The greatest love poem in scripture — the love of God for His people.
Key themes: love, beauty, longing, devotion, covenant love.
| Author | Solomon (traditionally) |
|---|---|
| Date Written | c. 970–930 BC |
| Original Audience | Israel; the church |
Song of Solomon (also called Song of Songs, meaning 'the greatest song') is one of the most unusual books in the Bible — a collection of love poems between a man and a woman, celebrating romantic love, desire, beauty, and devotion. The Jewish rabbis debated whether it belonged in the canon; Rabbi Akiva declared it 'the Holy of Holies' of Scripture. Christian interpretation has consistently seen it as an allegory of God's love for Israel (in Jewish reading) or Christ's love for the church. Both meanings are valid: God created romantic love and declares it beautiful, and God's love for his people is consistently described in Scripture using the imagery of marriage. The famous opening verse — 'Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine' — is bracingly direct. Chapter 8:6-7 contains perhaps the book's greatest declaration: 'Love is as strong as death... Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away.'
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