Song of Solomon 1:1

O song of songs, the highest strain,

Of love’s sweet fire and fragrant rain.

A whisper born on sacred air,

Where hearts entangle unaware.

Let kisses fall like summer wine,

Thy love more rich than all the vine.

A kingly touch, a fragrant name,

Draws longing forth like holy flame.

Begin the tale, let passion sing,

Of bride and groom, of soul and king.

For in this verse, heaven has spun

The truest love beneath the sun.

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Berean Standard Bible

This is Solomon’s Song of Songs.

King James Bible

The song of songs, which is Solomon's.

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Song of Solomon 1:1, in the New International Version, states, “Solomon’s Song of Songs.” This succinct verse serves as the superscription to the Song of Solomon, also known as the Song of Songs, a unique book within the Hebrew Bible that celebrates romantic love through vivid, poetic imagery. As the opening line, it establishes the book’s authorship, genre, and thematic focus, setting the stage for an intricate exploration of human love, desire, and intimacy. To fully unpack this verse, we must examine its historical, cultural, theological, and literary dimensions, as well as its role in framing a work that has been interpreted both as a sensual love poem and a profound allegory of divine-human relationships.

The phrase “Solomon’s Song of Songs” begins with an attribution to Solomon, the renowned king of Israel (c. 970–930 BCE), son of David, celebrated for his wisdom, wealth, and prolific literary output (1 Kings 4:29-34). The Hebrew construction, shir hashirim asher lishelomo, translates literally as “The Song of Songs that is Solomon’s.” The term “Song of Songs” is a superlative expression, akin to “King of Kings” or “Holy of Holies,” indicating that this is the finest or most exquisite song, a masterpiece of poetic artistry. This title suggests that the work is not merely one song among many but the pinnacle of lyrical expression, distinguished by its beauty and emotional depth. The attribution to Solomon lends royal authority and prestige, positioning the text as a product of Israel’s Golden Age, a time of cultural flourishing when such a sophisticated work could plausibly emerge.

Historically, the association with Solomon aligns with his biblical reputation as a composer of songs (1 Kings 4:32 claims he wrote 1,005 songs) and a figure associated with love and marriage, given his many wives and concubines (1 Kings 11:3). However, scholarly consensus suggests that the Song of Songs is likely a composite work, possibly compiled or redacted in the post-exilic period (5th–3rd century BCE), with linguistic features like Persian and Aramaic loanwords pointing to a later date. The attribution to Solomon may be a literary device, similar to the ascriptions in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, intended to evoke his wisdom and romantic persona rather than assert literal authorship. This connection to Solomon situates the text within Israel’s wisdom tradition, though its focus on love rather than moral instruction sets it apart from other wisdom books like Proverbs or Job.

Theologically, Song of Solomon 1:1 raises intriguing questions about the place of a seemingly secular love poem in the canon of Scripture. The absence of explicit references to God in the Song (except possibly 8:6 in some interpretations) has led to diverse interpretive traditions. In Jewish tradition, the Song is often read allegorically, depicting the covenantal love between God and Israel, with the lover and beloved representing God and His people, respectively. This interpretation, rooted in texts like Hosea 2:14-20, where Israel is portrayed as God’s bride, was formalized in rabbinic exegesis and reflected in the Song’s liturgical use during Passover. In Christian tradition, the Song has been interpreted as an allegory of Christ’s love for the Church or the soul’s union with God, a view championed by figures like Origen and Bernard of Clairvaux. The attribution to Solomon supports these allegorical readings, as his wisdom and role as a Davidic king connect the Song to messianic themes, pointing forward to Christ, the ultimate Son of David (Ephesians 5:25-32). Yet, the verse also allows for a literal reading, celebrating human love as a divine gift, reflecting God’s design for intimacy and relationship (Genesis 2:24).

Literarily, Song of Solomon 1:1 functions as a title that signals the book’s poetic and lyrical nature. The term “song” (shir) indicates a musical or performative quality, suggesting that the text may have been sung or recited, possibly in a courtly or communal setting. The superlative “Song of Songs” underscores its artistic excellence, preparing readers for a work filled with vivid metaphors, sensory imagery, and dialogic exchanges between lovers. Unlike the narrative-driven books of the Hebrew Bible or the didactic tone of Proverbs, the Song is a collection of love poems, loosely structured around dialogues between a bride (often called the Shulammite, 6:13) and her beloved, with contributions from a chorus-like group. The verse’s brevity and grandeur create a sense of anticipation, inviting readers into a world of beauty, passion, and emotional intensity. The attribution to Solomon also evokes a royal context, casting the lovers as figures of nobility, whose love is both idealized and universal.

