my sister, my bride;
you have ravished my heart
with one glance of your eyes,
with one jewel of your necklace.
10 (SS 1:2-4) How fair is your love, my sister, my bride!
How much better than wine is your love,
and the fragrance of your oils than any spice!
11 (Ge 27:27; SS 5:1) Your lips drip honey, my bride;
honey and milk are under your tongue;
and the fragrance of your garments is like the scent of Lebanon.
12 (Pr 5:15-18) A garden locked is my sister, my bride,
a fountain sealed.
13 (SS 1:14; Ecc 2:5) Your plants are an orchard of pomegranates
with all choicest fruits,
henna with nard,
14 (Ex 30:23; SS 4:6; 3:6) nard and saffron,
calamus and cinnamon,
with all trees of frankincense,
myrrh and aloes,
with all the chief spices"
15 (Jn 4:10; Jer 2:13) a garden fountain,
a well of living water,
and flowing streams from Lebanon.
1 Behold, thou art fair, my love;
Behold, thou art fair;
Thou hast doves' eyes
Within thy locks:
Thy hair is as a flock of goats,
That appear from mount Gilead.
2 Thy teeth are like a flock of sheep that are even shorn,
Which came up from the washing;
Whereof every one bear twins,
And none is barren among them.
3 Thy lips are like a thread of scarlet,
And thy speech is comely:
Thy temples are like a piece of a pomegranate
Within thy locks.
4 Thy neck is like the tower of David
Builded for an armoury,
Whereon there hang a thousand bucklers,
All shields of mighty men.
5 Thy two breasts are like two young roes
That are twins,
Which feed among the lilies.
6 Until the day break,
And the shadows flee away,
I will get me to the mountain of myrrh,
And to the hill of frankincense.
7 Thou art all fair, my love;
There is no spot in thee.
8 Come with me from Lebanon, my spouse,
With me from Lebanon:
Look from the top of Amana,
From the top of Shenir and Hermon,
From the lions' dens,
From the mountains of the leopards.
9 Thou hast ravished my heart, my sister, my spouse;
Thou hast ravished my heart with one of thine eyes,
With one chain of thy neck.
10 How fair is thy love, my sister, my spouse!
How much better is thy love than wine!
And the smell of thine ointments than all spices!
11 Thy lips, O my spouse, drop as the honeycomb:
Honey and milk are under thy tongue;
And the smell of thy garments is like the smell of Lebanon.
12 A garden inclosed is my sister, my spouse;
A spring shut up, a fountain sealed.
13 Thy plants are an orchard of pomegranates,
With pleasant fruits;
Camphire, with spikenard,
14 Spikenard and saffron;
Calamus and cinnamon,
With all trees of frankincense;
Myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices:
15 A fountain of gardens,
A well of living waters, and streams from Lebanon.
The Woman
16 (SS 5:1; 6:2) Awake, O north wind,
and come, O south wind!
Blow upon my garden,
that its spices may flow out.
Let my beloved come to his garden,
and eat its choicest fruits.
16 Awake, O north wind;
And come, thou south;
Blow upon my garden,
That the spices thereof may flow out.
Let my beloved come into his garden,
And eat his pleasant fruits.
Songs 5
The Man
1 (SS 6:2; 4:16) I come to my garden, my sister, my bride;
I gather my myrrh with my spice;
I eat my honeycomb with my honey;
I drink my wine with my milk.
1 I am come into my garden, my sister, my spouse:
I have gathered my myrrh with my spice;
I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey;
I have drunk my wine with my milk:
Friends of the Man
Eat, friends!
Drink, and be drunk with love!
Eat, O friends;
Drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved.
The Woman
2 (SS 6:9; 2:14) I slept, but my heart was awake.
A sound! My beloved is knocking. "Open to me, my sister, and my love,
my dove, my perfect one;
for my head is wet with dew,
my locks with the drops of the night."
3 (Lk 11:7) I had taken off my garment;
how could I put it on again?
I had bathed my feet;
how could I soil them?
4 My beloved put his hand by the latch,
and my heart yearned for him.
5 (SS 5:13) I rose up to open to my beloved,
and my hands dripped with myrrh,
my fingers with liquid myrrh
on the handles of the bolt.
6 (SS 5:2) I opened to my beloved,
but my beloved had turned and was gone.
My soul failed me when he spoke.
I sought him, but found him not;
I called him, but he gave no answer.
7 (SS 3:3) The watchmen found me
as they went about the city;
they struck me, they wounded me;
they took away my mantle,
those watchmen of the walls.
8 (SS 2:7; 2:5 ) I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem,
if you find my beloved,
that you tell him I am faint with love.
Friends of the Woman
9 (SS 1:8; 6:1) What is your beloved more than another beloved,
O fairest among women?
What is your beloved more than another beloved,
that you so charge us?
2 I sleep, but my heart waketh:
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,
And my locks with the drops of the night.
3 I have put off my coat;
How shall I put it on?
I have washed my feet;
How shall I defile them?
4 My beloved put in his hand by the hole of the door,
And my bowels were moved for him.
5 I rose up to open to my beloved;
And my hands dropped with myrrh,
And my fingers with sweet smelling myrrh,
Upon the handles of the lock.
6 I opened to my beloved;
But my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone:
My soul failed when he spake:
I sought him, but I could not find him;
I called him, but he gave me no answer.
7 The watchmen that went about the city found me,
They smote me, they wounded me;
The keepers of the walls took away my veil from me.
8 I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem,
If ye find my beloved,
That ye tell him,
that I am sick of love.
9 What is thy beloved more than another beloved,
O thou fairest among women?
What is thy beloved more than another beloved,
That thou dost so charge us?
The Woman
10 (Ps 45:2) My beloved is white and ruddy,
distinguished among ten thousand.
11 His head is the finest gold;
his locks are wavy,
black as a raven.
12 (SS 1:15; 4:1) His eyes are like doves
beside rivers of water,
bathed in milk,
fitly set.
13 (SS 1:10; 2:1) His cheeks are like beds of spices,
mounds of scented herbs.
His lips are lilies,
dripping liquid myrrh.
14 (Ex 24:10; Isa 54:11) His arms are rods of gold,
set with jewels.
His body is bright ivory,
inlaid with sapphires.
15 (1Ki 4:33) His legs are alabaster columns,
set on bases of gold.
His appearance is like Lebanon,
choice as the cedars.
16 (Ps 45:2; SS 7:9) His mouth is most sweet,
and he is altogether desirable.
This is my beloved and this is my friend,
O daughters of Jerusalem.
10 My beloved is white and ruddy,
The chiefest among ten thousand.
11 His head is as the most fine gold,
His locks are bushy,
And black as a raven.
12 His eyes are as the eyes of doves by the rivers of waters,
Washed with milk, and fitly set.
13 His cheeks are as a bed of spices, as sweet flowers:
His lips like lilies, dropping sweet smelling myrrh.
14 His hands are as gold rings set with the beryl:
His belly is as bright ivory overlaid with sapphires.
15 His legs are as pillars of marble, set upon sockets of fine gold:
His countenance is as Lebanon, excellent as the cedars.
16 His mouth is most sweet:
Yea, he is altogether lovely.
This is my beloved, and this is my friend,
O daughters of Jerusalem.
Songs 6
Friends of the Woman
1 (SS 1:8; 5:9) Where has your beloved gone,
O fairest among women?
Where has your beloved turned aside,
that we may seek him with you?
1 Whither is thy beloved gone,
O thou fairest among women?
Whither is thy beloved turned aside?
That we may seek him with thee.
The Woman
2 (SS 5:13) My beloved has gone down to his garden,
to the beds of spices,
to feed his flock in the gardens,
and to gather lilies.
3 (SS 2:16; 7:10) I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine;
he feeds his flock among the lilies.
2 My beloved is gone down into his garden,
To the beds of spices,
To feed in the gardens,
And to gather lilies.
3 I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine:
He feedeth among the lilies.
The Man
4 (SS 6:10; Ps 48:2; 1Ki 14:17) You are beautiful as Tirzah, my love,
comely as Jerusalem,
awesome as an army with banners!
5 Turn your eyes away from me,
for they overwhelm me!
Your hair is like a flock of goats
streaming down from Gilead.
