Translation
THE PEACEFUL MAN TO THE PEACEFUL WOMAN
You are as beautiful
as TIRZAH,
Go to footnote numbermy Love,
as lovely as JERUSALEM,
as awesome
Go to footnote numberas a host of bannered
Go to footnote numbertroops.
Go to footnote numberParaphrase
THE COMPLETE MAN TO THE COMPLETE WOMAN
My Love, you are beautiful, yes, the very definition of BEAUTY;
you are as lovely as PEACE itself.
You are awe-inspiring, motivating and strong.
Footnotes
1
Tirzah means “beautiful, pleasurable or desirable.” It was the capital of the northern kingdom (Israel, in contrast to Judah) until the time of King Omri, when the capital was changed to Samaria. It was known as a beautiful city. That makes this a double emphasis on the idea of beauty, for the reputation was one of beauty and the name means “beautiful.”
2: "awesome”
This word is usually translated “terrible, fear-inspiring, frightful.” It also means “awesome” but usually in a negative way. In this context there is no sense of fear but there is a sense of awe.
3
Banners were intended to encourage and motivate.
4
The word “troops” does not occur separately in the Hebrew text, rather one word is used which literally means “as bannered ones,” or “as a bannered host.” The emphasis is on the fact that they are following a banner, i.e., they are unified and motivated. By implication it is not just few troops, but an entire army marching under its banners; it is power in action. As such it is an awe-inspiring symbol of strength.
Implications for marriage: The wife is also expected to be strong, she just shows it in a different way than a man does. She must have an inner core made of steel in order to withstand the trials of life and still be able to give her husband and her children what they need. Being a wife and mother isn’t for wimps. Yet her strength is surrounded by her other qualities which create a balanced picture and make it a beautiful kind of strength.