In the Song of Solomon 3, the Shulammite refers to Solomon with the phrase, “Whom my soul loves,” four times (3:1-4. She also uses it in 1:7.). It is interesting that this phrase occurs mostly in this “dream story” where the Shulammite is concerned about Solomon’s level of commitment to her. Yet, the phrase all by itself says a lot about the Shulammite.
First, the Shulammite was not ashamed to openly declare her love. This was her man, and she would tell anyone (including the watchmen of the city, 3:3) that she was in love with him.
Second, she loved genuinely and deeply. The use of the word “soul” here is significant. It has the idea that “in the depth of her being” she was in love with Solomon. People can fake love, pretending that they really care for someone, but the Shulammite was as sincere as one can be.
Third, this expression shows that it was not a shared love. There is only room for one man with this kind of love. The Shulammite did not have other “love interests,” other men that she “kept on a string” just in case things didn’t work out with Solomon. She was madly in love with him, and only with him. Couples who succeed in marriage have this kind of love. They don’t have eyes for anyone else. They don’t want anyone else.