6 (SS 4:2 ) your teeth are like a flock of ewes
that have come up from the washing;
all of them bear twins; not one among them has lost its young;
7 (SS 4:3) your cheeks are like halves
of a pomegranate behind your veil.
8 (Ps 45:14) There are sixty queens
and eighty concubines,
and virgins without number.
9 (SS 5:2; 2:14) My dove, my perfect one, is the only one,
the only one of her mother,
choice to her who bore her.
The maidens saw her and called her blessed;
the queens and concubines also, and they praised her.
10 (SS 6:4; Job 31:26) Who is this who looks forth like the dawn,
fair as the moon, radiant as the sun,
awesome as an army with banners?
11 (SS 7:12) I went down to the nut orchard
to look at the blossoms of the valley,
to see whether the vines had budded,
whether the pomegranates were in bloom.
12 Before I was aware, my soul set me in a chariot beside my prince.
4 Thou art beautiful, O my love, as Tirzah,
Comely as Jerusalem,
Terrible as an army with banners.
5 Turn away thine eyes from me,
For they have overcome me:
Thy hair is as a flock of goats
That appear from Gilead.
6 Thy teeth are as a flock of sheep
Which go up from the washing,
Whereof every one beareth twins,
And there is not one barren among them.
7 As a piece of a pomegranate are thy temples
Within thy locks.
8T here are threescore queens, and fourscore concubines,
And virgins without number.
9 My dove, my undefiled is but one;
She is the only one of her mother,
She is the choice one of her that bare her.
The daughters saw her, and blessed her;
Yea, the queens and the concubines, and they praised her.
10 Who is she that looketh forth as the morning,
Fair as the moon, clear as the sun,
And terrible as an army with banners?
11 I went down into the garden of nuts
To see the fruits of the valley,
And to see whether the vine flourished,
And the pomegranates budded.
12 Or ever I was aware,
My soul made me like the chariots of Amminadib.
Friends of the Woman
13 (Ge 32:2 ) Return, return, O Shulammite! [7:1 in the Heb. text.]
Return, return, that we may look upon you.
13 Return, return, O Shulamite;
Return, return, that we may look upon thee.
The Man
Why should you look upon the Shulammite,
as upon a dance before two armies?[Or dance of Mahanaim.]
What will ye see in the Shulamite?
As it were the company of two armies.
Songs 7
1 (Ps 45:13) How beautiful are your feet in sandals,
O prince's daughter!
The curves of your thighs are like jewels,
the work of a master hand.
2 Your navel is a round bowl
that never lacks mixed wine.
Your belly is a heap of wheat,
encircled with lilies.
3 (SS 4:5) Your two breasts are like two fawns,
twins of a gazelle.
4 (SS 4:4; Ps 144:12) Your neck is like an ivory tower,
your eyes pools in Heshbon,
by the gate of Bath Rabbim.
Your nose is like a tower of Lebanon,
overlooking Damascus.
5 (Isa 35:2; SS 4:1 ) Your head crowns like Carmel,
and your flowing hair is like purple;
a king is held captive in the tresses.
6 (SS 1:15-16; 4:10) How fair and pleasant you are,
O loved one, with all your delights!
7 (SS 4:5) Your stature is like a palm tree,
and your breasts are like its clusters.
8 I say I will climb the palm tree
and take hold of its branches.
Oh, may your breasts be like clusters of the vine,
and the scent of your breath like apples,
9 (SS 5:16) and your mouth like the best wine.
It goes down smoothly for my beloved,
gliding over lips and teeth.
Song of Solomon 7
1 How beautiful are thy feet with shoes,
O prince's daughter!
The joints of thy thighs are like jewels,
The work of the hands of a cunning workman.
2 Thy navel is like a round goblet,
Which wanteth not liquor:
Thy belly is like an heap of wheat
Set about with lilies.
3 Thy two breasts are like two young roes
That are twins.
4 Thy neck is as a tower of ivory;
Thine eyes like the fishpools in Heshbon,
By the gate of Bathrabbim:
Thy nose is as the tower of Lebanon
Which looketh toward Damascus.
5 Thine head upon thee is like Carmel,
And the hair of thine head like purple;
The king is held in the galleries.
6 How fair and how pleasant art thou,
O love, for delights!
7 This thy stature is like to a palm tree,
And thy breasts to clusters of grapes.
8 I said, I will go up to the palm tree,
I will take hold of the boughs thereof:
Now also thy breasts shall be as clusters of the vine,
And the smell of thy nose like apples;
9 And 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.
The Woman
10 (Ps 45:11; SS 2:16) I am my beloved's,
and his desire is for me.
11 (SS 4:8) Come, my beloved, let us go forth into the fields,
and lodge in the villages;
12 (SS 6:11 ) let us go out early to the vineyards,
and see whether the vines have budded,
whether the grape blossoms have opened
and the pomegranates are in bloom.
There I will give you my love.
13 (Ge 30:14; Mt 13:52 ) The mandrakes give forth fragrance,
and at our doors are all choice fruits,
new as well as old,
which I have laid up for you, my beloved.
10 I am my beloved's,
And his desire is toward me.
11 Come, my beloved,
Let us go forth into the field;
Let us lodge in the villages.
12 Let us get up early to the vineyards;
Let us see if the vine flourish,
Whether the tender grape appear,
And the pomegranates bud forth:
There will I give thee my loves.
13 The mandrakes give a smell,
And at our gates are all manner of pleasant fruits,
New and old,
Which I have laid up for thee, O my beloved.
Songs 8
1 Oh, that you were like a brother to me,
who nursed at my mother's breasts!
If I found you outside,
I would kiss you,
and no one would despise me.
2 (SS 3:4; Pr 9:2) I would lead you and bring you
into the house of my mother,
she who used to instruct me.
I would give you spiced wine to drink,
the juice of my pomegranates.
3 (SS 2:6) His left hand is under my head,
and his right arm embraces me!
4 (SS 2:7; 3:5) I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem,
do not stir up or awaken love
until it pleases.
1 O that thou wert as my brother,
That sucked the breasts of my mother!
When I should find thee without, I would kiss thee;
Yea, I should not be despised.
2 I would lead thee,
And bring thee into my mother's house,
Who would instruct me:
I would cause thee to drink of spiced wine
Of the juice of my pomegranate.
3 His left hand should be under my head,
And his right hand should embrace me.
4 I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem,
That ye stir not up, nor awake my love,
Until he please.
Friends of the Woman
5 (SS 3:6; 2:3) Who is that coming up from the wilderness,
leaning upon her beloved?
5 Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness,
Leaning upon her beloved?
The Woman
Under the apple tree I awakened you.
There your mother was in labor with you;
there she who bore you was in labor.
6 (Isa 49:16; Jer 22:24) Set me as a seal upon your heart,
as a seal upon your arm;
for love is strong as death,
passion fierce as the grave.
Its fires of desire are as ardent flames,
a most intense flame.
7 (Pr 6:35) Many waters cannot quench love,
neither can floods drown it.
If a man offered for love
all the wealth of his house,
it would be utterly condemned.
I raised thee up under the apple tree:
There thy mother brought thee forth:
There she brought thee forth that bare thee.
6 Set me as a seal upon thine heart,
As a seal upon thine arm:
For love is strong as death;
Jealousy is cruel as the grave:
The coals thereof are coals of fire,
Which hath a most vehement flame.
7 Many waters cannot quench love,
Neither can the floods drown it:
If a man would give all the substance of his house for love,
It would utterly be contemned.
Brothers of the Woman
8 We have a little sister,
and she has no breasts.
What will we do for our sister
on the day when she is spoken for?
9 If she is a wall,
we will build upon her a battlement of silver;
but if she is a door,
we will enclose her with boards of cedar.
8 We have a little sister,
And she hath no breasts:
What shall we do for our sister
In the day when she shall be spoken for?
9 If she be a wall,
We will build upon her a palace of silver:
And if she be a door,
We will inclose her with boards of cedar.
The Woman
10 (SS 4:5; Eze 16:7 ) I was a wall,
and my breasts were like towers;
then I was in his eyes
as one who finds peace.
11 (Ecc 2:4; Isa 7:23 ) Solomon had a vineyard at Baal Hamon;
he leased the vineyard to keepers;
each man was to bring for its fruit a thousand pieces of silver.
12 (SS 1:6) My vineyard, my very own, is before me;
you, O Solomon, may have the thousand,
and the keepers of the fruit two hundred.
