Song of All Songs Introduction

Song of All Songs

"Study Guide/Workbook" by Lee Behnken

An 80 song prayer devotional, journal, and Bible study for meditating on the Word of God...taken from the Song of Solomon.

Dedicated to overcomers with hungry hearts who are coming out of the darkness of an unloving world and into the glorious light of God's perfect love.

Mother's Edition

But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother.

The Wisdom of GOD

The five "wisdom books" in the Bible are also called the five "poetry books"...which are Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Songs (or the Song of Solomon). God imparts wisdom to us through His poetic word. From Genesis to Revelation, God imparts percepts and principles through the use of parables, allegories, symbols, and metaphors. All scripture is holy...but the Song of Songs is the Holy of Holies. It is the glory of God to conceal a thing; but the honor of kings to search out a matter. - Proverbs 25:2

"The LORD is my strength and song, and he has become my salvation." - Moses (Exodus 15:2a)

"The LORD is my strength and song, and has become my salvation." - The Psalmist (Psalm 118:14)

"Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid; for the LORD "ADONAI" (the self-existent, eternal, and One true God of Israel) is my strength and my song; He also is my salvation." - The Prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 12:2)

Occupy your mind (strengthen your mind) with the poetry of God (He is your song) and your heart will become filled with the power and wisdom of God (Jesus Christ)...your salvation.

The Song of Solomon has been a favorite book of the Bible for some of the most famous men of God in Church history. This list includes Charles Spurgeon, D.L. Moody, Hudson Tyler, and Jonathan Edwards. This book is beautifully poetic and powerfully prophetic. It reveals God's intimate plan for discipleship...your personal journey into spiritual maturity with Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 3:14-21 NKJV

₁₄ For this reason, I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, ₁₅ from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, ₁₆ that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, ₁₇ that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, ₁₈ may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height - ₁₉ to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. ₂₀ Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, ₂₁ to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. - John 1:1

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us,(and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth. - John 1:14

From the very first day, God revealed His beautiful Shir Hashirim (translated: Song of Songs) to His chosen people Israel, until now, the Song of Songs has always been all about having an intimate and personal relationship with the Word of God, knowing who you are in the Word of God and bearing fruit that lasts forever through the Word of God...all for the glory of GOD the Father.

The "LORD" bless thee and keep thee. - Numbers 6:24 KJV

The word "LORD", spelled with all CAPITAL LETTERS, in the King James Version of the Old Testament, is nearly always a reference to the second person of the Godhead, "Jesus Christ, our beloved LORD and savior." The Song of Songs is all about an intimate and personal relationship with Jesus Christ, the Word of God.

May the Word of God bless you and keep you;

May the Word of God make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you;

May the Word of God look upon you with favor and give you peace. - Numbers 6:24-26 paraphrased

The LORD (Word of God) is my strength and song, and has become my salvation. - Psalm 118:14

For our copyright information, contact:

Lee Behnken Ministries

475 Arlington Road

Brookville, Ohio 45309

www.MyFavoriteSong.US

Email: [email protected]

Meditating on the Word of God

The ministry of the Song of Solomon (SOS) is a beautiful place to learn how to meditate on the Word of God. Just as it takes time to get to know a friend, it takes time to get to know the love of God...and there's no place in the Bible as rich in the poetic wisdom of God's heart of love for you than the Song of Solomon. I know of no book that will draw you closer to Jesus or be more personal than the Song of Solomon. The Song of Solomon is GOD's living Word, given for you.

You are created in God's image...and like Him, God has given you a poetic heart. The poetry of the Song of Solomon has come from God's wise and poetic heart...and He wants you to know His poetic heart of love toward you through His very best of songs, His "Song of Songs." GOD wants you to be able to look at your relationship with Him "poetically," through the wisdom of His Word. God's amazing and perfect love is revealed through the "bridal metaphor" found in the scriptures. Jesus is your soon coming Bridegroom King...and you are going to be deeply blessed as you come to know His beautiful heart of love toward you...in the Song of Solomon.

The ministry of the Song of Solomon comes slowly at first, like a "slow drip." The LORD wants you to spend time with Him. He wants you to slow down...and spend time learning about what GOD sees in you personally (SOS 4:1-5). There are no shortcuts. Memorizing a Bible verse is good but unless you spend time thinking about the meaning of the Bible verse, it will not reall be "the strength of your heart." God wants His love to rest in your heart...and to be "your song." The poetic wisdom of the Song of Solomon is a "teacher." It will help you learn how to "slow down" and meditate on GOD's Word...until He becomes your salvation (Psalm 118:14).

