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Solomon on the Day of His Wedding[a]

Companions:

What is this coming up from the desert
    like a column of smoke,
perfumed with myrrh and frankincense
    and with all the fragrant spices of the merchant?
Look, it is Solomon being carried in his litter,
    and escorted by sixty valiant guards,
    the bravest of the mighty warriors of Israel,
all of them expert swordsmen
    and experienced in warfare,
each with his sword ready at his side
    to guard against the terrors by night.[b]

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Footnotes

  1. Song of Songs 3:6 A dream gives various forms to desire. Like a fairy tale, a love song takes delight in images of splendor. The bride sees the bridegroom come to her in the sumptuous garb of the most pompous of kings accompanied by heroes of his guard; he takes possession of his throne on the day of his espousals! For those in love, the betrothal surpasses all the splendors of the world.
    Solomon, whose name signifies “peace,” is one of the figures of the Messiah. Thus, this scene may evoke also the triumphal appearance of a savior before the People of God to effect a definitive restoration for them. The Book of Revelation abounds with sumptuous images to announce the meeting of God and those who love him in the heavenly Jerusalem, that is to say, at the supreme fulfillment of all hopes.
  2. Song of Songs 3:8 The terrors by night: see Ps 91:5.