Song of Solomon 3:2
New International Version
I will get up now and go about the city, through its streets and squares; I will search for the one my heart loves. So I looked for him but did not find him.

New Living Translation
So I said to myself, “I will get up and roam the city, searching in all its streets and squares. I will search for the one I love.” So I searched everywhere but did not find him.

English Standard Version
I will rise now and go about the city, in the streets and in the squares; I will seek him whom my soul loves. I sought him, but found him not.

Berean Standard Bible
I will arise now and go about the city, through the streets and squares. I will seek the one I love. So I sought him but did not find him.

King James Bible
I 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.

New King James Version
“I will rise now,” I said, “And go about the city; In the streets and in the squares I will seek the one I love.” I sought him, but I did not find him.

New American Standard Bible
‘I must arise now and go around in the city; In the streets and in the public squares I must seek him whom my soul loves.’ I sought him but did not find him.

NASB 1995
‘I must arise now and go about the city; In the streets and in the squares I must seek him whom my soul loves.’ I sought him but did not find him.

NASB 1977
‘I must arise now and go about the city; In the streets and in the squares I must seek him whom my soul loves.’ I sought him but did not find him.

Legacy Standard Bible
‘I must arise now and go about the city; In the streets and in the squares I must seek him whom my soul loves.’ I sought him but did not find him.

Amplified Bible
I said ‘So I must arise now and go out into the city; Into the streets and into the squares [places I do not know] I must seek him whom my soul loves.’ I sought him but I did not find him.

Christian Standard Bible
I will arise now and go about the city, through the streets and the plazas. I will seek the one I love. I sought him, but did not find him.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I will arise now and go about the city, through the streets and the plazas. I will seek the one I love. I sought him, but did not find him.

American Standard Version
I said, I 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.

Contemporary English Version
So I searched through the town for the one I love. I looked on every street, but he wasn't there.

English Revised Version
I said, I 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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I will get up now and roam around the city, in the streets, and in the squares. I will look for the one I love. I looked for him but did not find him.

Good News Translation
I went wandering through the city, through its streets and alleys. I looked for the one I love. I looked, but couldn't find him.

International Standard Version
I'll get up and go all around the city, throughout the streets, and in the squares. I'll seek the one I love. I sought him, but didn't find him.

Majority Standard Bible
I will arise now and go about the city, through the streets and squares. I will seek the one I love. So I sought him but did not find him.

NET Bible
"I will arise and look all around throughout the town, and throughout the streets and squares; I will search for my beloved." I searched for him but I did not find him.

New Heart English Bible
I will get up now, and go about the city; in the streets and in the squares I will seek him whom my soul loves. I sought him, but I did not find him.

Webster's Bible Translation
I 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.

World English Bible
I will get up now, and go about the city; in the streets and in the squares I will seek him whom my soul loves. I sought him, but I didn’t find him.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Now let me rise, and go around the city, "" In the streets and in the broad places, "" I seek him whom my soul has loved! I sought him, and I did not find him.

Young's Literal Translation
-- Pray, let me rise, and go round the city, In the streets and in the broad places, I seek him whom my soul hath loved! -- I sought him, and I found him not.

Smith's Literal Translation
I will arise now, and I will go round about in the city; in the streets, and in the broad places I will seek him whom my soul loved. I sought him, and I found him not.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
I will rise, and will go about the city: in the streets and the broad ways I will seek him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, and I found him not.

Catholic Public Domain Version
I will rise up, and I will circle through the city. Through the side streets and thoroughfares, I will seek him whom my soul loves. I sought him, and did not find him.

New American Bible
“Let me rise then and go about the city, through the streets and squares; Let me seek him whom my soul loves.” I sought him but I did not find him.

New Revised Standard Version
“I will rise now and go about the city, in the streets and in the squares; I will seek him whom my soul loves.” I sought him, but found him not.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
I will rise now and go about the city in the streets, and in the broad ways I will seek him whom my soul loves; I sought him but I found him not.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
I shall arise now and I shall go around in the city in the streets, and in the broad ways I shall seek him whom my soul has loved. I sought him and I did not find him
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
I 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.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
I will rise now, and go about in the city, in the market-places, and in the streets, and I will seek him whom my soul loves: I sought him, but I found him not.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Bride's Dream
1On my bed at night I sought the one I love; I sought him, but did not find him. 2I will arise now and go about the city, through the streets and squares. I will seek the one I love. So I sought him but did not find him. 3I encountered the watchmen on their rounds of the city: “Have you seen the one I love?”…

Cross References
Proverbs 8:17
I love those who love me, and those who seek me early shall find me.

Matthew 7:7-8
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. / For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

Jeremiah 29:13
You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.

Luke 11:9-10
So I tell you: Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. / For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

Isaiah 55:6
Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near.

Matthew 28:5-6
But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. / He is not here; He has risen, just as He said! Come, see the place where He lay.

John 20:13-15
“Woman, why are you weeping?” they asked. “Because they have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I do not know where they have put Him.” / When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there. But she did not recognize that it was Jesus. / “Woman, why are you weeping?” Jesus asked. “Whom are you seeking?” Thinking He was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried Him off, tell me where you have put Him, and I will get Him.”

Psalm 63:1
A Psalm of David, when he was in the Wilderness of Judah. O God, You are my God. Earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for You. My body yearns for You in a dry and weary land without water.

John 14:18
I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

Matthew 28:9
Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” They came to Him, grasped His feet, and worshiped Him.

Psalm 42:1-2
For the choirmaster. A Maskil of the sons of Korah. As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul longs after You, O God. / My soul thirsts for God, the living God. When shall I come and appear in God’s presence?

John 1:38-39
Jesus turned and saw them following. “What do you want?” He asked. They said to Him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are You staying?” / “Come and see,” He replied. So they went and saw where He was staying, and spent that day with Him. It was about the tenth hour.