We have prepared this "starting point" for you called the "Song of All Songs" to help you begin your personal discovery in the Song of Solomon. Our "starting point together," here in the Song of All Songs, will be a little like going into the world's most extravagant fine dining restaurant and "opening and spending the menu" for what will in time be the most glorious meal you have ever had in your life, in a quiet and intimate setting, seated privately with the LORD Jesus.

We have prepared an "80 song menu of scriptures" from which you may choose to personally "dine on" (in the privacy of your own heart), reclined at the banqueting table with just "you and the LORD." As we go through the ministry materials of the Song of All Songs together, it will be like taking time to "read the menu." But, you must select the portion of God's word that you would like to meditate on...and dine on...in your personal, private time with Him.

We have prepared this Song Of All Songs "Study Guide/Workbook" in which the 8 chapters of the Song of Solomon are organized into 80 individual "songs" (10 songs per chapter). Each of Solomon scription reference for that song given under each song title. Under the scripture reference is "the theme" of that individual song(on the right page). Under the theme of each song is the actual scripture printed out in the King James Version of the Bible (darkened print). under the KJV scripture is our Song of All Songs paraphrased interpretation of the verses.

To help you get started, we recommend you first read the Song of Songs (or Song of Solomon) all the way through in your personal Bible. Then use this workbook and read the first chapter all the way through in the highlighted KJV. Then go back and read the KJV again. As you do this, it will help you to become familiar with each chapter and their verses.

Now go back to the first verse of the first chapter...and begin to slow down. Take time now in prayer (SOS 1:1-4) and ask God to reveal to you what He wants to say to you in each of the verses (and songs) as you go through them. Read the title of the song and the theme of the song...and then read the KJV verse(s) along with the "paraphrased interpretation." Slow down again...and think about what God is saying to you in each song...as you go through each chapter.

Pray, read, think about it, ruminate (think deep; chew the cud), mumble the scripture over and over on your lips, in you heart and listen: Heavenly Father, please give me eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart to understand what You have for me today in Your most beautiful song. Amen.

As you think about each song, pray and meditate on God's word, consider inspirations the verses stir in your heart, or "questions" that come up and write them down in your "workbook." Write down what you sense God is saying through each of the songs and their scriptures.

As you become more "hungry," read and study the additional scripture references found at the bottom of the pages (starting with the highlighted scripture references) and write down other scriptures that may also apply to each song. Knowing God's word is "key" to growing in God's love...and to maturing as an overcomer (Psalm 119:11). Be consistent, stay focused on the Word in prayer and you will see God working in your heart and in your life...for His glory.

Write a "prayer" from your heart to the LORD and turn verses int he Song of Solomon into personal prayer...or...wriet some lyrics...find a melody...and sing your prayer to the LORD.

Get a special notebook if you would like, dedicated to your meditation and prayers in the SOS and grow a personal dialogue with the LORD, praising Him and thanking Him for what you are gleaning from God's most amazing song (The Davidic ministry of recording; I Chronicles 16:4).

There are four parts of the ancient Jewish wedding:

1. The contract, agreement, or covenant (the bride price)
2. Waiting for and/or preparing for the return of the bridegroom
3. The consummation (I Corinthians 13:12)
4. The celebration or wedding feast (Revelation 19:6-9)

Our bride price has been paid (through the gospel of Jesus Christ) and we are now betrothed (legally marred) to Christ. YOU are the bride of Christ and you now belong to Him, and He belongs to you (SOS 6:3). Now is the time to prepare for His return. When Jesus returns, we will see Him face to face and we will fully know Him (I Corinthians 13:12) and we will celebrate the wedding feast, the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:6-9) with Him.

The ministry of the Song of Songs is an "extra oil" ministry (Matthew 25:4). Extra oil is costly, requiring us to prioritize our time, to be still and spend time with God, to learn how to talk with Him throughout the day (Psalm 34:1), prepared for His return. Now is the time for you to get extra oil that the fire of God may continue to burn in your heart when He returns (II Timothy 4:8).

A few poetic thoughts about meditating on the Word of God

(Preparing milk for others)

"Meditation" can be described as "a sheep chewing on her cud" (a fun analogy inspired by the poetic metaphor in the 23_rd Psalm). Meditation is like a sheep grazing leisurely in the grass...taking her time...pulling from the grass. She cuts the grass with her teeth, chews and swallows the grass into her stomach to digest for a while. Then later, she brings the grass back up from her stomach and chews on it again...and then swallows it again...and then she brings it back up and chews some more before swallowing...then chewing again...and swallowing her cud. OK...so a sheep chewing her cud might be a weird analogy for some of us city folks (smiling).

