1. Cantique des Cantiques 1:2 (NEG79)
  2. Explication du texte

Why does the Song of Songs begin with these words of the woman?

Cantique des Cantiques 1:2 (NEG79)

2 Qu'il me baise des baisers de sa bouche! Car ton amour vaut mieux que le vin,

Before we even know anything about any of the characters in the Song, the young woman opens the Song with an immediate and passionate longing for her beloved. She longs for the kisses of his mouth. This is very intimate language. She longs to be kissed by him. This goes beyond just greeting; this is the language of lovers.

By expressing her passion so strongly and openly right at the start of the Song, we are left in no doubt as to what the main theme of the Song is going to be: passionate love.