10 I am a wall,
And my breasts like towers:
Then was I in his eyes
As one that found favour.
11 Solomon had a vineyard at Baalhamon;
He let out the vineyard unto keepers;
Every one for the fruit thereof was to bring a thousand pieces of silver.
12 My vineyard, which is mine, is before me:
Thou, O Solomon, must have a thousand,
And those that keep the fruit thereof two hundred.
The Man
13 (SS 1:7) O you who dwell in the gardens,
my companions listen for your voice;
let me hear it!
The Woman
14 (SS 2:17; 2:9) Make haste, my beloved,
and be like a gazelle or a young stag
on the mountains of spices!
13 Thou that dwellest in the gardens,
The companions hearken to thy voice:
Cause me to hear it.
14 Make haste, my beloved,
And be thou like to a roe
Or to a young hart
Upon the mountains of spices.
2) Our Daily Bread for 31 May 2025 Titled
God Knows Best
Isaiah 55:6-11
Warnings and Exhortations
The Invitation to the Waters
6 (Ps 32:6; Isa 45:19 ) Seek the Lord while He may be found,
call you upon Him while He is near.
7 (Isa 44:22; Pr 28:13) Let the wicked forsake his way,
and the unrighteous man his thoughts;
and let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him,
and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.
8 For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
nor are your ways My ways,
says the Lord.
9 (Ps 103:11) For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are My ways higher than your ways,
and My thoughts than your thoughts.
10 (Isa 30:23) For as the rain comes down,
and the snow from heaven,
and do not return there
but water the earth
and make it bring forth and bud
that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
11 (Isa 45:23; 46:10) so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
it shall not return to Me void,
but it shall accomplish that which I please,
and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
Isaiah 55
[6] Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
[7] Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts:
and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to
our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
[8] For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,
saith the LORD.
[9] For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than
your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
[10] For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth
not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that
it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
[11] So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not
return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it
shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
Anxious about a health issue my teenage niece had, I was relieved when I heard of a promising natural remedy. My sister, however, felt it might cause side effects, based on her daughter’s medical history. I wanted to argue but refrained. No matter how concerned I was about my niece, I had to defer to her mom’s authority.
Later, a doctor told us, “That natural remedy would’ve caused a strong allergic reaction.” When it comes to my niece’s welfare, her mom truly knows what’s best for her—in ways that I don’t.
I remember this incident when I’m anxious about other loved ones, asking God to help them the way I think they should be helped. I remember that God, who loves them and knows them far better than I do, knows best.
In Isaiah 55:9, God says, “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways.” The Hebrew word here for ways (derek) refers to the moral actions and behavior of God contrasted with that of wicked people. God’s wisdom and righteous ways are far above ours. What happens in a loved one’s life may not be what we want, but we can trust Him to work in their lives as He sees best.
Let’s keep entrusting those we love to God by presenting “[our] requests to God” (Philippians 4:6). He alone is perfect in love, mercy, wisdom, and sovereignty (Isaiah 55:3, 7-11).
By: Karen Huang
Reflect & Pray
What concerns do you have for a loved one?
How can you surrender your understanding
of the situation to God's wisdom?
Dear God, I entrust my loved ones into Your care.
You alone know what's best for them.
God's love can bring us through life's hardest moments.
Find out more by reading Cherish.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 1 Knowing God's Word Day 7 - The Cost of Wisdom
Proverbs 4:4,7
Proverbs 4
4 (Pr 7:2; Eph 6:4) He also taught me and said to me,
"Let your heart retain my words; keep my commandments, and live.
7 (Mt 13:44-46) Wisdom is principal; therefore get wisdom.
And with all your getting, get understanding. "
4 He taught me also, and said unto me,
Let thine heart retain my words:
Keep my commandments, and live.
7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom:
And with all thy getting get understanding.
Establishing priorities is a popular topic of conversation in our
generation. We carry appointment calendars and attend goal-setting
strategy seminars. We let machines answer our telephones so that
we won't miss any important messages, or so that we can screen calls
before we answer them. We order our lives so that we can "get ahead".
"Getting ahead" in God's kingdom, however, involves other priorities
than the ones we may set for ourselves. "Wisdom is supreme," the
principal thing, says Proverbs 4:7, "Get wisdom. Though it cost
all you have, get understanding."
Wisdom is defined as "an understanding of what is true, right, or lasting."
Biblical wisdom is not merely the accumulation of facts about God and his
teaching, but the application of those truths of life, taking on
the character of God as we mature in the image of Christ.
Such wisdom may, indeed, come at great cost. Jesus calls us to "lay
down our lives" to follow him - perhaps not literally to die, but to die
to self-centered priorities, to allow the Holy Spirit to establish
his value system in us.
"Keep my commandments and you will live," Proverbs 4:4 says. Real life -
rich, fulfilling, significant, abundant life - comes only through union
with God. The success offered by the world, the acclaim of others, material
prosperity and convenience cannot satisfy us once we have tasted
the joy of life with God in Christ.
Application
a) What does "getting wisdom" means to me?
b) What practical changes can I make in my life to help me focus
my attention on the priorities and values of the Lord?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Romans 13:7-8
7 (Mt 17:25; 22:21) Render to all what is due them: taxes to whom taxes
are due, respect to whom respect is due, fear to whom fear is due,
and honor to whom honour is due.
8 (Ro 13:10; Mt 7:12) Owe no one anything, except to love one another,
for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.
7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due;
custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth
another hath fulfilled the law.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Eternal Faithfulness
Ps 117
1 Praise the Lord, all you nations! Exalt Him, all you peoples!
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) For His merciful kindness is great toward us,
and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.
1 O praise the LORD, All ye nations: Praise him, all ye people.
2 For his merciful kindness is great toward us:
And the truth of the LORD endureth for ever.
Praise ye the LORD.
Remember God's promises when You pray
The Lord's prayer
9 "Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.
12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
9 After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2022 edition?)
Ontario
Quick facts on Muslims in Ontario
Ontario 2015 population 13 687 7000
est Muslim Population 1 001 542
CNMM Networks: Ottawa, Durham, York, Toronto, Mississauga, Halton, Hamilton,
Niagara, Kitchener, London, Windsor
Ontario has 55% of all of Canada's entire Muslim population. This means that
the whole of the Muslim world is represented somewhere in this province. Most
Muslims are understandably located along the southern border stretching
from Windsor eastward all the way up to Ottawa. Yet Muslims are constantly
resettling in more and more suburban and even small towns of Ontario. Mosques
are springing up, and where there are enough gathered, Islamic schools
are starting.
And they're not complacent, either. Many Islamic leaders are energetic in their
advancement of Islam in Canadian society. Recently in the Niagara Region,
the local mosque distributed via Canada Post as many as 50000 full-colour
brochures on Islam. An that mosque's Facebook page proudly show pictures of
"reverts", or white Canadians who have converted to Islam as a result of
receiving the flier and engaging with the mosque community. Another town
reports Muslims going door-to-door evangelism.
Agree in prayer for:
- net network leaders - the need is great
- the development of network leadership teams
- good connections with local pastors, congregations and individuals
whom God is calling into this ministry.
- wisdom facilitating outreach and training activities for mobilising
believers
- new full and part-time workers among Muslims throughout all these areas
- for pastors and churches to respond not in fear, but full of faith and love
towards Muslims, sharing Jesus with them.
Adding further
30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 24 April to 23 May 2020
Under the Keep Praying page
When the new moon is sighted it marks the beginning of t he new Islamic month
and Eid al-Fitr, the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", will start! After 30 days
of fasting, the Eid celebration at the end of Ramadan is a joyful time that
usually lasts about 3 days. Muslims will buy new clothes, exchange gifts and,
of course, enjoy special foods. In Muslim-majority nations, the streets may be
decorated and festivals will be held.
For many Muslims, Eid-al-Fitr begins with communal prayers at daybreak and the
distribution of money (zakat) to the poor, which is one of the 5 pillars of
Islam.
You can greet Muslim friends during this time by saying "Eid Mubarak",
which means Blessed Eid!"
Ramadan is over for this year, but you can continue to pray for Muslims you
know, and Muslims around the world:
- Despite the unsettling developments in our world today that involve actions
in the name of Islam, there is at the same time a largely untold story about
unprecedented movement to Christ among Muslims. There have been more such
movements of thousands or more new disciples among Muslims in the last three
decades or so than in all the previous history of Christian Muslim
relationships! Pray for this momentum to continue.
