Songs of Songs
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Introduction
Introduction
Each poetical book of the Old Testament has its own central focus.
Job Testing
Psalms Worship
Proverbs Wisdom
Ecclesiastes Purpose
We now examine Song of Songs, which focuses on love, a concept held as the greatest of Christian virtues in the Bible (; ; ; ). Of all the songs written by King Solomon ( says he wrote 1,005!), God chose this as Solomon’s best and placed it in the Holy Bible.
3 Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the Lord your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.
27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
32 And he spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five.
A famous Jewish Rabbi, Akiba, once claimed that “The whole world is not worth the day on which the Song of Songs was given to Israel; for all the Scriptures are holy, but the Song of Songs is the Holy of Holies.” Some 1,200 years later, Bernard of Clairvaux demonstrated a similar reverence for this book when he preached 86 sermons from its first two chapters alone!
The Author of The Song of Songs
The Author of The Song of Songs
The Song of Songs is often called The Song of Solomon —demonstrating who is the assumed author of the book. In fact, the first verse of the book names Solomon as the writer. Six other verses refer to him by name (; , , ; ).
5 I am black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, As the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon.
7 Behold his bed, which is Solomon’s; Threescore valiant men are about it, Of the valiant of Israel.
9 King Solomon made himself a chariot of the wood of Lebanon.
11 Go forth, O ye daughters of Zion, and behold king Solomon With the crown wherewith his mother crowned him In the day of his espousals, And in the day of the gladness of his heart.
11 Solomon had a vineyard at Baal-hamon; He let out the vineyard unto keepers; Every one for the fruit thereof was to bring a thousand pieces of silver. 12 My vineyard, which is mine, is before me: Thou, O Solomon, must have a thousand, And those that keep the fruit thereof two hundred.
Some argue that a king who had 700 wives and 300 concubines could not have written a book that so wonderfully upholds fidelity in marriage. Commentators have suggested that the be- loved in this song was Solomon’s first wife. However, it is evident by the text that Solomon wrote the Song of Songs when his total number of wives and concubines numbered 140 (). Perhaps the best solution to this perplexing problem is to recognize that God works through imperfect messengers to convey His profound messages. There was never a perfect prophet, priest, or king in the Bible, other than Jesus Christ. Solomon’s book has redeeming value because it points us to our Savior. In the same way, our lives have redeeming value when we tell others the way of salvation. If God only worked through perfect instruments to accomplish His purposes, we would have no poetical books to study, no Bible in which to place them, and no message of life for our needy world.
8 There are threescore queens, and fourscore concubines, And virgins without number.
The Interpretation of The Song of Songs
The Interpretation of The Song of Songs
Perhaps no book in the Bible has been more subjectto debate overpropermethods of interpre- tation than the Song of Songs. There have generally been two approaches to the interpretation of this book: symbolic and practical.
Symbolic: In which the characters and story-line portray essential truths about the love of God for His people, and their rightful response.
Practical: In which this book is viewed as a collection of poetry about romance, marriage, and sexuality, providing sound advice for dating and marriage. Perhaps God’s intention is for us to benefit from both approaches.
sexuality, providing sound advice for dating and marriage. Perhaps God’s intention is for us to benefit from both approaches. The Symbolic Approach
sexuality, providing sound advice for dating and marriage. Perhaps God’s intention is for us to benefit from both approaches. The Symbolic Approach
The Symbolic Approach
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sexuality, providing sound advice for dating and marriage. Perhaps God’s intention is for us to benefit from both approaches. The Symbolic Approach
Those who have taken a symbolic approach to the Song of Songs have recognized Solomon’s love for his bride as a type, or picture, of God’s love for His people. This approach has inspired some of the most dedicated saints to endure hardship and persecution through an ever-deepening love for God.
love for his bride as a type, or picture, of God’s love for His people. This approach has inspired some of the most dedicated saints to endure hardship and persecution through an ever-deep- ening love for God.
Solomon, it appears, fell in love with a beautiful young woman working in the vineyards. He decided to win her trust and love by disguising himself as a peasant worker. He worked along side her, gained her trust, and then asked her hand in marriage. Once she accepted, he revealed his true identity and brought her back to his palace for a grand wedding. The Jewish Rabbis, from the earliest times, recognized this book as a picture of the marriage relationship God entered into with the Jews through the covenant on Mount Sinai. Indeed, Hosea and the other prophets often referred to the Israelites as adulterers, harlots, and violators of a marriage contract when their hearts turned from God.
