Her determination to find him is shown by her bravery in searching the city (most likely Jerusalem), a dangerous place for a woman on her own).1 In general, throughout the Song, the city or more urban settings are seen as places that are hostile to the young couple’s relationship, while rural settings are seen as the place where their relationship will flourish.
Wandering in the streets represents her desire to entice him as an act of love (Lady Wisdom and the prostitute do the same in Proverbs 1:20–21; Proverbs 7:10–13; Proverbs 8:1–4).2 The young woman willingly decides to rise and go. The reasons for not going with her man that had seemed so clear and logical in the previous poem (Song of Solomon 2:8–17), suddenly become confused in her thinking in the darkness of night.3 Still, despite her longing, she does not find her lover. The frustrating separation is still there until the time is right for their relationship to be consummated.
2 I will rise now and go about the city, in the streets and in the squares; I will seek him whom my soul loves. I sought him, but found him not.