The Song of Songs, or Song of Solomon, is another piece of Wisdom literature in the Bible. It describes in stark and explicit--though poetic terms--the physical and sexual relationship between a man and a woman, as well as intense emotional longing and romance. Viewed through the rest of Scripture, there is something about this relationship that also is intensely spiritual in nature. 

More on all of this later. What I wanted to point out in this post is how much the man and woman, husband and wife, really lay on the compliments. I have outlined some of these below. Now, guys, I would not try most of these lines at home--especially the highlighted ones. Telling your wife that she is like a "mare," that her hair is like a "flock of goats" might get you lying on the coach for a night, rather than its intended effect!

But what does this show us about a marriage relationship? Well, one thing it shows is the importance of building up your mate with words of love and admiration! And notice how both the man and the woman do this.

Here is a top ten list of compliments from Song of Songs that may not translate very well today!

1. "I liken you, my darling, to a mare" (1:9).
   
   
2. "Your hair is like a flock of goats descending from the hills of Gilead" (2:2)
   
   
3. "Your teeth are like a flock of sheep just shorn" (2:2).
   
   
4. "Your temples behind your veil are like the halves of a pomegranate" (2:3).
   
   
5. "Your neck is like the tower of David" (2:5).
   
   
6. "You are as beautiful as Tirzah, my darling,
       as lovely as Jerusalem" (5:4).
   
   
7. "Your navel is a rounded goblet
       that never lacks blended wine" (7:2).
   
   
8. "Your waist is a mound of wheat" (7:2).
   
   
9. "Your nose is like the tower of Lebanon looking toward Damascus" (7:5).
   
   
10. "Your breasts like clusters of fruit. 8 I said, 'I will climb the palm tree;
        I will take hold of its fruitl'" (7:7-8).

Which of these ten do you like best? What would be good modern day alternatives?