Christians accept the Jewish interpretation and have also recognized the further parallel of Christ and the Church. Our Lord, the King of Kings, has become one of us. He walked and worked with us, and won our trust. He asks each of us to give our hearts to Him in a relationship that models the intimacy and longevity of marriage. One day He will come back to bring us to His kingdom for a great wedding ().
The symbolic approach recognizes the Song of Songs as a great book of devotion. Those who adopt this approach, however, should avoid extremes. Many of the early Church fathers, including Origen, Jerome, and Augustine, have found hidden and symbolic meaning in nearly every aspect of the text. The difficulty of using the symbolic approach like a microscope is that we have no way of being sure what is the correct interpretation. For example, in , Solomon describes his maiden’s eyes as extremely beautiful, “like doves.” Origen noted that doves stay faithful to their mates, and he taught that the Church should be faithful to Christ. In contrast, Bernard of Clairvaux noted that doves have solitary, retiring habits, and, according to his interpretation of this verse, he taught that Christians need to be separated from the world and to live solely for the Lord.
15 Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; Thou hast doves’ eyes.
The Practical Approach
The Practical Approach
Some regard the Song of Songs as an anthology, or collection, of poetical sonnets about love and marriage. As such, the descriptions of body parts and lovemaking are recognized as essential components to the only book in the Bible that gives specific and rather comprehensive guidelines for romance and marriage in the Bible. The Jews often regarded the book in this way, guarding their youngsters from reading these pages on love before their time. Origen and Jerome taught that the Jews did not permit their young men to read the Song of Songs until they were at least 30 years old!
Let the words of Origen of Alexandria, from the third century of the Christian era, reveal what may have been the driving reason for spiritualizing every aspect of this book: “I advise and counsel everyone who is not yet rid of the vexations of the flesh and blood and has not ceased to feel the passions of this bodily nature, to refrain from reading the book and the things that will be said about it.”
Let the words of Origen of Alexandria, from the third century of the Christian era, reveal what may have been the driving reason for spiritualizing every aspect of this book: “I advise and counsel everyone who is not yet rid of the vexations of the flesh and blood and has not ceased to feel the passions of this bodily nature, to refrain from reading the book and the things that will be said about it.”
Let the words of Origen of Alexandria, from the third century of the Christian era, reveal what may have been the driving reason for spiritualizing every aspect of this book: “I advise and counsel everyone who is not yet rid of the vexations of the flesh and blood and has not ceased to feel the passions of this bodily nature, to refrain from reading the book and the things that will be said about it.”
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Let the words of Origen of Alexandria, from the third century of the Christian era, reveal what may have been the driving reason for spiritualizing every aspect of this book: “I advise and counsel everyone who is not yet rid of the vexations of the flesh and blood and has not ceased to feel the passions of this bodily nature, to refrain from reading the book and the things that will be said about it.”
Today, a well-guided study of this book can be a helpful aspect of premarital counseling. The Song of Songs also confronts two extreme and erroneous points of view on marriage. It gives answer to the ascetics (those who practice self-denial and lead simple, non-materialistic lives for religious reasons) who claim it is wrong to be married (). It also quiets the hedonists, who believe that the satisfaction of human lust is of primary importance (). The Song of Songs upholds proper and wedded love as a wonderful creation of God. It also warns against the dangers of sexuality outside the bonds of marriage (; ; ). Many scholars note that Song of Songs follows a logical progression, encouraging a growth toward true maturity in love:
3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
7 I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, By the roes, and by the hinds of the field, That ye stir not up, nor awake my love, till he please.
5 I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, By the roes, and by the hinds of the field, That ye stir not up, nor awake my love, till he please.
8 We have a little sister, and she hath no breasts: What shall we do for our sister in the day when she shall be spoken for? 9 If she be a wall, we will build upon her a palace of silver: And if she be a door, we will inclose her with boards of cedar.
