Song of Songs: The Song is a parable which speaks about the love between a bridegroom and his bride. But the text does not clearly indicate who this groom and bride might be. Various people have explained the text differently. Some like Theodore of Mopsuestia have said that the groom is literally Solomon, and the bride is the daughter of Pharaoh whom he desired for his wife. Hebrew interpreters say that this book is a parable which depicts the love between God and the Jews, a love which was promised to them at the giving of the Law, in Exodus 20, when God claimed them as the bride whom he desired. Catholic expositors commonly say that this book depicts the love between Christ and the Church, understanding the Church as an entity separate from the synagogue. Perhaps the groom should be understood as God. The bride, then, is the Church, embracing the circumstances of both Testaments. For just as there is one faith held by modern and ancient people, though there are differences in how cle...
How to Read the Song of Songs
When reading the book of the Song of Songs one will find that it concerns the love between a Bridegroom and his Bride. Sometimes the words being said are coming from the Bridegroom while other times the words are coming from the Bride. It is not always easy to determine which one is the one speaking, and not all interpreters have been in an agreement concerning that. Nor have interpreters had the same understanding who the Bridegroom and the Bride are.
When Solomon wrote the Songs, what did he have in mind? Was his intentions for it to concern him and his human bride, or did he have something else in mind? Some modern interpreters would put a lot of emphasis upon what Solomon had in mind when he wrote this book, but the most important thing to remember is that Solomon wrote this with his hand, but the Holy Spirit is the Supreme Author. The thoughts in Solomon’s mind while writing the Songs are not nearly as important as the message that the Holy Spi...
This Book was written by Solomon and composed throughout from beginning to e mystically, by way of enigmatical allegory for the meaning of its doctrines is not open but hid.
Nevertheless, if diligently sought after, it is found wherefore it becomes those who have understanding, to address them selves to the whole of this book as to a allegory, lest, through the ignorance of the unlearned, the things spoken in it fall into contempt.
It is called the Song of Songs, because it comes after other songs, but after it no other is to be expected; by other, I mean not book, but things signified in the book. What I say is this: All Divine Scripture prophesies of the descent of the Word to us, and of His coming in the Flesh. For this is the will of God; and in the Prophets, and in all Holy Scripture this is primarily set forth. But to this Divine theme they add discourses concerning the nations, Babylon, Damascus, Moab, and others; and in every part of Scripture they rebuke sinners, and the ...
SERMON 1 ON THE TITLE OF THE BOOK
The instructions that I address to you, my brothers, will differ from those I should deliver to people in the world, at least the manner will be different. The preacher who desires to follow St Paul's method of teaching will give them milk to drink rather than solid food, and will serve a more nourishing diet to those who are spiritually enlightened: "We teach," he said, "not in the way philosophy is taught, but in the way that the Spirit teaches us: we teach spiritual things spiritually." And again: "We have a wisdom to offer those who have reached maturity," in whose company, I feel assured, you are to be found, unless in vain have you prolonged your study of divine teaching, mortified your senses, and meditated day and night on God's law. Be ready then to feed on bread rather than milk. Solomon has bread to give that is splendid and delicious, the bread of that book called "The Song of Songs." Let us bring it forth then if you please, and break i...
Let. Hebrew yishakeni, (Haydock) "kiss or instruct me "as if to insinuate that we must raise our thoughts from carnal to spiritual things.
The. Hebrew, "kisses. "
His mouth. Others I reject. (Menochius)
The synagogue prays for Christ's coming, as the Church does for his glorious appearance. (Worthington)
The figures of the law and predictions afford not satisfaction; only the Messias can bring it to mankind. (Origen)
They shall all be taught by God, John vi. 45., and Hebrews i. 2. (Haydock)
Breasts. Hebrew also, "loves. "But the former is the primary signification of (Menochius) dodec. Christ, in his divine and human nature, is the source of all our good. His graces are manifested. He instructs and feeds us with the truths contained in Scripture, and in tradition, (Haydock) or in the Old and New Testament. (Ven. Bede)
Spiritual delights are to be preferred before all terrestrial ones. From the incarnation of Christ, and sanctification of man, all other graces proceed. (Tirinus)
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For thus is it called the Canticle of Canticles, inasmuch as it is above every canticle that Moses and Mary in Exodus and Isaiah and Habakkuk and others sang. These are better canticles because they give praise to the Lord with joyful mind and soul for the liberation of the people, or for their conversion, or in gratitude for the divine works. Here they are superior also because the voice of the singing church and of God is heard. Because the divine and human are united with one another, therefore, it is called the Canticle of Canticles, that is, the best of the best. - "Explanation of the Song of Songs 1.2"
Another Solomon is signified here: one who is also descended from the seed of David according to the flesh, one whose name means peace, the true king of Israel and builder of God’s temple. This other Solomon comprehends the knowledge of all things. His wisdom is infinite and his very essence is wisdom, truth, as well as every exalted, divine name and thought. [Christ] used Solomon as an instrument and speaks to us through his voice first in Proverbs and then in Ecclesiastes. After these two books he speaks in the philosophy set forth in the Song of Songs and shows us the ascent to perfection in an orderly fashion.…
It is not accidental, I think, that the book is ascribed to Solomon. This serves as an indication to readers to expect something great and divine.…
Proverbs teaches in one way and Ecclesiastes in another; the philosophy of the Song of Songs transcends both by its loftier teaching. - "Homilies on the Song of Songs 1"
For the only ones extant are Proverbs, and Wisdom, and Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Songs. What then? Does the Scripture speak falsely? God forbid. But the matter of his writings was various, as is shown in the phrase Song of Songs; for that indicates that in this one book he digested the contents of the 5, 000 songs. In the days moreover of Hezekiah, there were some of the books selected for use, and others set aside. Whence the Scripture says, These are the mixed Proverbs of Solomon, which the friends of Hezekiah the king copied out. And whence did they take them, but out of the books containing the 3, 000 parables and the 5, 000 songs? Out of these, then, the wise friends of Hezekiah took those portions which bore upon the edification of the Church. And the books of Solomon on the Parables and Songs, in which he wrote of the physiology of plants, and all kinds of animals belonging to the dry land, and the air, and the sea, and of the cures of disease, Hezekiah did away with, becaus...
Solomon, a lover of peace and of the Lord, corrects morals, teaches nature, unites Christ and the church, and sings a sweet marriage song to celebrate that holy bridal. - "Letter 53.8"
Let him kiss me: The church, the spouse of Christ, prays that he may love and have peace with her, which the spouse prefers to every thing delicious: and therefore expresses (ver. 2) that young maidens, that is the souls of the faithful, have loved thee.
This Book is called the Canticle of Canticles, that is to say, the most excellent of all canticles: because it is full of high mysteries, relating to the happy union of Christ and his spouse: which is here begun by love; and is to be eternal in heaven. The spouse of Christ is the church: more especially as to the happiest part of it, viz., perfect souls, every one of which is his beloved, but, above all others, the immaculate and ever blessed virgin mother.
