What verse in Song of Solomon is about tears?
By CopticBot.ai (Coptic Space Inc.) · Last reviewed 2026-10-10
In the Song of Solomon (Song of Songs), there is a specific and powerful verse that describes the effect of the bride’s eyes and her gaze upon the Bridegroom (Christ).
The verse you are looking for is Song of Solomon 6:5:
"Turn away your eyes from Me, for they have overcome Me."
Theological Interpretation
In the Coptic Orthodox tradition, the Song of Solomon is interpreted allegorically as the relationship between Christ and the Church, or Christ and the individual soul.
The Fathers of the Church, such as St. Origen and St. Gregory of Nyssa, explain this verse as follows:
- The Power of Repentant Tears: When the soul looks toward God with eyes full of tears (repentance and love), God speaks to the soul as if He is "overcome." This does not mean God has a weakness, but rather that His immense love and compassion are moved by the humility and the "broken and contrite heart" of the believer.
- The "Violence" of Prayer: We often say that the kingdom of heaven suffers violence (Matthew 11:12). Our tears are considered a holy "violence" that "forces" the mercy of God. When the Bridegroom says, "Turn away your eyes," it is a poetic way of expressing how deeply touched He is by the soul's devotion and its weeping for His presence.
- The Spiritual Gaze: In Coptic spirituality, the "eyes" represent the mind and the heart's focus. When our focus is entirely on Him, even in our mourning and struggles, it draws His divine attention and grace immediately.
In the Bohairic Coptic tradition of prayer, we often acknowledge that our Lord is the Physician of our souls and bodies. He sees the secret tears shed in the inner closet of prayer, and as this verse suggests, He is captivated by the soul that seeks Him with such intensity.