Acts 2:12-17 : 17 "In the last days it shall be," says God,
"that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.
18 Even on My menservants and maidservants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy.
19 And I will show wonders in heaven above and signs on the earth below:
blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke. 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness,
and the moon into blood, before that great and glorious day of the Lord comes.
21 And whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."[a]
Footnotes
Acts 2:21 Joel 2:28-32.
- Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have god's heart for
Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.
Matthew 5:14-15 : 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a
hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under
a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the
house."
Ideas for prayer
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
And
Thank you for praying through the
5 Days of Prayer for Sikhs.
"My name is Kam. I'm 29 years of age, and I grew up Sikh. As a teenager,
I struggled with depression, brokenness, and addiction to
cannabis. I didn't know how to stop or how to get help.
Then a friend invited me to church. As I spent time with Christians
and heard the message of the Gospel, I experienced the
love of Jesus Christ, and it was like nothing I'd known before.
One night I had a dream where I saw Him - a figure surrounded by
light who I knew was Jesus, the light of the world.
As I began to understand the gospel message, I encountered a reassuring and
confident solution to the problem of sin. I knew that I needed a solution
to my sin problem, and I gave my life to Christ.
Slowly, God began to heal my broken heart and my addiction.
Nine years have passed, and I am a devoted husband and a father
to two beautiful boys. I grow deeper in love with Jesus each day.
I ask you to continue praying with me, and others around the world, for Sikhs.
God is the only one who can draw people to Himself. He works in and through
the prayers of His people. I want Sikhs to know the freedom
and healing that is only available through Jesus Christ."
13 (Ro 14:17; 12:12) Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy
and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope,
through the power of the Holy Spirit.
[13] Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that
ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
ROMANS 15:13
My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, ...) .
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray that romance comes from the Lord.
Pray to the Lord: "Dear God, I entrust my loved ones into Your care.
You alone know what's best for them."
Pray to the Lord and pray to gain wisdom from Jesus Christ.
Pray to the Lord and pray not to owe anyone.
Pray to the Lord and pray to know the eternal truthes of the Lord.
Agree in prayer for Ontario:
- get network leaders - the need is great
- the development of network leadership teams
- good connections with local pastors, congregations and individuals
whom God is calling into this ministry.
- wisdom facilitating outreach and training activities for mobilising
believers
- new full and part-time workers among Muslims throughout all these areas
- for pastors and churches to respond not in fear, but full of faith and love
towards Muslims, sharing Jesus with them.
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
Pray that Bhutanes Christians will be effective witnesses for Christ although
they must meet secretly.
Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.
and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness
Remember eternity starts now -
Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God
1) Song of Solomon
Songs 1
Introduction
1 The Song of Songs, which is Solomon's.
1 The song of songs, which is Solomon's.
The Woman
2 Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth!
For your love is better than wine.
3 Your anointing oils are fragrant,
your name is oil poured out;
therefore the virgins love you.
4 Draw me after you, let us run.
The king has brought me into his chambers.
2 Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth:
For thy love is better than wine.
3 Because of the savour of thy good ointments
Thy name is as ointment poured forth,
Therefore do the virgins love thee.
4 Draw me, we will run after thee:
The king hath brought me into his chambers:
Friends of the Woman
We will exult and rejoice in you;
we will remember your love more than wine;
rightly do they love you.
We will be glad and rejoice in thee,
We will remember thy love more than wine:
The upright love thee.
The Woman
5 I am dark, but still lovely, O daughters of Jerusalem,
like the tents of Kedar,
like the curtains of Solomon.
6 Do not gaze at me, because I am dark,
because the sun has looked upon me.
My mother's sons were angry with me;
they made me the keeper of the vineyards,
but my own vineyard I have not kept.
7 Tell me, you whom my soul loves,
where you pasture your flock,
where you make it lie down at noon;
for why should I be like one who veils herself
by the flocks of your companions?
5 I am black, but comely,
O ye daughters of Jerusalem,
As the tents of Kedar,
As the curtains of Solomon.
6 Look not upon me, because I am black,
Because the sun hath looked upon me:
My mother's children were angry with me;
They made me the keeper of the vineyards;
But mine own vineyard have I not kept.
7 Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth,
Where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon:
For why should I be as one that turneth aside
By the flocks of thy companions?
Friends of the Woman
8 If you do not know, O fairest among women,
follow in the tracks of the flock,
and pasture your young goats
beside the shepherds' tents.
8 If thou know not, O thou fairest among women,
Go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock,
And feed thy kids
Beside the shepherds' tents.
The Man
9 I compare you, my love, to a mare among Pharaoh's chariots.
10 Lovely are your cheeks with ornaments,
your neck with chains of gold.
Friends of the Woman
11We will make you ornaments of gold,
with studs of silver.
The Woman
12 While the king was on his couch,
my nard gave forth its fragrance.
13 My beloved is to me a bundle of myrrh
that lies all night between my breasts.
14 My beloved is to me a cluster of henna blossoms
in the vineyards of En Gedi.
The Man
15 How fair you are, my love.
How fair you are! Your eyes are doves.
9 I have compared thee, O my love,
To a company of horses in Pharaoh's chariots.
10 Thy cheeks are comely with rows of jewels,
Thy neck with chains of gold.
11 We will make thee borders of gold
With studs of silver.
12 While the King sitteth at his table,
My spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof.
13 A bundle of myrrh is my wellbeloved unto me;
He shall lie all night betwixt my breasts.
14 My beloved is unto me as a cluster of camphire
In the vineyards of Engedi.
15 Behold, thou art fair, my love;
Behold, thou art fair;
Thou hast doves' eyes.
The Woman
16 How fair you are, my beloved!
Yes, pleasant!
Our bed is verdant;
17 the beams of our house are cedar,
and our rafters of fir.
16 Behold, thou art fair, my beloved,
Yea, pleasant:
Also our bed is green.
17 The beams of our house are cedar,
And our rafters of fir.
Songs 2
1 (SS 5:13; Isa 35:1-2) I am the rose of Sharon,
the lily of the valleys.
1 I am the rose of Sharon,
And the lily of the valleys.
The Man
2 As a lily among thorns,
so is my love among the maidens.
2 As the lily among thorns,
So is my love among the daughters.
The Woman
3 (SS 8:5; Isa 25:4 ) As an apple tree among the trees of the forest,
so is my beloved among the young men.
In his shadow I sat with great delight,
and his fruit was sweet to my taste.
4 (SS 1:4) He brought me to the banquet house,
and his banner over me was love.
5 (SS 5:8; 2Sa 6:19) Sustain me with raisins,
r efresh me with apples;
for I am faint with love.
6 His left hand is under my head,
and his right hand embraces me.
7 (SS 3:5; 8:4; 1:5) I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem,
by the gazelles or the does of the field,
do not stir up or awaken love
until it pleases.
8 The voice of my beloved!
Look, he comes
leaping over the mountains,
bounding over the hills.
9 (SS 8:14; 2:17 ) My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag.
Look, he stands behind our wall, gazing through the windows,
looking through the lattice.
10 (SS 2:13) My beloved speaks and says to me:
"Rise up, my love,
my fair one, and come away.
11 For now the winter has past;
the rain is over and gone.
12 The flowers appear on the earth;
the time of singing has come,
and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.
13 (SS 2:10) The fig tree puts forth its green figs,
and the vines their blossoms;
and they give forth fragrance.
Rise up, my love, my beautiful one, and come away.
14 (SS 1:5; 8:13) O my dove, in the clefts of the rock,
in the secret places of the cliffs,
let me see your face,
let me hear your voice;
for your voice is sweet,
and your face is lovely.
15 (SS 2:13; 7:12) Catch the foxes for us,
the little foxes
that spoil the vineyards,
for our vineyards are in blossom."
16 (SS 6:3; 7:10; 4:5) My beloved is mine, and I am his;
he feeds his flock among the lilies.
17 (SS 4:6) Until the day breathes
and the shadows flee,
turn, my beloved,
be like a gazelle
or a young stag
on the cleft mountains. [Or mountains of Bether.]
3 As the apple tree among the trees of the wood,
So is my beloved among the sons.
