Strangely, the introduction to the book of Song of Songs is often seen as extremely important, even more so than any other book of the bible based on the problem the church has had in interpreting it’s meaning. Similar to the book of Psalms, this book is a collection of ancient Hebrew poems, and yet takes it’s turn as love poems which celebrate the experiences between a man and a woman deeply in love. They discuss beauty, power, agony, and their sexual encounters which people have often wondered was appropriate. Not only appropriate, but the book has no religious content, no references to prayer, the law, grace, sin, or salvation. It is for these reasons and others such as language and poetry that people have had such a hard time interpreting this book and left them wondering why it is included in the canon of scripture. The book has been interpreted from the oldest documented interpretation as allegorical to those who disagree and treat the book more naturally. Henry notes the dangers in wrongly interpreting the book:
It seems as hard as any part of scripture to be made a savour of life unto life, nay, and to those who come to the reading of it with carnal minds and corrupt affections, it is in danger of being made a savour of death unto death; it is a flower out of which they extract poison; and therefore the Jewish doctors advised their young people not to read it till they were thirty years old, lest by the abuse of that which is most pure and sacred the flames of lust should be kindled with fire from heaven, which is intended for the altar only. But II. It must be confessed, on the other hand, that with the help of the many faithful guides we have for the understanding of this book it appears to be a very bright and powerful ray of heavenly light, admirable fitted to excite pious and devout affections in holy souls, to draw out their desires towards God, to increase their delight in him, and improve their acquaintance and communion with him.
Matthew Henry. 1991. Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible, Complete and Unabridged in One Volume. Peabody, Massachusetts. Pg. 838.
The purpose of Song of Songs is, in part, that it speaks of an order of creating that is both pedagogical and eschatological. The author speaks of marriage as marriage was meant to be, as it was before the fall of man. The book is a song of praise and love strictly for the sake of love. Simply put, it is about human love and a love in marriage. Because of the way the world views sex, and to the degree that sex is exploited, it is no surprise that God would introduce such a book to this fallen world with His endorsement of His intentions of what marriage was meant to be.
Once again, as with most all books of wisdom literature, the question of who is the author is a complicated one. It has traditionally been attributed that Solomon was the author based on the title, six references to Solomon, and three references to an unnamed king. The problem is, however, that the book contains some unknown ambiguities about the construction of the heading, references to Solomon could have been historical, and his many wives and concubines do not help much when trying to describing the kind of love as described in the book. Then again as it is also often noted, maybe this was Solomon’s first love before he fell into the sin of polygamy.
A brief summary of the book starts off describing the courtship between a maiden and her friend who then become lovers. This is followed by a bridal procession, and then the wedding describing the beauty and purity of the bride, and then the consummation between the two. Not quite the latter half of the book describes a life of love. There are hesitancies and concerns by friends. This life of love chronicles affirmations, questions, the belongings and givings of love, longing and liberties, and then the seal of love and it’s strengths, and then ending with its conclusion.
Biblical Studies 