A reflection on Song of Songs 6:10
Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Midmorning Prayer of the Liturgy of the Hours
©️2021 Gloria M. Chang
Bannered Troops
Who is this that comes forth like the dawn,
Liturgy of the Hours, Midmorning Prayer, Song of Songs 6:10
as beautiful as the moon, as resplendent as the sun,
as awe-inspiring as bannered troops?
Celestial Visions
Who is this that comes forth like the dawn, beautiful as the white moon, pure as the blazing sun, fearsome as celestial visions?
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Army With Banners
Who is this that looks forth like the dawn, fair as the moon, bright as the sun, terrible as an army with banners?
Revised Standard Version
Bannered Legions
Who is this who looks forth like the dawn, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, awesome as the bannered legions?
The Complete Tanakh (Hebrew Bible), ed. by Rabbi A.J. Rosenberg
Mary, the Banner of Victory
The poetic tribute of the Song of Songs to the “woman” radiant as the sun, moon, and starry legions paints an image of feminine strength radiating from the hand of the Divine Artist. The obscure subject in the Hebrew phrase ă-yum-māh kan-niḏ-gā-lō-wṯ evokes a celestial host, with the verb dagal meaning “to raise a flag” or “set up with banners” (Strong’s Concordance). This military imagery, also present in Song of Songs 6:4, suggests divine power, akin to the heavenly hosts fighting for Israel (cf. Judges 5:20).
In celebrating the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we honor the Mother of God, whose virginal strength and radiant purity inspire her children. Like a banner raised in victory, Mary leads us to her Son, the source of our salvation.
O Mary fair as the moon and pure as the sun,
Fearsome as bannered troops—the victory is won.
Traditional Chinese Translation
《萬福聖母馬利亞的誕生》
哦，馬利亞像月亮一樣美麗，像日頭一樣皎潔，
威武如展開旌旗的軍隊——旗開得勝。
Related posts:
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Mary, Mother of a New Genealogy
Happy Birthday, Blessed Mother of God. As the priest said at morning Mass today, “Give birth to Jesus again and again through our own words and actions.” Thank you, GMC, for the gift of your reflection.
Mary, the dawn,
Comes forth faithfully,
When she hears our pleas.
We pray our memorares,
She remembers every need.
Her heart of sorrows,
Holds human life precious.
As our gracious mother,
Our hope in this valley of tears,
We can rely on her to intercede.
Her mantle wraps us closely,
She presents us before God’s mercy.