I sat down under his shadow with great delight,
And his fruit was sweet to my taste.
4 He brought me to the banqueting house,
And his banner over me was love.
5 Stay me with flagons,
Comfort me with apples:
For I am sick of love.
6 His left hand is under my head,
And his right hand doth embrace me.
7 I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem,
By the roes, and by the hinds of the field,
That ye stir not up, nor awake my love,
Till he please.
8 The voice of my beloved!
Behold, he cometh
Leaping upon the mountains,
Skipping upon the hills.
9 My beloved is like a roe
Or a young hart:
Behold, he standeth
Behind our wall,
He looketh forth at the windows,
Shewing himself through the lattice.
10 My beloved spake, and said unto me,
Rise up, my love, my fair one,
And come away.
11 For, lo, the winter is past,
The rain is over and gone;
12 The flowers appear on the earth;
The time of the singing of birds is come,
And the voice of the turtle
Is heard in our land;
13 The fig tree putteth forth her green figs,
And the vines with the tender grape
Give a good smell.
Arise, my love, my fair one,
and come away.
14 O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock,
In the secret places of the stairs,
Let me see thy countenance,
Let me hear thy voice;
For sweet is thy voice,
And thy countenance is comely.
15 Take us the foxes,
The little foxes,
That spoil the vines:
For our vines have tender grapes.
16 My beloved is mine, and I am his:
He feedeth among the lilies.
17 Until the day break,
And the shadows flee away,
Turn, my beloved, and be thou like a roe or a young hart
Upon the mountains of Bether.
Songs 3
1 (SS 5:6; 1:)7On my bed by night I sought him
whom my soul loves;
I sought him, but found him not.
2 I will rise now and go about the city,
in the streets and in the squares;
I will seek him whom my soul loves.
I sought him, but found him not.
3 (SS 5:7; Isa 21:6-8) The watchmen found me,
as they went about the city.
"Have you seen him whom my soul loves?"
4 (Pr 4:13; 8:17) Scarcely had I passed them,
when I found him whom my soul loves.
I held him, and would not let him go
until I brought him to my mother's house,
and into the chamber of her who conceived me.
5 (SS 2:7; 8:4 ) I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem,
by the gazelles or does of the field,
do not stir up or awaken love
until it pleases.
6 (SS 8:5; 1:13) Who is that coming up from the wilderness,
like columns of smoke,
perfumed with myrrh and frankincense,
with all the fragrant powders of the merchant?
7 Look, it is the litter of Solomon!
Around it are sixty mighty men,
of the mighty men of Israel,
8 (Ps 45:3; 91:5) all of them holding swords
and expert in war,
each with his sword at his thigh,
because of terrors by night.
9 King Solomon made himself a palanquin
from the wood of Lebanon.
10 He made its posts of silver,
its back of gold,
its seat of purple;
its interior was inlaid with love
by the daughters of Jerusalem.
11 (Isa 62:5; 4:4) Go forth, O daughters of Zion,
and see King Solomon with the crown
with which his mother crowned him
on the day of his wedding,
on the day of the gladness of his heart.
1 By night on my bed I sought him whom my soul loveth:
I sought him, but I found him not.
2 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.
3 The watchmen that go about the city found me:
To whom I said,
Saw ye him whom my soul loveth?
4 It was but a little that I passed from them,
But I found him whom my soul loveth:
I held him, and would not let him go,
Until I had brought him into my mother's house,
And into the chamber of her that conceived me.
5 I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem,
By the roes, and by the hinds of the field,
That ye stir not up, nor awake my love,
Till he please.
6 Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness
Like pillars of smoke,
Perfumed with myrrh and frankincense,
With all powders of the merchant?
7 Behold his bed, which is Solomon's;
Threescore valiant men are about it,
Of the valiant of Israel.
8 They all hold swords,
Being expert in war:
Every man hath his sword upon his thigh
Because of fear in the night.
9 King Solomon made himself a chariot
Of the wood of Lebanon.
10 He made the pillars thereof of silver,
The bottom thereof of gold, the covering of it of purple,
The midst thereof being paved with love,
For the daughters of Jerusalem.
11 Go forth, O ye daughters of Zion,
And behold king Solomon
With the crown wherewith his mother crowned him
In the day of his espousals,
And in the day of the gladness of his heart.
Songs 4
The Man
1 (SS 1:15; 6:5; 6:7) How fair you are, my love!
How very fair!
Your eyes are doves behind your veil.
Your hair is like a flock of goats,
streaming down the hills of Gilead.
2 (SS 6:6) Your teeth are like a flock of shorn ewes
that have come up from the washing,
all of which bear twins,
and not one among them has lost its young.
3 (SS 6:7; Jos 2:18) Your lips are like a scarlet thread,
and your mouth is lovely.
Your cheeks are halves of a pomegranate
behind your veil.
4 (SS 7:4; Ne 3:19) Your neck is like the tower of David,
built in rows of stone;
on it hang a thousand shields,
all of them shields of mighty men.
5 (SS 2:16; 6:3) Your two breasts are like two fawns,
twins of a gazelle,
that feed among the lilies.
6 (SS 2:17; 4:14) Until the day breathes
and the shadows flee,
I will go away to the mountain of myrrh
and the hill of frankincense.
7 (SS 1:15) You are altogether fair, my love;
there is no flaw in you.
8 (Dt 3:9; 1Ch 5:23) Come with me from Lebanon, my bride;
come with me from Lebanon.
Depart from the peak of Amana,
from the peak of Senir and Hermon,
from the dens of lions,
from the mountains of leopards.
9 (SS 5:1-2; 4:10) You have ravished my heart, my sister, my bride;
you have ravished my heart
with one glance of your eyes,
with one jewel of your necklace.
10 (SS 1:2-4) How fair is your love, my sister, my bride!
How much better than wine is your love,
and the fragrance of your oils than any spice!
11 (Ge 27:27; SS 5:1) Your lips drip honey, my bride;
honey and milk are under your tongue;
and the fragrance of your garments is like the scent of Lebanon.
12 (Pr 5:15-18) A garden locked is my sister, my bride,
a fountain sealed.
13 (SS 1:14; Ecc 2:5) Your plants are an orchard of pomegranates
with all choicest fruits,
henna with nard,
14 (Ex 30:23; SS 4:6; 3:6) nard and saffron,
calamus and cinnamon,
with all trees of frankincense,
myrrh and aloes,
with all the chief spices"
15 (Jn 4:10; Jer 2:13) a garden fountain,
a well of living water,
and flowing streams from Lebanon.
1 Behold, thou art fair, my love;
Behold, thou art fair;
Thou hast doves' eyes
Within thy locks:
Thy hair is as a flock of goats,
That appear from mount Gilead.
2 Thy teeth are like a flock of sheep that are even shorn,
Which came up from the washing;
Whereof every one bear twins,
And none is barren among them.
3 Thy lips are like a thread of scarlet,
And thy speech is comely:
Thy temples are like a piece of a pomegranate
Within thy locks.
4 Thy neck is like the tower of David
Builded for an armoury,
Whereon there hang a thousand bucklers,
All shields of mighty men.
5 Thy two breasts are like two young roes
That are twins,
Which feed among the lilies.
6 Until the day break,
And the shadows flee away,
I will get me to the mountain of myrrh,
And to the hill of frankincense.
7 Thou art all fair, my love;
There is no spot in thee.
8 Come with me from Lebanon, my spouse,
With me from Lebanon:
Look from the top of Amana,
From the top of Shenir and Hermon,
From the lions' dens,
From the mountains of the leopards.
9 Thou hast ravished my heart, my sister, my spouse;
Thou hast ravished my heart with one of thine eyes,
With one chain of thy neck.
10 How fair is thy love, my sister, my spouse!
How much better is thy love than wine!
And the smell of thine ointments than all spices!
11 Thy lips, O my spouse, drop as the honeycomb:
Honey and milk are under thy tongue;
And the smell of thy garments is like the smell of Lebanon.
12 A garden inclosed is my sister, my spouse;
A spring shut up, a fountain sealed.
13 Thy plants are an orchard of pomegranates,
With pleasant fruits;
Camphire, with spikenard,
14 Spikenard and saffron;
Calamus and cinnamon,
With all trees of frankincense;
Myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices:
15 A fountain of gardens,
A well of living waters, and streams from Lebanon.