Hosea 5:6
They go with their flocks and herds to seek the LORD, but they do not find Him; He has withdrawn Himself from them.

John 20:1-2
Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. / So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb,” she said, “and we do not know where they have put Him!”

Psalm 27:8
My heart said, “Seek His face.” Your face, O LORD, I will seek.


Treasury of Scripture

I will rise now, and go about the city in the streets, and in the broad ways I will seek him whom my soul loves: I sought him, but I found him not.

will rise

Song of Solomon 5:5
I rose up to open to my beloved; and my hands dropped with myrrh, and my fingers with sweet smelling myrrh, upon the handles of the lock.

Isaiah 64:7
And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee: for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities.

John 1:6
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

the streets

Proverbs 1:20,21
Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets: …

Proverbs 8:2,3,34
She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths…

Luke 14:21-23
So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind…

i sought

Psalm 22:1,2
To the chief Musician upon Aijeleth Shahar, A Psalm of David. My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? …

Psalm 42:7-9
Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me…

Psalm 43:2-5
For thou art the God of my strength: why dost thou cast me off? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? …

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Arise Broad Broadways City Find Found Heart Loved Loves Places Rise Round Search Seek Sought Soul Squares Streets Ways Wide
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Song of Solomon 3
1. the church's fight and victory in temptation
6. The church glories in Christ














I will arise now
The phrase "I will arise now" signifies a decisive moment of action and determination. In the Hebrew context, the word "arise" (קוּם, qum) often implies a sense of standing up with purpose or resolve. This reflects the bride's urgent longing and readiness to seek out her beloved. Spiritually, this can be seen as a call to believers to actively pursue a deeper relationship with Christ, not remaining passive but taking intentional steps towards spiritual growth and intimacy with the Savior.

and go about the city
The "city" in ancient Israelite culture was a place of community, commerce, and interaction. It represents the world around us, filled with distractions and challenges. The bride's willingness to venture into the city underscores her deep commitment and love, willing to face the chaos and noise of the world to find her beloved. For Christians, this can symbolize the journey of faith, navigating through life's complexities while seeking Christ amidst the world's distractions.

through its streets and squares
"Streets and squares" denote the public and open areas of the city, places where people gather and life unfolds. In the Hebrew tradition, these areas were central to community life. The bride's search in these places suggests a thorough and earnest quest, leaving no stone unturned. This can inspire believers to seek Christ in every aspect of life, both in private devotion and public witness, ensuring that their pursuit of Him is comprehensive and wholehearted.

I will search for the one my soul loves
The phrase "the one my soul loves" is deeply intimate, reflecting a profound and personal connection. The Hebrew word for "soul" (נֶפֶשׁ, nephesh) encompasses the entirety of one's being, indicating that this love is not superficial but deeply rooted in the core of her identity. This mirrors the believer's relationship with Christ, where love for the Savior is not just an emotional experience but a foundational aspect of one's existence, driving the pursuit of His presence and fellowship.

So I sought him but did not find him
The bride's experience of seeking but not finding her beloved introduces a moment of tension and longing. This can reflect the spiritual reality where believers sometimes feel distant from God, despite their earnest seeking. Historically, this resonates with the "dark night of the soul" experienced by many saints, a period of spiritual dryness or absence. Yet, this absence is not a sign of abandonment but an invitation to deeper faith and trust, encouraging believers to persist in their pursuit, knowing that God is faithful and will ultimately reveal Himself in His perfect timing.

Verse 2. - (I said) I 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. Delitzsch renders, "So I will arise, then." The words of the maiden are quite inconsistent with the hypothesis of a shepherd lover, for in that case she would seek him, not in the streets, but outside the city. Some think the city referred to is Jerusalem, with its markets and streets - the royal city (cf. Proverbs 7:11). If it is a dream, it will be unnecessary to decide to what city the words refer. The idea of the speaker would seem to be either that she was at the time within the walls of the city referred to, or that she was in some dwelling near. But a dream is not always consistent with the real circumstances of the dreamer. Taking it as a reminiscence of first love, it seems better to understand the city as only imaginary, or some neighbouring town in the north.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
I will arise
אָק֨וּמָה (’ā·qū·māh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect Cohortative - first person common singular
Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand

now
נָּ֜א (nā)
Interjection
Strong's 4994: I pray', 'now', 'then'

and go about
וַאֲסוֹבְבָ֣ה (wa·’ă·sō·wḇ·ḇāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative - first person common singular
Strong's 5437: To turn about, go around, surround

the city,
בָעִ֗יר (ḇā·‘îr)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5892: Excitement

through the streets
בַּשְּׁוָקִים֙ (baš·šə·wā·qîm)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 7784: A street

and squares.
וּבָ֣רְחֹב֔וֹת (ū·ḇā·rə·ḥō·ḇō·wṯ)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 7339: A broad open place, plaza

I will seek
אֲבַקְשָׁ֕ה (’ă·ḇaq·šāh)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect Cohortative - first person common singular
Strong's 1245: To search out, to strive after

the one
אֵ֥ת (’êṯ)
Direct object marker
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

I
נַפְשִׁ֑י (nap̄·šî)
Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion

love.
שֶׁאָהֲבָ֖ה (še·’ā·hă·ḇāh)
Pronoun - relative | Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 157: To have affection f

So I sought him
בִּקַּשְׁתִּ֖יו (biq·qaš·tîw)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - first person common singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1245: To search out, to strive after

but did not
וְלֹ֥א (wə·lō)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

find him.
מְצָאתִֽיו׃ (mə·ṣā·ṯîw)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4672: To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present


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OT Poetry: Song of Solomon 3:2 I will get up now and go (Song Songs SS So Can)
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