Culturally, the Song of Solomon reflects the ancient Near Eastern tradition of love poetry, with parallels in Egyptian and Mesopotamian texts, such as the Egyptian love songs from the New Kingdom period (c. 1550–1070 BCE), which similarly use nature imagery and dialogue to express romantic longing. In Israel, however, the Song’s celebration of love is framed within a monotheistic worldview, where human relationships are seen as part of God’s created order. The attribution to Solomon, a king known for his many marriages, may also reflect the cultural reality of royal harems, though the Song focuses on a singular, mutual love between two individuals, emphasizing fidelity and exclusivity (Song 8:6-7). The verse’s royal attribution elevates the poem’s status, suggesting that love, even in its most human form, is a subject worthy of a king’s attention and divine affirmation.

In the broader canonical context, Song of Solomon 1:1 connects to themes of love, covenant, and divine-human relationship across Scripture. The Song’s portrayal of mutual desire echoes the intimacy of the creation narrative, where man and woman are created for partnership (Genesis 2:18-25). Its imagery of gardens, vineyards, and springs recalls Eden, suggesting that love is a return to God’s original design. The allegorical interpretation aligns with prophetic depictions of God’s passionate love for Israel (Isaiah 62:5, Jeremiah 3:20) and finds fulfillment in the New Testament’s portrayal of the Church as Christ’s bride (Revelation 19:7-9). The Song’s celebration of human love also complements the ethical teachings of Proverbs and the existential reflections of Ecclesiastes, forming a triad of wisdom literature that addresses different facets of human experience—moral conduct, meaning, and intimacy.

The verse’s interpretive flexibility—allowing both literal and allegorical readings—has fueled its enduring significance. On a literal level, it affirms the goodness of romantic love and physical desire within the bounds of commitment, challenging ascetic tendencies that devalue the body. Allegorically, it invites reflection on the spiritual longing for God, where human love becomes a metaphor for divine intimacy. The attribution to Solomon bridges these readings, as his wisdom encompasses both the practical and the profound, grounding the Song in a theology that sees all of life as under God’s sovereignty.

In conclusion, Song of Solomon 1:1 is a concise yet richly layered introduction to a book that celebrates the beauty and complexity of love. By attributing the work to Solomon and declaring it the “Song of Songs,” the verse establishes its authority, artistry, and thematic focus. Historically, it evokes the cultural and literary milieu of ancient Israel, while theologically, it invites reflection on human love as a divine gift and a metaphor for God’s relationship with His people. Literarily, it sets the stage for a poetic masterpiece that blends sensuality, emotion, and spiritual depth. As the gateway to the Song of Solomon, this verse beckons readers into a celebration of love that is both earthly and transcendent, inviting them to explore its mysteries through the lens of divine wisdom.

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Beloved of the Lord, gathered in the presence of the Holy One, sealed by the Spirit and drawn near by the blood of the Lamb, let us now turn our attention to the first words of one of the most mysterious, majestic, and intimate books in all of holy Scripture—The Song of Songs, which is Solomon’s. These few words may seem simple, but they are rich with divine meaning. They are not the preface to a mere poem; they are the threshold to a sacred place, a place where human love reflects divine passion, where metaphor meets majesty, and where the longing of the soul finds its voice.

Let us not treat this book lightly. It is no accident that the Spirit of God preserved it in the canon of Scripture. This is not carnal poetry, nor secular romance, but holy fire wrapped in sacred verse. This is not a common song—it is the Song of Songs. Just as the Holy of Holies was the most sacred place in the temple, so this is the most exalted song in the treasury of Israel’s worship. It is the highest, the deepest, the most profound meditation on love—not just between man and woman, but between the Bridegroom and His bride, between Christ and His Church, between the Redeemer and the redeemed.

It begins not with a command, nor with a law, nor with a genealogy, but with a song. And what does this teach us? That the heart of God is not cold and distant. That the God who thunders from Sinai also sings over His people. That the One who is Judge of all the earth is also the Lover of our souls. The Bible begins in a garden with a marriage, and it ends in Revelation with a marriage supper. In between, God sings a song—a song of love, of desire, of pursuit, of union, and of delight. This is the song of the covenant, the song of redemption, the song that tells the story of a God who did not just save us from hell, but who draws us into communion with Himself.