The Woman
16 (SS 5:1; 6:2) Awake, O north wind,
and come, O south wind!
Blow upon my garden,
that its spices may flow out.
Let my beloved come to his garden,
and eat its choicest fruits.
16 Awake, O north wind;
And come, thou south;
Blow upon my garden,
That the spices thereof may flow out.
Let my beloved come into his garden,
And eat his pleasant fruits.
Songs 5
The Man
1 (SS 6:2; 4:16) I come to my garden, my sister, my bride;
I gather my myrrh with my spice;
I eat my honeycomb with my honey;
I drink my wine with my milk.
1 I am come into my garden, my sister, my spouse:
I have gathered my myrrh with my spice;
I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey;
I have drunk my wine with my milk:
Friends of the Man
Eat, friends!
Drink, and be drunk with love!
Eat, O friends;
Drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved.
The Woman
2 (SS 6:9; 2:14) I slept, but my heart was awake.
A sound! My beloved is knocking. "Open to me, my sister, and my love,
my dove, my perfect one;
for my head is wet with dew,
my locks with the drops of the night."
3 (Lk 11:7) I had taken off my garment;
how could I put it on again?
I had bathed my feet;
how could I soil them?
4 My beloved put his hand by the latch,
and my heart yearned for him.
5 (SS 5:13) I rose up to open to my beloved,
and my hands dripped with myrrh,
my fingers with liquid myrrh
on the handles of the bolt.
6 (SS 5:2) I opened to my beloved,
but my beloved had turned and was gone.
My soul failed me when he spoke.
I sought him, but found him not;
I called him, but he gave no answer.
7 (SS 3:3) The watchmen found me
as they went about the city;
they struck me, they wounded me;
they took away my mantle,
those watchmen of the walls.
8 (SS 2:7; 2:5 ) I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem,
if you find my beloved,
that you tell him I am faint with love.
Friends of the Woman
9 (SS 1:8; 6:1) What is your beloved more than another beloved,
O fairest among women?
What is your beloved more than another beloved,
that you so charge us?
2 I sleep, but my heart waketh:
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,
And my locks with the drops of the night.
3 I have put off my coat;
How shall I put it on?
I have washed my feet;
How shall I defile them?
4 My beloved put in his hand by the hole of the door,
And my bowels were moved for him.
5 I rose up to open to my beloved;
And my hands dropped with myrrh,
And my fingers with sweet smelling myrrh,
Upon the handles of the lock.
6 I opened to my beloved;
But my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone:
My soul failed when he spake:
I sought him, but I could not find him;
I called him, but he gave me no answer.
7 The watchmen that went about the city found me,
They smote me, they wounded me;
The keepers of the walls took away my veil from me.
8 I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem,
If ye find my beloved,
That ye tell him,
that I am sick of love.
9 What is thy beloved more than another beloved,
O thou fairest among women?
What is thy beloved more than another beloved,
That thou dost so charge us?
The Woman
10 (Ps 45:2) My beloved is white and ruddy,
distinguished among ten thousand.
11 His head is the finest gold;
his locks are wavy,
black as a raven.
12 (SS 1:15; 4:1) His eyes are like doves
beside rivers of water,
bathed in milk,
fitly set.
13 (SS 1:10; 2:1) His cheeks are like beds of spices,
mounds of scented herbs.
His lips are lilies,
dripping liquid myrrh.
14 (Ex 24:10; Isa 54:11) His arms are rods of gold,
set with jewels.
His body is bright ivory,
inlaid with sapphires.
15 (1Ki 4:33) His legs are alabaster columns,
set on bases of gold.
His appearance is like Lebanon,
choice as the cedars.
16 (Ps 45:2; SS 7:9) His mouth is most sweet,
and he is altogether desirable.
This is my beloved and this is my friend,
O daughters of Jerusalem.
10 My beloved is white and ruddy,
The chiefest among ten thousand.
11 His head is as the most fine gold,
His locks are bushy,
And black as a raven.
12 His eyes are as the eyes of doves by the rivers of waters,
Washed with milk, and fitly set.
13 His cheeks are as a bed of spices, as sweet flowers:
His lips like lilies, dropping sweet smelling myrrh.
14 His hands are as gold rings set with the beryl:
His belly is as bright ivory overlaid with sapphires.
15 His legs are as pillars of marble, set upon sockets of fine gold:
His countenance is as Lebanon, excellent as the cedars.
16 His mouth is most sweet:
Yea, he is altogether lovely.
This is my beloved, and this is my friend,
O daughters of Jerusalem.
Songs 6
Friends of the Woman
1 (SS 1:8; 5:9) Where has your beloved gone,
O fairest among women?
Where has your beloved turned aside,
that we may seek him with you?
1 Whither is thy beloved gone,
O thou fairest among women?
Whither is thy beloved turned aside?
That we may seek him with thee.
The Woman
2 (SS 5:13) My beloved has gone down to his garden,
to the beds of spices,
to feed his flock in the gardens,
and to gather lilies.
3 (SS 2:16; 7:10) I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine;
he feeds his flock among the lilies.
2 My beloved is gone down into his garden,
To the beds of spices,
To feed in the gardens,
And to gather lilies.
3 I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine:
He feedeth among the lilies.
The Man
4 (SS 6:10; Ps 48:2; 1Ki 14:17) You are beautiful as Tirzah, my love,
comely as Jerusalem,
awesome as an army with banners!
5 Turn your eyes away from me,
for they overwhelm me!
Your hair is like a flock of goats
streaming down from Gilead.
6 (SS 4:2 ) your teeth are like a flock of ewes
that have come up from the washing;
all of them bear twins; not one among them has lost its young;
7 (SS 4:3) your cheeks are like halves
of a pomegranate behind your veil.
8 (Ps 45:14) There are sixty queens
and eighty concubines,
and virgins without number.
9 (SS 5:2; 2:14) My dove, my perfect one, is the only one,
the only one of her mother,
choice to her who bore her.
The maidens saw her and called her blessed;
the queens and concubines also, and they praised her.
10 (SS 6:4; Job 31:26) Who is this who looks forth like the dawn,
fair as the moon, radiant as the sun,
awesome as an army with banners?
11 (SS 7:12) I went down to the nut orchard
to look at the blossoms of the valley,
to see whether the vines had budded,
whether the pomegranates were in bloom.
12 Before I was aware, my soul set me in a chariot beside my prince.
4 Thou art beautiful, O my love, as Tirzah,
Comely as Jerusalem,
Terrible as an army with banners.
5 Turn away thine eyes from me,
For they have overcome me:
Thy hair is as a flock of goats
That appear from Gilead.
6 Thy teeth are as a flock of sheep
Which go up from the washing,
Whereof every one beareth twins,
And there is not one barren among them.
7 As a piece of a pomegranate are thy temples
Within thy locks.
8T here are threescore queens, and fourscore concubines,
And virgins without number.
9 My dove, my undefiled is but one;
She is the only one of her mother,
She is the choice one of her that bare her.
The daughters saw her, and blessed her;
Yea, the queens and the concubines, and they praised her.
10 Who is she that looketh forth as the morning,
Fair as the moon, clear as the sun,
And terrible as an army with banners?
11 I went down into the garden of nuts
To see the fruits of the valley,
And to see whether the vine flourished,
And the pomegranates budded.
12 Or ever I was aware,
My soul made me like the chariots of Amminadib.
Friends of the Woman
13 (Ge 32:2 ) Return, return, O Shulammite! [7:1 in the Heb. text.]
Return, return, that we may look upon you.
13 Return, return, O Shulamite;
Return, return, that we may look upon thee.
The Man
Why should you look upon the Shulammite,
as upon a dance before two armies?[Or dance of Mahanaim.]
What will ye see in the Shulamite?
As it were the company of two armies.
Songs 7
1 (Ps 45:13) How beautiful are your feet in sandals,
O prince's daughter!
The curves of your thighs are like jewels,
the work of a master hand.
2 Your navel is a round bowl
that never lacks mixed wine.
Your belly is a heap of wheat,
encircled with lilies.
3 (SS 4:5) Your two breasts are like two fawns,
twins of a gazelle.
4 (SS 4:4; Ps 144:12) Your neck is like an ivory tower,
your eyes pools in Heshbon,
by the gate of Bath Rabbim.
