Song of Solomon 1:8 — Meaning and Application

Look not upon me, because I {am} black, because the sun hath looked upon me: my mother's children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; {but} mine own vineyard have I not kept.

Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest {thy flock} to rest at noon: for why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions? {as one...: or, as one that is veiled}

If thou know not, O thou fairest among women, go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock, and feed thy kids beside the shepherds' tents.

I have compared thee, O my love, to a company of horses in Pharaoh's chariots.

Thy cheeks are comely with rows {of jewels}, thy neck with chains {of gold}.