Song of Songs

The Song of Songs

David A. Dorsey, The Literary Structure of the Old Testament

Each unit except the last opens with the lovers apart and with a sense of excited tension, and closes on a note of tranquillity, with the lovers united, with a refrain alluding to the lovers' union.

1. a
   opening words of mutual love and desire1:2–2:7
2. b
   young man's invitation to the young woman to join him in the countryside2:8–17
3. c
   young woman's nighttime search for the young man3:1–5
4. d
   CENTER: their wedding day3:6–5:1
5. c′
   young woman's nighttime search for the young man, and their speeches of admiration and longing5:2–7:10[5:2–7:11]
6. b′
   young woman's invitation to the young man to join her in the countryside7:11–8:4[7:12–8:4]
7. a′
   closing words of mutual love and desire8:5–14

Symmetrical arrangement of the Song of Songs

David A. Dorsey, The Literary Structure of the Old Testament

1. a
   opening words of mutual love and desire1:2–2:7seven speeches, alternating between the young woman and the young man; Solomon mentioned by name; young woman's vineyard contrasted with brothers'; brothers mistreat(?) the young woman; her self-assurance regarding her beauty; apple tree as a place of intimacy; ends with refrain: his left arm . . .
2. b
   young man's invitation to the young woman to join him in the countryside; three stanzas2:8–17description of the renewal of spring and nature; flowers and grapevines; vineyards in bloom; he comes to her home to invite her to come out with him; ends with refrain: my lover is mine . . .
3. c
   young woman's nighttime search for the young man3:1–5begins: young woman in bed at night, yearning for her absent lover; she goes out to search for him, but is found by the guards who go about the city; refrain: my lover is mine . . . (immediately precedes the unit's beginning)
4. d
   CENTER: their wedding day3:6–5:1framed by poet's words
5. c′
   young woman's nighttime search for the young man, and their speeches of admiration and longing5:2–7:10[5:2–7:11]; begins: young woman in bed at night, yearning for her absent lover; she goes out to search for him, but is found by the guards who go about the city; ends with refrain: I am my lover's . . .
6. b′
   young woman's invitation to the young man to join her in the countryside; three parts7:11–8:4[7:12–8:4]; description of the renewal of spring and nature; flowers and grapevines; vineyards in bloom; she would bring him to her home; refrain: I am my lover's . . . (immediately precedes the unit's beginning)
7. a′
   closing words of mutual love and desire8:5–14seven speeches, symmetrically arranged, alternating mainly between young woman and young man; Solomon mentioned by name; her vineyard contrasted with Solomon's others; brothers belittle(?) the young woman; her self-assurance regarding her beauty; apple tree as a place of intimacy; refrain: his left arm . . . (immediately precedes the unit's beginning)