Early Courtship
Day of Marriage
Deepening Love
The Nature of Love
Epilogue: Looking Back
A Holistic Approach
A Holistic Approach
Throughout history, believers have benefited from both the symbolic and practical approaches to the Song of Songs. There is no reason to do less ourselves. We find, in fact, that most of the Old Testament is meant to be understood practically and literally and yet is packed with sym- bolism and analogy about God’s plan of salvation.
Final Thought
Final Thought
When we read the Song of Songs, our tendency is to ask how it should be interpreted. Perhaps, the better question is how people around us interpret our Christian witness? Do we so exhibit the love of God in our marriages, families, and churches that people are encouraged through us to believe that God is love? It has been said that we are the only translation of the Bible some people will ever have the opportunity to read. Think about it.
Devotion (Personal Study)
Devotion (Personal Study)
This lesson, from the series “Lessons For Life,” is designed to supplement your personal and small group Bible study. The devotion questions are written for your personal study. The dis- cussion questions are especially for smallgroups. Members who answerthe questions ahead of time can bring more insight into their small group meeting. The digging deeper questions are
for those who wish for more personal or small group study. As you spend time with God, may His Word enrich your life and enhance your daily walk with Him. BEFORE YOU BEGIN, PRAY.
Devotion (Personal Study)
Devotion (Personal Study)
1. Read the commentary portion of this study guide. What thought from the commentary did you find interesting or helpful?
2. Read . Why do you this book is entitled Song of Solomon by some, and Song of Songs by others?
1 The song of songs, which is Solomon’s.
The title Song of Songs suggests that this is a song above all others. Are you surprised that such a romantic and apparently sensuous book would be in the Bible? Why or why not?
3. Read . This is generally recognized as a story of the love between King Solomon and a beautiful Shulammite woman. Some Christians say it is in the Bible to teach us about proper love and romance between humans. Others say it is in the Bible as an analogy of Christ and the Church to teach us about God’s love for us. Which do you think is right? Why?
2 Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: For thy love is better than wine. 3 Because of the savour of thy good ointments Thy name is as ointment poured forth, Therefore do the virgins love thee. 4 Draw me, we will run after thee: The king hath brought me into his chambers: We will be glad and rejoice in thee, We will remember thy love more than wine: The upright love thee. 5 I am black, but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, As the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon. 6 Look not upon me, because I am black, Because the sun hath looked upon me: My mother’s children were angry with me; They made me the keeper of the vineyards; But mine own vineyard have I not kept. 7 Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, Where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon: For why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions? 8 If thou know not, O thou fairest among women, Go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock, And feed thy kids beside the shepherds’ tents. 9 I have compared thee, O my love, To a company of horses in Pharaoh’s chariots. 10 Thy cheeks are comely with rows of jewels, Thy neck with chains of gold. 11 We will make thee borders of gold With studs of silver. 12 While the king sitteth at his table, My spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof. 13 A bundle of myrrh is my wellbeloved unto me; He shall lie all night betwixt my breasts. 14 My beloved is unto me as a cluster of camphire In the vineyards of En-gedi. 15 Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; Thou hast doves’ eyes. 16 Behold, thou art fair, my beloved, yea, pleasant: Also our bed is green. 17 The beams of our house are cedar, And our rafters of fir.
4. Read . Contemplate the phrase, “His banner over me is love” (). Read and list at least five of the benefits of God’s love toward us. Add a few personal examples of how God displays His love toward you.
1 I am the rose of Sharon, And the lily of the valleys. 2 As the lily among thorns, So is my love among the daughters. 3 As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, So is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, And his fruit was sweet to my taste. 4 He brought me to the banqueting house, And his banner over me was love.
4 He brought me to the banqueting house, And his banner over me was love.
A Psalm of David. 1 Bless the Lord, O my soul: And all that is within me, bless his holy name. 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all his benefits: 3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; Who healeth all thy diseases; 4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; Who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; 5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; So that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s. 6 The Lord executeth righteousness And judgment for all that are oppressed. 7 He made known his ways unto Moses, His acts unto the children of Israel. 8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. 9 He will not always chide: Neither will he keep his anger for ever. 10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. 11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, So great is his mercy toward them that fear him. 12 As far as the east is from the west, So far hath he removed our transgressions from us. 13 Like as a father pitieth his children, So the Lord pitieth them that fear him. 14 For he knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are dust. 15 As for man, his days are as grass: As a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. 16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; And the place thereof shall know it no more. 17 But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, And his righteousness unto children’s children; 18 To such as keep his covenant, And to those that remember his commandments to do them. 19 The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; And his kingdom ruleth over all. 20 Bless the Lord, ye his angels, That excel in strength, that do his commandments, Hearkening unto the voice of his word. 21 Bless ye the Lord, all ye his hosts; Ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure. 22 Bless the Lord, all his works In all places of his dominion: Bless the Lord, O my soul.
