The young woman's rivals for her man's affection, mentioned in a different order than in Song of Solomon 6:8—young women, queens, and concubines—actually acknowledge her superiority by praising her.1 The sophisticated and successful royal set, whose scorn she feared at the beginning of the Song because of her humble beginnings (Song of Solomon 1:5–7), here join the man in declaring her praise.2
9 Une seule est ma colombe, ma parfaite; Elle est l'unique de sa mère, La préférée de celle qui lui donna le jour. Les jeunes filles la voient, et la disent heureuse; Les reines et les concubines aussi, et elles la louent.