Song of Solomon 3 Comparison: Noyes Translation (1869) vs King James Version
Song of Solomon 3
1[M.] Upon my bed, in the night, I sought him whom my soul loveth; I sought him, but found him not.
2I will arise now [said I], and go about the city; In the streets and the broad ways will I seek him whom my soul loveth; I sought him, but found him not.
3The watchmen who go about the city found me; "Have you seen [said I] him whom my soul loveth?"
4I had but just passed them, When I found him whom my soul loveth; I held him, and would not let him go, Till I had brought him into my mother’s house, Into the apartment of her that bore me.
5[Lov.] I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem! By the gazelles, and by the hinds of the field, That ye stir not up, nor awake my love, till she please.
6Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, Like pillars of smoke, Perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, With all the powders of the merchant?
7Behold, the carriage of Solomon! Threescore valiant men are around it, Of the valiant men of Israel.
8They all wear swords, Being skilled in war. Every one hath his sword girt upon his thigh, On account of danger in the night.
9King Solomon made for himself a carriage Of the wood of Lebanon.
10The pillars thereof he made of silver, The railing of gold, The seat of purple, Its interior curiously wrought by a lovely one of the daughters of Jerusalem.
11Go forth, O ye daughters of Zion! And behold King Solomon In the crown with which his mother crowned him, In the day of his espousals, In the day of the gladness of his heart.
Song of Solomon 3
1By night on my bed I sought him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not.
2I will rise now, and go about the city in the streets, and in the broad ways I will seek him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not.
3The watchmen that go about the city found me: to whom I said, Saw ye him whom my soul loveth?
4It was but a little that I passed from them, but I found him whom my soul loveth: I held him, and would not let him go, until I had brought him into my mother’s house, and into the chamber of her that conceived me.
5I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, by the roes, and by the hinds of the field, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, till he please.
6Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant?
7Behold his bed, which is Solomon’s; threescore valiant men are about it, of the valiant of Israel.
8They all hold swords, being expert in war: every man hath his sword upon his thigh because of fear in the night.
9King Solomon made himself a chariot of the wood of Lebanon.
10He made the pillars thereof of silver, the bottom thereof of gold, the covering of it of purple, the midst thereof being paved with love, for the daughters of Jerusalem.
11Go forth, O ye daughters of Zion, and behold king Solomon with the crown wherewith his mother crowned him in the day of his espousals, and in the day of the gladness of his heart.
Understanding Noyes Translation (1869) vs King James Version in Song of Solomon 3
Noyes Translation (1869) (Noyes)
A scholarly 1869 translation by George R. Noyes, aiming for precision and literary beauty. Known for its distinct Unitarian perspective and separate translation of poetical books like Psalms.
King James Version (KJV)
The classic 1611 English translation known for its majestic prose and literary influence. Ideal for traditional study and memorization thanks to its formal style. A foundational English Bible used for centuries.
You are viewing a side-by-side comparison of Song of Solomon 3 in the Noyes Translation (1869) and King James Version. Comparing these two versions can help shed light on the nuances of the original text.
Key Comparison: Song of Solomon 3:1
"[M.] Upon my bed, in the night, I sought him whom my soul loveth; I sought him, but found him not."
"By night on my bed I sought him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not."