As you take time reading and meditating on the Song of Solomon; read and think about it for a while...then swallow God's living word as best you can into your hear. Then later...use the study guide/workbook...and bring the scripture back up...and get a hold of the theme of the individual song prepared for each particular scripture verse...and read the KJV (with other Bible translations) again along with the paraphrased interpretation for that theme...and leisurely chew on it some more. You may notice it beginning to taste even better than it did the first time (LOL). Hold the song them and the paraphrased interpretation in your mind for as long as you like...and then swallow it back down into your heart again...and then bring it back up later and think about it some more...and repeat this over and over. Oooooo...we're making milk now (smiling)!

Many of us have never done this before. That's OK. We need to learn how to take time with the LORD at His banqueting table...to meditate on the Word of God...and pray the scriptures. I recommend you go all the way through one chapter of the Song Of All Songs every day with two chapters on Saturdays (that's what I love to do) or if you'd like to go slower tha that, take time with just one of the 80 songs for a day or two; for as long as it's needed, as long as it pleases. The Holy Spirit will help you take each step of faith. Keep pressing into God's heart. He absolutely loves you...and He loves it when you draw close to Him to seek His face in "the secret place" (where you will come to know His passionate heart of love for you).

The more you eat and drink from God's living word, the more capacity you will have to meditate on His word (get the Ephesians 3:14-21 prayer into your heart ASAP). As you learn to take the scriptures back and forth from your mind and your heart, they will become the strength of your hear, your song...and your salvation. The Word of God will renew your thinking and transform your heart (Romans 12:1-2) and change your life, as the LORD washes you in the water of His word (Ephesians 5:25-27).

May the LORD bless you and keep you as He reveals His poetic heart of love, power, and wisdom to you and as you worship God in your heart praying: "Lord GOD, I love Your Word"...in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Your brother in Jesus,

Lee Behnken

A few words about our "work in progress" in the Song of All Songs project

In 2008, we recorded two CDs for Song Of All Songs; Chapter One and Chapter Two...which helped give us direction for all 80 songs of the Song Of All Songs recording project. You can hear these songs (demos) at www.MyFavoriteSong.Us. We hope to have all 80 songs completely finished (fully produced, mixed, and mastered) sometime in 2020.

These 80 recorded songs of the Song Of All Songs are a beautiful tapestry, a wonderful work of the LORD; an 8 chapter, verse by verse, 80 song devotional and commentary on this amazing book in the Bible, the Song of Solomon.

These 80 songs are full of "musical hooks" (melodies), repeated throughout the songs. The most repeated melody is "You are beautiful" (instrumentally laced into half of the songs). The ministry of these repeated melodies is part of the poetic tapestry inspired in this amazing book. The psalmists in the Bible also used repeated melodies in the book of Psalms. For example, Psalm 45 and Psalm 80 were both set to the tune "The Lilies."

A few of the repeated musical hooks throughout Song Of All Songs are: "You are beautiful"..."We are growing in love"..."Holy love"..."Yeshua"..."Abba, Father"..."Abba"...and the "prayer hook" found in SOS/Chapter Two's Dove Song: See me, Jesus...Hear me, Jesus." Melodies are repeated with lyrical changes. Whole songs are repeated with lyrical changes...and lyrics are repeated throughout the songs...giving the Song Of All Songs a beautiful and poetic musical tapestry we hope you will enjoy...as the Lord draws you after His heart.

We've also written a Song Of All Songs, verse by verse, paraphrased interpretation of the Song of Solomon...which is helping us to grow this study guide/workbook. It includes additional and helpful commentary on the ministry of the Song of Solomon. All of our Song of All Songs ministry materuials are still a work in progress.

We are looking for a few people to journey with us...to take time to daily listen to these songs...and to follow along in this study guide/workbook. We want to learn from you. There are no two people alike...and there is no one like you. Please consider spending time in the Song of All Songs; listening, reading, praying...and sharing with us how the LORD is touching your heart.

If you would like to join us in the Song Of All Songs project...and participate in this amazing journey with Jesus (the power and wisdom of God), please contact us...and order a copy of the Song of ALL Songs - Study Guide/Workbook available here on our Study Guide link.

The key verse for the Song of Songs is SOS 4:7. Here is our paraphrased interpretation:

"You are absolutely beautiful and amazing. My favorite one; sealed as righteous, there is no spot, not a blemish, no flaw...not one imperfection in you." - Song of All Songs 4:7

