Does Scripture Talk About Physical Beauty? (Song of Solomon 3-4)

A Few Thoughts to Consider

Does physical attraction matter in a marriage relationship?

To some Christians, this question sounds bizarre. After all, isn’t internal beauty the only thing that counts? Song of Solomon 4 gives us a different perspective.

As Tom Gledhill writes, “This is the first occurrence in the Song of what is technically called in Arabic a wasf, a poem of praise in which one of the lovers describes metaphorically the other’s bodily parts, in a catalogue moving from head to toe or vice-versa. This type of poem is one of the characteristics of Arabic love-poetry, but the genre occurs in the Old Testament only in the Song of Songs.”^[1] Consider these words in verses 1-7:

¹ How beautiful you are, my darling.
How very beautiful!
Behind your veil,
your eyes are doves.
Your hair is like a flock of goats
streaming down Mount Gilead.
² Your teeth are like a flock of newly shorn sheep
coming up from washing,
each one bearing twins,
and none has lost its young.
³ Your lips are like a scarlet cord,
and your mouth is lovely.
Behind your veil,
your brow is like a slice of pomegranate.
⁴ Your neck is like the tower of David,
constructed in layers.
A thousand shields are hung on it—
all of them shields of warriors.
⁵ Your breasts are like two fawns,
twins of a gazelle, that feed among the lilies.
⁶ Until the day breaks
and the shadows flee,
I will make my way to the mountain of myrrh
and the hill of frankincense.
⁷ You are absolutely beautiful, my darling;
there is no imperfection in you.

This descriptive language is obviously metaphorical. As Tremper Longman writes, “It is important to remind ourselves again that this is poetry and not a narrative. We are not to think that the woman is literally roaming the wilderness crags of the northern mountains. She is not living with the animals. The distant, dangerous location signifies her present distance from the man.”^[2] He wants her to be close to him.

In verses 8-15, the scene shifts to a new poem. “The king now moves from admiration of his bride’s physical form to a description of their relationship.”^[3] He says in verse 9, “You have captured my heart, my sister, my bride. You have captured my heart with one glance of your eyes, with one jewel of your necklace.”

All in all, Song of Solomon 4 celebrates the beauty, intimacy, and passionate love between a bride and groom through rich, poetic language. The groom's detailed descriptions of his bride's physical beauty and their mutual desire symbolize the deep connection and affection within a marital relationship.

A Meditation to PRAY

Praise | Lord, I praise you for being a God who delights in beauty and love. You have crafted us with care and given us the ability to appreciate the wonders of your creation, including the beauty in each other. Thank you for showing us through your Word that physical attraction and deep affection are part of your design for marriage.

Release | I release any hesitations or discomfort I may feel about embracing the beauty and intimacy you have intended within marriage. Help me let go of any notions that disregard the value of physical attraction in a loving relationship. I surrender my fears of being vulnerable and misunderstood when it comes to expressing love and admiration.

Ask | I ask for your guidance to see beauty in others as you do and cultivate deep connections that honor you. Please grant me the wisdom to balance internal and external appreciation in my relationships, seeing both as gifts from you. Help me cherish my spouse with genuine admiration and express love in ways that strengthen our bond.

Yield | I yield to your design for marriage, embracing the beauty, intimacy, and passion you celebrate in your Word. May I approach my relationship with delight and commitment, seeing it as a reflection of your love. I trust in your goodness and allow your perspective to shape how I love and cherish those you have placed in my life.

A Challenge to Act Like Christ