Giving Compliments

Giving Compliments

Young Woman In Song Of Songs

Read: Song of Songs 4:1-7; 5:9-16

Justine took a final look in the mirror before heading downstairs to meet her husband and leave for the restaurant. In the past two weeks, she’d had her gray roots touched up, bought a new dress, and started on a new skin-care program. Not that she expected Harry to notice. How long had it been since he had commented on her appearance? Still, she couldn’t help wondering if he still found her attractive after thirty years of marriage. Justine stopped abruptly when she saw Harry smoothing his thinning hair in front of the hall mirror. Is he thinking the same thing?

The young couple in Song of Songs didn’t hesitate to lavish compliments on each other. Although some of the metaphors sound strange to us, both the man and the woman went into great detail in describing the beauty of each other’s hair, teeth, mouth, cheeks, neck, and body. The young Shulamite woman must have felt prized by her betrothed as he declared her “beautiful beyond words.” In turn, she said that he was “desirable in every way.”

How sad that many couples drop the habit of giving each other compliments as they grow older. Parents often stop praising their children when they reach their teen years and the parent-child relationship becomes more challenging. Old friends may neglect to share words of appreciation with each other. None of us ever become so secure that we no longer need to hear words of affirmation from those we care about.

God also wants to hear words of affirmation from us. All too often, we spend our prayer time listing our needs without expressing our appreciation for who he is. Praising God for his love, mercy, and kindness does more than acknowledge how much we value him; it changes our attitude as we focus on him rather than on our problems. Although God is truly “beautiful beyond words,” the least we can do is try to describe him.

I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart.

Psalm 86:12 (NKJV)