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Ordinary Time · Saint Mary Magdalene · Year B

Song of Songs 3:1-4b

Seeking the One Whom My Soul Loves

July 22, 2027

The Magdalen with the Smoking Flame, Georges de La Tour
The Magdalen with the Smoking Flame, Georges de La Tour, about 1640Los Angeles County Museum of Art
A woman alone at night with her chin on her hand, a skull in her lap, and one oil lamp on the table beside her burning with a long smoking flame. Nothing in the room but the books and the light.Upon my bed at night I sought him whom my soul loves; I sought him, but found him not. I will rise now and go about the city, in the streets and in the squares; I will seek him whom my soul loves.Georges de La TourLa Tour, who painted a single candle so often that it became the whole subject.Los Angeles County Museum of ArtThe Los Angeles County Museum of Art.Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Roman Lectionary
GospelJohn 20:1-2, 11-18Jn 20:1-2, 11-18
Second Reading2 Cor. 5:14-172 Cor 5:14-17
First ReadingSong 3:1-4bSg 3:1-4b
Responsorial PsalmPs. 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9Ps 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9

Overview & Insights

"I sought him whom my soul loves; I sought him, but found him not." (Song of Songs 3:1)

The bride rises in the night and searches the city for the one her soul loves, refusing to let go once she finds him. The church reads this longing search as a figure of Mary Magdalene seeking the Lord at the tomb.

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Take it further: Song of Songs 3:1-4b

Commentary

Song of Solomon 3: The Bride's SearchSg 3: The Bride's Search Enduring Word · David Guzik

David Guzik's verse by verse evangelical commentary on the chapter.

Song of Solomon CommentariesSg Commentaries Precept Austin

A gathered collection of study resources and verse by verse notes on the Song.

Song of Songs 3:1 CommentariesSg 3:1 Commentaries BibleHub

Aggregates classic commentaries on the night search in one place.

Barnes' Notes on Song of Solomon 3Barnes' Notes on Sg 3 StudyLight

Albert Barnes' notes on the whole chapter of Song of Solomon 3.

Saint Mary Magdalene (Year B): Readings Agape Bible Study

A Catholic reading study that connects the bride's search in the Song to the day's Gospel.

Background & Word Study

Song of Songs 3 in HebrewSg 3 in Hebrew Sefaria

The Hebrew text with English alongside and classical Jewish commentaries.

Song of Songs 3:1 Hebrew InterlinearSg 3:1 Hebrew Interlinear BibleHub

Hebrew word by word with parsing and Strong's numbers for the night search.

The Church Fathers

Catena on Song of Songs 3Catena on Sg 3 Catena

Patristic comments gathered verse by verse on the bride seeking her beloved.

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