Your nose is like a tower of Lebanon,
overlooking Damascus.
5 (Isa 35:2; SS 4:1 ) Your head crowns like Carmel,
and your flowing hair is like purple;
a king is held captive in the tresses.
6 (SS 1:15-16; 4:10) How fair and pleasant you are,
O loved one, with all your delights!
7 (SS 4:5) Your stature is like a palm tree,
and your breasts are like its clusters.
8 I say I will climb the palm tree
and take hold of its branches.
Oh, may your breasts be like clusters of the vine,
and the scent of your breath like apples,
9 (SS 5:16) and your mouth like the best wine.
It goes down smoothly for my beloved,
gliding over lips and teeth.
Song of Solomon 7
1 How beautiful are thy feet with shoes,
O prince's daughter!
The joints of thy thighs are like jewels,
The work of the hands of a cunning workman.
2 Thy navel is like a round goblet,
Which wanteth not liquor:
Thy belly is like an heap of wheat
Set about with lilies.
3 Thy two breasts are like two young roes
That are twins.
4 Thy neck is as a tower of ivory;
Thine eyes like the fishpools in Heshbon,
By the gate of Bathrabbim:
Thy nose is as the tower of Lebanon
Which looketh toward Damascus.
5 Thine head upon thee is like Carmel,
And the hair of thine head like purple;
The king is held in the galleries.
6 How fair and how pleasant art thou,
O love, for delights!
7 This thy stature is like to a palm tree,
And thy breasts to clusters of grapes.
8 I said, I will go up to the palm tree,
I will take hold of the boughs thereof:
Now also thy breasts shall be as clusters of the vine,
And the smell of thy nose like apples;
9 And 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.
The Woman
10 (Ps 45:11; SS 2:16) I am my beloved's,
and his desire is for me.
11 (SS 4:8) Come, my beloved, let us go forth into the fields,
and lodge in the villages;
12 (SS 6:11 ) let us go out early to the vineyards,
and see whether the vines have budded,
whether the grape blossoms have opened
and the pomegranates are in bloom.
There I will give you my love.
13 (Ge 30:14; Mt 13:52 ) The mandrakes give forth fragrance,
and at our doors are all choice fruits,
new as well as old,
which I have laid up for you, my beloved.
10 I am my beloved's,
And his desire is toward me.
11 Come, my beloved,
Let us go forth into the field;
Let us lodge in the villages.
12 Let us get up early to the vineyards;
Let us see if the vine flourish,
Whether the tender grape appear,
And the pomegranates bud forth:
There will I give thee my loves.
13 The mandrakes give a smell,
And at our gates are all manner of pleasant fruits,
New and old,
Which I have laid up for thee, O my beloved.
Songs 8
1 Oh, that you were like a brother to me,
who nursed at my mother's breasts!
If I found you outside,
I would kiss you,
and no one would despise me.
2 (SS 3:4; Pr 9:2) I would lead you and bring you
into the house of my mother,
she who used to instruct me.
I would give you spiced wine to drink,
the juice of my pomegranates.
3 (SS 2:6) His left hand is under my head,
and his right arm embraces me!
4 (SS 2:7; 3:5) I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem,
do not stir up or awaken love
until it pleases.
1 O that thou wert as my brother,
That sucked the breasts of my mother!
When I should find thee without, I would kiss thee;
Yea, I should not be despised.
2 I would lead thee,
And bring thee into my mother's house,
Who would instruct me:
I would cause thee to drink of spiced wine
Of the juice of my pomegranate.
3 His left hand should be under my head,
And his right hand should embrace me.
4 I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem,
That ye stir not up, nor awake my love,
Until he please.
Friends of the Woman
5 (SS 3:6; 2:3) Who is that coming up from the wilderness,
leaning upon her beloved?
5 Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness,
Leaning upon her beloved?
The Woman
Under the apple tree I awakened you.
There your mother was in labor with you;
there she who bore you was in labor.
6 (Isa 49:16; Jer 22:24) Set me as a seal upon your heart,
as a seal upon your arm;
for love is strong as death,
passion fierce as the grave.
Its fires of desire are as ardent flames,
a most intense flame.
7 (Pr 6:35) Many waters cannot quench love,
neither can floods drown it.
If a man offered for love
all the wealth of his house,
it would be utterly condemned.
I raised thee up under the apple tree:
There thy mother brought thee forth:
There she brought thee forth that bare thee.
6 Set me as a seal upon thine heart,
As a seal upon thine arm:
For love is strong as death;
Jealousy is cruel as the grave:
The coals thereof are coals of fire,
Which hath a most vehement flame.
7 Many waters cannot quench love,
Neither can the floods drown it:
If a man would give all the substance of his house for love,
It would utterly be contemned.
Brothers of the Woman
8 We have a little sister,
and she has no breasts.
What will we do for our sister
on the day when she is spoken for?
9 If she is a wall,
we will build upon her a battlement of silver;
but if she is a door,
we will enclose her with boards of cedar.
8 We have a little sister,
And she hath no breasts:
What shall we do for our sister
In the day when she shall be spoken for?
9 If she be a wall,
We will build upon her a palace of silver:
And if she be a door,
We will inclose her with boards of cedar.
The Woman
10 (SS 4:5; Eze 16:7 ) I was a wall,
and my breasts were like towers;
then I was in his eyes
as one who finds peace.
11 (Ecc 2:4; Isa 7:23 ) Solomon had a vineyard at Baal Hamon;
he leased the vineyard to keepers;
each man was to bring for its fruit a thousand pieces of silver.
12 (SS 1:6) My vineyard, my very own, is before me;
you, O Solomon, may have the thousand,
and the keepers of the fruit two hundred.
10 I am a wall,
And my breasts like towers:
Then was I in his eyes
As one that found favour.
11 Solomon had a vineyard at Baalhamon;
He let out the vineyard unto keepers;
Every one for the fruit thereof was to bring a thousand pieces of silver.
12 My vineyard, which is mine, is before me:
Thou, O Solomon, must have a thousand,
And those that keep the fruit thereof two hundred.
The Man
13 (SS 1:7) O you who dwell in the gardens,
my companions listen for your voice;
let me hear it!
The Woman
14 (SS 2:17; 2:9) Make haste, my beloved,
and be like a gazelle or a young stag
on the mountains of spices!
13 Thou that dwellest in the gardens,
The companions hearken to thy voice:
Cause me to hear it.
14 Make haste, my beloved,
And be thou like to a roe
Or to a young hart
Upon the mountains of spices.
2) Our Daily Bread for 31 May 2025 Titled
God Knows Best
Isaiah 55:6-11
Warnings and Exhortations
The Invitation to the Waters
6 (Ps 32:6; Isa 45:19 ) Seek the Lord while He may be found,
call you upon Him while He is near.
7 (Isa 44:22; Pr 28:13) Let the wicked forsake his way,
and the unrighteous man his thoughts;
and let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him,
and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.
8 For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
nor are your ways My ways,
says the Lord.
9 (Ps 103:11) For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are My ways higher than your ways,
and My thoughts than your thoughts.
10 (Isa 30:23) For as the rain comes down,
and the snow from heaven,
and do not return there
but water the earth
and make it bring forth and bud
that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
11 (Isa 45:23; 46:10) so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
it shall not return to Me void,
but it shall accomplish that which I please,
and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
Isaiah 55
[6] Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
[7] Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts:
and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to
our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
[8] For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,
saith the LORD.
[9] For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than
your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
[10] For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth
not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that
it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
[11] So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not
return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it
shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
Anxious about a health issue my teenage niece had, I was relieved when I heard of a promising natural remedy. My sister, however, felt it might cause side effects, based on her daughter’s medical history. I wanted to argue but refrained. No matter how concerned I was about my niece, I had to defer to her mom’s authority.
Later, a doctor told us, “That natural remedy would’ve caused a strong allergic reaction.” When it comes to my niece’s welfare, her mom truly knows what’s best for her—in ways that I don’t.
I remember this incident when I’m anxious about other loved ones, asking God to help them the way I think they should be helped. I remember that God, who loves them and knows them far better than I do, knows best.
In Isaiah 55:9, God says, “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways.” The Hebrew word here for ways (derek) refers to the moral actions and behavior of God contrasted with that of wicked people. God’s wisdom and righteous ways are far above ours. What happens in a loved one’s life may not be what we want, but we can trust Him to work in their lives as He sees best.
