WHAT A KISS MEANS

"Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth! For your love is better than wine" 

(Song of Solomon 1:2, ESV).

Notice here first that the bride says "let him kiss me." There is no mention of her initiating the kissing. She is the one being pursued, not her pursuing him. It would have been overbearing and unlady like for her to kiss him. "We love him, because he first loved us." (1 John 4:19, KJV). The truth is, it is God who pursues us. How can a sinner who hates God pursue Him? Second, we read in the text above about the Shulammite woman's desire for her lover's kisses. To her, his love is better than wine. The meaning here is simple. The young Shulammite bride is saying her groom's affectionate kisses are better than earthly pleasure. This truth is further brought out in verse 4: "We will rejoice in you and be glad; We will extol your love more than wine. Rightly do they love you." Here we see three actions the daughters of Jerusalem did. First, they "rejoiced" in the King's person; Second, they "extolled" [praised, exulted] the King's great love more than earthly pleasure; Third, they "rightly" love the King. They are commended for loving the King. His reputation won the respect, affection, and admiration of the Shulammite and the virgins. 

From verses 1 to 4 we are given the reasons why the Shulammite Bride and maidens love the King. 

1. The King's "love" is genuine, not FALSE. A love that brings security to the one loved.

2. The King's "oils" carry a bad smell, but a pleasing FRAGRANCE (see Song 4:10; John 12:3). There is nothing displeasing about his character. Is not Christ fragrant in His person? We read in John 12:3 that not only was the sinful woman’s worship costly, its fragrance was pleasing to the Lord Jesus as well. Yet, here we read in Song 4:10 of the fragrance of the king’s oils. His oils are also costly. So costly, that it cost God the Father to send His only beloved Son to die for our sins. The Father could say of the Son’s earthly life, "This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!" (Matt. 17:5, NASB). Is He not worth worshipping?

3. The King's "name" is not soiled, but is like oil FILTERED (see Eccl. 7:1; Prov. 22:1). The King was known for his good reputation. Neither fine oils or riches can ever compare to a good name. A reputation not soiled by deceit or corruption.