Song of ALL Songs

Study Guide/Workbook Table of Contents

The 80 Songs

Chapter One: GOD'S ETERNAL LOVE

Bridegroom King - SOS 1:1-2a

Better Than Wine - SOS 1:2b

Holy And Anointed One - SOS 1:3

Draw Me After You - SOS 1:4a

Chambers Of My King - SOS 1:4b

Dark But Lovely - SOS 1:5-6

The Shepherds And Their Sheep - SOS 1:5-8

Filly Of The King - SOS 1:9-10

Baptize My Heart - SOS 1:11

You Are Mine - SOS 1:12-17

Chapter Two: GROWING IN LOVE

The One That You Love - SOS 2:1-2

Apple Tree - SOS 2:3

Lovesick And Longing - SOS 2:4-5

Here On The Couch - SOS 2:6-7

The Voice Of My Beloved - SOS 2:8-10

Rise Up My Love (The Groom's Song) - SOS 2:10-13

Dove Song - SOS 2:14

Catch Us The Foxes - SOS 2:15

You Are Mine And I Am Yours - SOS 2:16

Until The Day Breaks - SOS 2:17

Chapter Three: OUT OF THE DARK AND INTO THE LIGHT

The One I Love - SOS 3:1

All Night Long - SOS 3:1-3

No One Loves You Like Jesus (Song of the Night Watchman) - SOS 3:3-4

Holy Of Holies - SOS 3:4

Here On The Couch II - SOS 3:5

The Couch Of My Beloved - SOS 3:6-10

Who Is This Coming Out - SOS 3:6

Behold The King's Couch - SOS 3:7-8

Love On The Inside - SOS 3:9-10

Go And See The King - SOS 3:11

Chapter Four: YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL

You Are Beautiful - SOS 4:1-5

We're Crossing Over - SOS 4:1-3

To The Mountain Of Zion - SOS 4:6

I AM WHO I AM - SOS 4:7

Seated Here In You - SOS 4:8

I Am Beautiful - SOS 4:9

Much Better Than Wine - SOS 4:10a

Holy And Annointed Love - SOS 4:10b-11

Locked Garden (The Bride's Song) - SOS 4:12-16a

Come Into Your Garden - SOS 4:16b

Chapter Five: LOVING GOD IN AN UNLOVING WORLD

Jesus You Are Here - SOS 5:1

It Is The Voice Of My Beloved - SOS 5:2-3

You Are My Longing - SOS 5:4

Jesus Here I Am - SOS 5:5

Where Are You - SOS 5:6-7

Ode To The Saul Type Watchmen - SOS 5:7

Lovesick For You - SOS 5:7-8

The Shepherd King - SOS 5:9

Amazing God - SOS 5:10

Here In Your Temple - SOS 5:11-16

Chapter Six: OVERCOMING THROUGH THE POWER OF GOD'S LOVE FOR HIS FAMLIY

The Shepherd And His Sheep - SOS 6:1

My Beloved Has Gone To His Garden - SOS 6:2

I Am Yours And You Are Mine - SOS 6:3

We Give You Glorious Praise - SOSS 6:4

We Have Crossed Over - SOS 6:5-7

Heaven's Only One - SOS 6:8-9

Here In The Heavens - SOS 6:10

The Walnut Grove - SOS 6:11

Chariots OF A Noble People - SOS 6:12

Shulamite Bride - SOS 6:13

Chapter Seven: FRUIT THAT LASTS FOREVER

Locked Garden (The Groom's Song) - SOS 7:1-5

Beautiful And Pleasing - SOS 7:6

Like A Palm Tree - SOS 7:7-8a

Your Holy And Annointed One - SOS 7:8b-9a

We Celebrate Our Love - SOS 7:9b

I Am Yours And I Am Your Desire - SOS 7:10

I Am Yours - SOS 7:10

Rise Up My Beloved One (The Bride's Song) - SOS 7:11-12

Here In The Vineyards - SOS 7:12

Holy Love - SOS 7:13

Chapter Eight: ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN

On Earth As It Is In Heaven - SOS 8:1-2

Here On The Couch III - SOS 8:3-4

Who Is This Coming Up - SOS 8:5a

Under The Apple Tree - SOS 8:5b

Jesus Forever! - SOS 8:6

Jesus Christ Is My LORD - SOS 8:7

Little Sister Song - SOS 8:8-10

King Of The Vineyard - SOS 8:11-12

Here In The Gardens - SOS 8:13

Run Swiftly My Beloved - SOS 8:14

Your Opening Prayer

(Song of Solomon 1:1-4)

Father, in the name of the "Lord Jesus Christ"...I love Your Word.

Let Him (The Word of God) kiss me with the kisses of His mouth; for Your love is better than wine.

Because of the fragrance of Your pleasing perfumes, Your name is perfume poured forth, therefore the virgins love You.

Draw me after You and we will run together.

The King has brought me into His chambers.

We will be glad and rejoice in You.

We will remember Your love more than wine.

The righteous love You.

In the name of Yeshua Mamashiach, Jesus the Messiah...Amen.

Song of Solomon 1:1-4 serves the reader as the summary outline of the book. We recommend using it as a beautiful opening prayer of invocation each time you seek the LORD's heart in the Song of Songs.