Let’s keep entrusting those we love to God by presenting “[our] requests to God” (Philippians 4:6). He alone is perfect in love, mercy, wisdom, and sovereignty (Isaiah 55:3, 7-11).
By: Karen Huang
Reflect & Pray
What concerns do you have for a loved one?
How can you surrender your understanding
of the situation to God's wisdom?
Dear God, I entrust my loved ones into Your care.
You alone know what's best for them.
God's love can bring us through life's hardest moments.
Find out more by reading Cherish.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 1 Knowing God's Word Day 7 - The Cost of Wisdom
Proverbs 4:4,7
Proverbs 4
4 (Pr 7:2; Eph 6:4) He also taught me and said to me,
"Let your heart retain my words; keep my commandments, and live.
7 (Mt 13:44-46) Wisdom is principal; therefore get wisdom.
And with all your getting, get understanding. "
4 He taught me also, and said unto me,
Let thine heart retain my words:
Keep my commandments, and live.
7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom:
And with all thy getting get understanding.
Establishing priorities is a popular topic of conversation in our
generation. We carry appointment calendars and attend goal-setting
strategy seminars. We let machines answer our telephones so that
we won't miss any important messages, or so that we can screen calls
before we answer them. We order our lives so that we can "get ahead".
"Getting ahead" in God's kingdom, however, involves other priorities
than the ones we may set for ourselves. "Wisdom is supreme," the
principal thing, says Proverbs 4:7, "Get wisdom. Though it cost
all you have, get understanding."
Wisdom is defined as "an understanding of what is true, right, or lasting."
Biblical wisdom is not merely the accumulation of facts about God and his
teaching, but the application of those truths of life, taking on
the character of God as we mature in the image of Christ.
Such wisdom may, indeed, come at great cost. Jesus calls us to "lay
down our lives" to follow him - perhaps not literally to die, but to die
to self-centered priorities, to allow the Holy Spirit to establish
his value system in us.
"Keep my commandments and you will live," Proverbs 4:4 says. Real life -
rich, fulfilling, significant, abundant life - comes only through union
with God. The success offered by the world, the acclaim of others, material
prosperity and convenience cannot satisfy us once we have tasted
the joy of life with God in Christ.
Application
a) What does "getting wisdom" means to me?
b) What practical changes can I make in my life to help me focus
my attention on the priorities and values of the Lord?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Romans 13:7-8
7 (Mt 17:25; 22:21) Render to all what is due them: taxes to whom taxes
are due, respect to whom respect is due, fear to whom fear is due,
and honor to whom honour is due.
8 (Ro 13:10; Mt 7:12) Owe no one anything, except to love one another,
for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.
7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due;
custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth
another hath fulfilled the law.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Eternal Faithfulness
Ps 117
1 Praise the Lord, all you nations! Exalt Him, all you peoples!
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) For His merciful kindness is great toward us,
and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.
1 O praise the LORD, All ye nations: Praise him, all ye people.
2 For his merciful kindness is great toward us:
And the truth of the LORD endureth for ever.
Praise ye the LORD.
Remember God's promises when You pray
The Lord's prayer
9 "Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.
12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
9 After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2022 edition?)
Ontario
Quick facts on Muslims in Ontario
Ontario 2015 population 13 687 7000
est Muslim Population 1 001 542
CNMM Networks: Ottawa, Durham, York, Toronto, Mississauga, Halton, Hamilton,
Niagara, Kitchener, London, Windsor
Ontario has 55% of all of Canada's entire Muslim population. This means that
the whole of the Muslim world is represented somewhere in this province. Most
Muslims are understandably located along the southern border stretching
from Windsor eastward all the way up to Ottawa. Yet Muslims are constantly
resettling in more and more suburban and even small towns of Ontario. Mosques
are springing up, and where there are enough gathered, Islamic schools
are starting.
And they're not complacent, either. Many Islamic leaders are energetic in their
advancement of Islam in Canadian society. Recently in the Niagara Region,
the local mosque distributed via Canada Post as many as 50000 full-colour
brochures on Islam. An that mosque's Facebook page proudly show pictures of
"reverts", or white Canadians who have converted to Islam as a result of
receiving the flier and engaging with the mosque community. Another town
reports Muslims going door-to-door evangelism.
Agree in prayer for:
- net network leaders - the need is great
- the development of network leadership teams
- good connections with local pastors, congregations and individuals
whom God is calling into this ministry.
- wisdom facilitating outreach and training activities for mobilising
believers
- new full and part-time workers among Muslims throughout all these areas
- for pastors and churches to respond not in fear, but full of faith and love
towards Muslims, sharing Jesus with them.
Adding further
30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 24 April to 23 May 2020
Under the Keep Praying page
When the new moon is sighted it marks the beginning of t he new Islamic month
and Eid al-Fitr, the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", will start! After 30 days
of fasting, the Eid celebration at the end of Ramadan is a joyful time that
usually lasts about 3 days. Muslims will buy new clothes, exchange gifts and,
of course, enjoy special foods. In Muslim-majority nations, the streets may be
decorated and festivals will be held.
For many Muslims, Eid-al-Fitr begins with communal prayers at daybreak and the
distribution of money (zakat) to the poor, which is one of the 5 pillars of
Islam.
You can greet Muslim friends during this time by saying "Eid Mubarak",
which means Blessed Eid!"
Ramadan is over for this year, but you can continue to pray for Muslims you
know, and Muslims around the world:
- Despite the unsettling developments in our world today that involve actions
in the name of Islam, there is at the same time a largely untold story about
unprecedented movement to Christ among Muslims. There have been more such
movements of thousands or more new disciples among Muslims in the last three
decades or so than in all the previous history of Christian Muslim
relationships! Pray for this momentum to continue.
Acts 2:12-17 : 17 "In the last days it shall be," says God,
"that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.
18 Even on My menservants and maidservants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy.
19 And I will show wonders in heaven above and signs on the earth below:
blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke. 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness,
and the moon into blood, before that great and glorious day of the Lord comes.
21 And whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."[a]
Footnotes
Acts 2:21 Joel 2:28-32.
- Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have god's heart for
Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.
Matthew 5:14-15 : 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a
hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under
a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the
house."
Ideas for prayer
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
And
Thank you for praying through the
5 Days of Prayer for Sikhs.
"My name is Kam. I'm 29 years of age, and I grew up Sikh. As a teenager,
I struggled with depression, brokenness, and addiction to
cannabis. I didn't know how to stop or how to get help.
Then a friend invited me to church. As I spent time with Christians
and heard the message of the Gospel, I experienced the
love of Jesus Christ, and it was like nothing I'd known before.
One night I had a dream where I saw Him - a figure surrounded by
light who I knew was Jesus, the light of the world.
As I began to understand the gospel message, I encountered a reassuring and
confident solution to the problem of sin. I knew that I needed a solution
to my sin problem, and I gave my life to Christ.
Slowly, God began to heal my broken heart and my addiction.
Nine years have passed, and I am a devoted husband and a father
to two beautiful boys. I grow deeper in love with Jesus each day.
I ask you to continue praying with me, and others around the world, for Sikhs.
God is the only one who can draw people to Himself. He works in and through
the prayers of His people. I want Sikhs to know the freedom
and healing that is only available through Jesus Christ."
13 (Ro 14:17; 12:12) Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy
and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope,
through the power of the Holy Spirit.
[13] Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that
ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
ROMANS 15:13
My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, ...) .
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray that romance comes from the Lord.
Pray to the Lord: "Dear God, I entrust my loved ones into Your care.
You alone know what's best for them."
Pray to the Lord and pray to gain wisdom from Jesus Christ.
Pray to the Lord and pray not to owe anyone.
Pray to the Lord and pray to know the eternal truthes of the Lord.
Agree in prayer for Ontario:
- get network leaders - the need is great
- the development of network leadership teams
- good connections with local pastors, congregations and individuals
whom God is calling into this ministry.
- wisdom facilitating outreach and training activities for mobilising
believers
- new full and part-time workers among Muslims throughout all these areas
- for pastors and churches to respond not in fear, but full of faith and love
towards Muslims, sharing Jesus with them.
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
Pray that Bhutanes Christians will be effective witnesses for Christ although
they must meet secretly.
Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.
and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness
Remember eternity starts now -
Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God
.