The Song of Songs stands apart from every other book in the Bible. It contains no laws, historical accounts, or prophetic warnings—it’s just love poetry. While it describes a human love story, Christian tradition has consistently recognized that it points beyond itself, revealing something about the way God loves us.

This verse captures the very heart of faith—not a dry list of doctrines or obligations but a relationship. Christianity is not merely about believing in God but about being loved by God. This love is not distant or indifferent. It is personal, faithful, and unshakable.

In the Hebrew Scriptures (aka the Old Testament), this kind of love is called hesed. It is a covenantal love, a love that never gives up.

Hesed is the love of a parent who stays up all night with a sick child, expecting nothing in return. It is the love of a spouse who remains faithful through years of hardship, even when things feel broken. It is the love of a friend who keeps showing up, even when we are at our worst.

This is God's love for us—a love that is not based on our perfection but on God’s promise. It is a love that remains even when we fail.

Jesus deepens this revelation when he tells his disciples:

This is agape love—a love that is entirely self-giving, willing to sacrifice for the beloved.

Agape is the firefighter who runs into a burning building to save a stranger. It is the grandparent who sacrifices their dreams so their grandchildren can thrive. It is the kind of love that bends down to wash the feet of another, even when it is undeserved.

This is the love that Jesus demonstrated on the Cross—a love that does not ask, “What do I get in return?” but rather, “What can I give?” It is a love that goes to the very end.

God’s love is not passive. It pursues, sacrifices, and stays. And the Song of Songs reminds us that this love is for you.

The Apple of God’s Eye: Being Seen and Cherished by God

The phrase “the apple of my eye” is an ancient expression of deep affection. It appears several times in Scripture, always describing God’s love for God’s people.

To be the apple of someone’s eye is to be the object of their deepest attention and care. The Creator of the universe, who placed the stars in the sky and formed the ocean's depths, looks at you with delight and tenderness. You are not just another person in the crowd. You are seen, known, and cherished.

This is hesed—the love that never lets go. This is agape—the love that gives everything.

This is the love that Song of Songs reveals. It is not just romance or poetic longing but a divine love that seeks, calls, and never stops loving us.

How Being Beloved Changes Everything

It’s one thing to know that God loves us in theory. It’s another to believe it deeply and let it shape our identity and lives. It changes everything when we truly embrace the reality that we are the beloved.

1. We no longer have to prove our worth. So much of our energy is spent trying to earn love—through achievements, appearances, or approval. But God’s love isn’t something we achieve; it’s something we receive. Hesed means God’s love is faithful even when we struggle. Agape means we are loved not because of what we do but because of who we are—God’s children.

2. We love others with greater depth. When we know we are deeply loved, we love differently. Hesed is the friend who stays through hard seasons. Agape is the spouse who forgives when it’s complicated. If we have been loved with this kind of love, we are called to love others the same way.

3. We find security in times of struggle. Life is filled with challenges—loss, disappointment, uncertainty. But if we are the beloved, we are never alone. Hesed means God’s love will not abandon us, even when we feel lost. Agape means His love carries us, even when we lack strength.

4. We are called to love as God loves. Jesus’ command to “love one another as I have loved you” (John 13:34) is not just an ideal but our mission. Hesed calls us to be faithful in love, even when inconvenient. Agape calls us to give of ourselves, even when it costs us something.

A Love Worth Celebrating

On Valentine’s Day, we exchange words of love, give thoughtful gifts, and remind the people in our lives that they matter. But the greatest love we can celebrate is the one that never fades, never fails, and never stops pursuing us.

The love of God is not abstract, distant, or impersonal—it is intimate, passionate, and authentic. Whether or not you receive flowers or chocolates this year, know this:

You are already deeply loved. You are the beloved. You are the apple of God’s eye.

Take a moment today to let that truth sink in. Rest in the love that God is offering you. And then share that love with the world.

Lord, help me to see myself as You see me—loved, cherished, and chosen. Teach me to rest in the truth that I am your beloved, and let that love shape how I live and love others. May my life reflect your hesed and agape love in the world. Amen.