Song of Solomon 5:13
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It's easy to get lost in the beautiful imagery, but notice how it's not just about seeing the beloved, but experiencing him. The spices and herbs aren't just sights; they're aromas, and his lips aren't just visually described as lilies, but as dripping, suggesting a tangible, sweet taste and scent. This passage emphasizes the fullness of sensory experience, not just visual appeal, in this deep affection.
His cheeks are like beds of spices, mounds of sweet-smelling herbs. His lips are lilies, dripping liquid myrrh.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The bride has just been excitedly awakened by her beloved at her window, but in her eagerness to open the door, she has let him slip away. Now, she’s searching for him throughout the city, asking the watchmen if they’ve seen him, and this verse is part of her description of his unmatched beauty as she longs to find him again. Her longing and distress continue as she describes his physical allure, highlighting the deep desire she feels for his return after their brief separation.
This isn't just a physical description; it's an invitation to experience the Beloved through your senses. What does that mean for how we perceive God?
The lover describes the Beloved not just visually, but through scent and even taste. "Beds of spices" and "mounds of sweet-smelling herbs" evoke a rich, complex aroma. This is more than just pleasantness; it suggests abundance and a deep, natural fragrance emanating from him.
Similarly, his lips "dripping liquid myrrh" point to a potent, even medicinal or precious substance. Myrrh was valuable, used in incense and anointing oils, and known for its distinct, strong scent and taste.
This language invites us to move beyond a distant, intellectual understanding of God and to seek a full sensory engagement with His presence, just as we engage with someone we deeply love.
His lips aren't just beautiful; they 'drip liquid myrrh.' What does this potent imagery reveal about the power of his communication?
The description of the Beloved's lips as "lilies, dripping liquid myrrh" is incredibly rich. Lilies can symbolize purity and beauty, while myrrh, as we've seen, is precious and potent.
When his lips are described as dripping this substance, it suggests that his words are not merely spoken, but are imbued with a profound, life-giving, and perhaps even healing quality. Like myrrh, his words are valuable, sacred, and possess a unique power.
This calls us to pay attention to the way we speak and to recognize the inherent value and potential impact of our own words, especially when we speak truth and love inspired by God.
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Understand the original words
mor · Hebrew Noun
A fragrant, costly resin derived from trees; it was used in holy anointing oil, perfumes, and burial preparations, symbolizing beauty, honor, and sacrificial love.
This passage describes the beloved's desire for her lover, echoing the theme of intense, almost overwhelming attraction and the sweetness of their presence.
Psalm 45:8This royal psalm compares the king's garments to fragrances like myrrh and aloes, highlighting the association of precious scents with royalty and divine favor, mirroring the rich imagery used for the beloved.
John 19:39Nicodemus brings a mixture of myrrh and aloes to anoint Jesus' body, connecting the scent of myrrh to reverence, burial, and a costly offering, which resonates with the preciousness implied in the Song of Solomon.
Proverbs 27:9This verse states that the pleasantness of a friend comes from his heartfelt counsel, and similarly, the Song of Solomon uses sensory details like spices and myrrh to convey the deep pleasure and spiritual richness of the beloved's presence.
It's easy to get lost in the beautiful imagery, but notice how it's not just about seeing the beloved, but experiencing him. The spices and herbs aren't just sights; they're aromas, and his lips aren't just visually described as lilies, but as dripping, suggesting a tangible, sweet taste and scent. This passage emphasizes the fullness of sensory experience, not just visual appeal, in this deep affection.
The bride has just been excitedly awakened by her beloved at her window, but in her eagerness to open the door, she has let him slip away. Now, she’s searching for him throughout the city, asking the watchmen if they’ve seen him, and this verse is part of her description of his unmatched beauty as she longs to find him again. Her longing and distress continue as she describes his physical allure, highlighting the deep desire she feels for his return after their brief separation.
The bride has just been excitedly awakened by her beloved at her window, but in her eagerness to open the door, she has let him slip away. Now, she’s searching for him throughout the city, asking the watchmen if they’ve seen him, and this verse is part of her description of his unmatched beauty as she longs to find him again. Her longing and distress continue as she describes his physical allure, highlighting the deep desire she feels for his return after their brief separation.
"His cheeks are like beds of spices, mounds of sweet-smelling herbs. His lips are lilies, dripping liquid myrrh." — It's easy to get lost in the beautiful imagery, but notice how it's not just about seeing the beloved, but experiencing him. The spices and herbs aren't just sights; they're aromas, and his lips…
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Last reviewed October 2026
