Song of Solomon 5:13
His cheeks are like beds of spice, towers of perfume. His lips are like lilies, dripping with flowing myrrh.
His cheeks are like beds of spice,

The bride praises the beauty of her beloved with the rich imagery of a cultivated garden. Beds of fragrant herbs spoke of abundance, care, and delight in the ancient world, where spices were precious for perfume, hospitality, anointing, and worship. Her words portray a man whose presence brings pleasure and refreshment.

Sng 6:2 My beloved has gone down to his garden to the beds of spices…
Sng 4:14 with nard and saffron, with calamus and cinnamon…
Psa 45:8 All your garments are fragrant with myrrh and aloes…

towers of perfume.

Strength and fragrance are joined in her description. Towers suggested stability, protection, and prominence, while perfume filled a place with an inviting aroma. The beloved possesses both masculine strength and a gracious presence, qualities that find their perfect fulfillment in Christ, whose authority is marked by compassion and holiness.

Sng 1:3 The fragrance of your perfume is pleasing;…
Exo 30:25 Prepare from these a sacred anointing oil, a fragrant blend…
2Co 2:15 For we are to God the sweet aroma of Christ…

His lips are like lilies,

Lilies picture beauty, purity, and loveliness. The bride delights not only in her husband’s appearance but also in the sweetness of his speech. Words shaped by truth, tenderness, and faithfulness are a fitting adornment for a godly man, reflecting the life-giving character of God’s own words.

Sng 2:1 I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valley.
Psa 45:2 You are the most handsome of men; grace has anointed…
Pro 15:23 A man takes joy in a fitting reply—and how good…

dripping with flowing myrrh.

Myrrh was a costly fragrance used in royal anointing, worship, and burial. The image suggests speech that is precious and pleasing, yet carries the costly note of sacrificial love. Myrrh later appears in connection with Christ’s birth and burial, recalling the Savior whose gracious words and redeeming death bring healing and life.

Sng 1:13 My beloved is to me a sachet of myrrh, resting…
Sng 4:6 Before the day breaks and the shadows flee…
Exo 30:23 Take the finest spices: 500 shekels of liquid myrrh,…

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Beloved
The primary subject of this verse, often interpreted as a representation of Christ in allegorical readings, or as Solomon himself in the literal sense.

2. The Shulammite
The speaker in this passage, expressing her admiration and love for her beloved.

3. Spice and Myrrh
Symbolic elements in the verse, representing beauty, value, and the richness of love.

4. Lilies
Often used in biblical poetry to symbolize purity and beauty.

5. Song of Solomon
A poetic book in the Old Testament, celebrating love and often interpreted as an allegory of God's love for His people.
Teaching Points
The Beauty of Christ
Just as the beloved is described with rich and fragrant imagery, Christ's character and love are beautiful and worthy of admiration.

Symbolism of Myrrh and Spices
Myrrh, often used in anointing and burial, symbolizes sacrifice and the depth of Christ's love for us.

Purity and Devotion
The imagery of lilies and spices calls believers to pursue purity and a fragrant life of devotion to God.

The Intimacy of Relationship
The personal and intimate language encourages believers to cultivate a deep, personal relationship with Christ.

Reflecting Christ's Beauty
As followers of Christ, we are called to reflect His beauty and love in our interactions with others.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the imagery of spices and myrrh in Song of Solomon 5:13 enhance our understanding of the beloved's character?

2. In what ways can the description of the beloved's lips as lilies inspire us to speak words of purity and grace?

3. How does the intimate language of Song of Solomon challenge us to deepen our relationship with Christ?

4. What parallels can we draw between the beloved in Song of Solomon and the depiction of Christ in other scriptures?

5. How can we apply the concept of reflecting Christ's beauty in our daily lives and relationships?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 45
This royal wedding psalm shares similar themes of beauty and majesty, often seen as a messianic prophecy.

Ephesians 5:25-27
The relationship between Christ and the Church is likened to a marriage, emphasizing love and purity.

John 12:3
The anointing of Jesus with costly perfume, connecting to the imagery of myrrh and the value of love and devotion.
Spices, Flowers, Lilies, and MyrrhSongs 5:13
The Best BelovedA. G. Brown.Songs 5:9-16
The Christian's BelovedF. Tucker, B. A.Songs 5:9-16
The Incomparable Bridegroom and His BrideSongs 5:9-16
The Personal Excellences of JesusJ.D. Davies Songs 5:9-16
People
Solomon
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Balsam, Banks, Bed, Beds, Cheeks, Distilling, Dripping, Dropping, Face, Flowers, Flowing, Fragrance, Giving, Herbs, Lilies, Lips, Liquid, Myrrh, Perfume, Perfumes, Plants, Raised, Smelling, Sort, Spice, Spices, Sweet, Sweet-scented, Sweet-smelling, Towers, Yielding
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Songs 5:13

     4446   flowers
     4472   lily
     4486   myrrh
     4496   perfume
     5141   cheeks
     5164   lips
     5183   smell

Songs 5:10-15

     4333   gold

Songs 5:10-16

     5136   body

Library
Song of Songs
The contents of this book justify the description of it in the title, i. 1, as the "loveliest song"--for that is the meaning of the Hebrew idiom "song of songs." It abounds in poetical gems of the purest ray. It breathes the bracing air of the hill country, and the passionate love of man for woman and woman for man. It is a revelation of the keen Hebrew delight in nature, in her vineyards and pastures, flowers and fruit trees, in her doves and deer and sheep and goats. It is a song tremulous from
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

Christ Dwells in Heaven, but visits on Earth. Ss 6:1-3,12.
Christ dwells in heaven, but visits on earth. SS 6:1-3,12. When strangers stand and hear me tell What beauties in my Savior dwell, Where he is gone they fain would know, That they may seek and love him too. My best Beloved keeps his throne On hills of light, in worlds unknown; But he descends and shows his face In the young gardens of his grace. [In vineyards planted by his hand, Where fruitful trees in order stand; He feeds among the spicy beds, Where lilies show their spotless heads. He has
Isaac Watts—The Psalms and Hymns of Isaac Watts

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