5. Read . Which part of the Great Command of Christ do you struggle with most? Why?
Discussion (Small Group Study)
Discussion (Small Group Study)
6. Read all, or portions of, . Have you written romantic poetry before? If you are comfortable doing so, share what inspired you to attempt to write such poetry.
1 Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; Thou hast doves’ eyes within thy locks: Thy hair is as a flock of goats, that appear from mount Gilead. 2 Thy teeth are like a flock of sheep that are even shorn, which came up from the washing; Whereof every one bear twins, and none is barren among them. 3 Thy lips are like a thread of scarlet, and thy speech is comely: Thy temples are like a piece of a pomegranate within thy locks. 4 Thy neck is like the tower of David Builded for an armoury, Whereon there hang a thousand bucklers, all shields of mighty men. 5 Thy two breasts are like two young roes that are twins, Which feed among the lilies. 6 Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, I will get me to the mountain of myrrh, and to the hill of frankincense. 7 Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee. 8 Come with me from Lebanon, my spouse, with me from Lebanon: Look from the top of Amana, from the top of Shenir and Hermon, From the lions’ dens, from the mountains of the leopards. 9 Thou hast ravished my heart, my sister, my spouse; Thou hast ravished my heart with one of thine eyes, With one chain of thy neck. 10 How fair is thy love, my sister, my spouse! How much better is thy love than wine! And the smell of thine ointments than all spices! 11 Thy lips, O my spouse, drop as the honeycomb: Honey and milk are under thy tongue; And the smell of thy garments is like the smell of Lebanon. 12 A garden inclosed is my sister, my spouse; A spring shut up, a fountain sealed. 13 Thy plants are an orchard of pomegranates, with pleasant fruits; Camphire, with spikenard, 14 Spikenard and saffron; Calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; Myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices: 15 A fountain of gardens, a well of living waters, And streams from Lebanon. 16 Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; Blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden, And eat his pleasant fruits.
7. If you are married, do you think the spark of romance could use strengthening in your relationship? Share practical insights that make that happen, including thoughts from favorite books, inspiring conferences, or other resources.
8. Do you think our love for God should include a sense of romance? If so, in what way?
How can we deepen our love relationship with God?
9. It has been said that mature love puts the other person’s needs and desires above our own. Do you see a progression of maturity in the love relationship expressed in the verses below? Explain.
“My lover is mine and I am his…”
“I am my lover’s and my lover is mine…”
“I belong to my lover, and his desire is for me.” .
10. Complete this thought: “To me, the difference between a puppy love for God and a mature Christian love is…”
puppy love for God and a mature Christian love is…”
11. There are illusions to the importance of fidelity and chastity outside of marriage in the Song of Songs (; ; ). What do you think are some of the main reasons our society has veered from this standard? What can we do about it?
7 I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, By the roes, and by the hinds of the field, That ye stir not up, nor awake my love, till he please.
5 I charge you, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, By the roes, and by the hinds of the field, That ye stir not up, nor awake my love, till he please.
8 We have a little sister, and she hath no breasts: What shall we do for our sister in the day when she shall be spoken for? 9 If she be a wall, we will build upon her a palace of silver: And if she be a door, we will inclose her with boards of cedar.
Digging Deeper (Further Study)
Digging Deeper (Further Study)
12. Read . What do these verses say about the strength of true love?
6 Set me as a seal upon thine heart, As a seal upon thine arm: For love is strong as death; Jealousy is cruel as the grave: The coals thereof are coals of fire, Which hath a most vehement flame. 7 Many waters cannot quench love, Neither can the floods drown it: If a man would give all the substance of his house for love, It would utterly be contemned.
What other verses or stories in the Bible come to mind as you contemplate the love of God?
13. Why do you think God included the Song of Songs as part of the Holy Scripture?
What is the most important thing you have learned as a result of this study?