Suzanne Looyenga, wife, mother, and poet, is a member of the Protestant Reformed Church of South Holland, Illinois. The poem is based on a communion sermon that had the Song of Solomon 2:4 as its text: “He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.”

Beloved Bridegroom,

I am come,

Carried by Thee, my love, my life,

Unto this house of banqueting, this house of wine,

For Thou hast called me wife

And I am Thine.

Here o’er me floats the banner of Thy love

To all proclaiming that my place has been secured.

Here as Thy pledge of love and faithfulness

Thou bidst me take of wine that Thou hast poured:

The vintage of Thy sacred press.

And so I deeply drink

And find

Within this cup dwells sacrificial love of Thine.

And tasting of it, to my joy, I find I drink of Thee.

O love that dwells within—that now is mine!

This is too much to bear!—O comfort me!