“The Song of Songs, which is Solomon’s.” Solomon, the son of David, the king of peace, the builder of the temple, is here the pen through which the Spirit writes of love that surpasses knowledge. But we know that Solomon is a shadow, a type, a vessel. The greater than Solomon is Christ, the true Bridegroom, whose love is purer, deeper, and eternal. If Solomon sang of love, how much more does Jesus express it—not in ink, but in blood; not in poetry alone, but on a cross. The love of Christ is not theoretical—it is sacrificial. It is not passing—it is everlasting. He does not merely woo with words—He wins with wounds.

And this song is ours—not just to read, but to enter. For every believer, this is your story. You were pursued by the King. You were found in your unworthiness, and yet He called you beautiful. You were distant, and yet He drew you near. You were unfaithful, yet He remained faithful. You were clothed in rags, and He has adorned you with robes of righteousness. And even now, He is preparing you as a bride without spot or wrinkle or any such thing.

The Church is not a cold institution. It is a bride in love. It is a people who have heard the voice of the Bridegroom and said, “Let Him kiss me with the kisses of His mouth, for His love is better than wine.” This is no dead religion. This is living communion. This is intimacy with God, the kind that transforms, that awakens, that overflows. And how desperately we need this in our generation—a Church that does not merely serve from duty, but loves from the heart. A people who are not content to know about God, but who long to be with Him, to walk with Him, to please Him, to burn with holy affection.

This song also reminds us that love is not always easy. As the Song unfolds, we see moments of distance, of longing, of searching, of miscommunication. But the love remains. So too with our Lord. There are times when He seems hidden, when the soul aches with desire, when prayers seem unanswered. But the Bridegroom never leaves. His love is steadfast. His pursuit is constant. His voice still calls in the night: “Arise, my love, my beautiful one, and come away.”

Let us be a people who answer. Let us rise. Let us run after Him. Let us open when He knocks. Let us not delay in drawing near. For the day is coming when the partial shall give way to the full, when the longing shall end in union, when the song of earth shall give way to the wedding song of heaven.

So, Church of God, embrace the Song of Songs. Let it shape your prayer. Let it deepen your worship. Let it purify your love. Let it stir your hope. For the Bridegroom is coming. The voice that sings over you now will soon shout from heaven. And the song that began in Solomon’s day will reach its crescendo on the day when Christ returns and gathers His Bride to Himself forever.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

Amen.

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O Holy and Everlasting God, King eternal, full of glory and abounding in steadfast love, we come before You in holy awe and adoration, for You are not a God afar off, but the God who draws near. You are not only the Lord of hosts, robed in majesty, but also the Lover of our souls who pursues His bride with unrelenting passion and covenantal grace. You are the God of thunder and fire, but also the God of tenderness and intimacy, and we lift our hearts to You now in the spirit of the Song of Songs, which is Solomon’s, the highest and holiest song in the treasury of Your Word.

O Lord, we thank You that You have revealed Yourself not only in power but in love—not only as Creator, but as Bridegroom. We praise You that Your desire is not merely to rule over us but to dwell with us. You have not redeemed us merely to serve, but to belong. You have not called us out of darkness only to command us, but to draw us into the chambers of Your love. What is man, O Lord, that You are mindful of him? What is the house of dust that You would pour out upon us a song so sacred, so intimate, so divine?

We bless You for this Song of Songs, this divine melody hidden within the Scriptures, this whisper from heaven wrapped in human longing. We receive it not as the poetry of man, but as the breath of God. In it, we hear the language of heaven—desire, delight, pursuit, and union. We hear the voice of the Bridegroom calling to His bride. We hear the longing of the soul that has tasted love and cannot be satisfied with anything less than communion with the Beloved.

O Christ, You are the true Solomon, the greater Son of David, the Prince of Peace, the King whose beauty surpasses all. You are the One who sings over us with joy, who woos us with kindness, who calls us out of the wilderness into the garden of divine affection. You are the One who says, “Arise, My love, My beautiful one, and come away.” O Lord, give us ears to hear Your voice. Let not the noise of this world drown out the song of the Spirit. Let not the distractions of the flesh silence the sound of Your nearness. Speak again, O Bridegroom. Draw near and awaken our hearts.

We confess, Lord, that we have often treated Your love lightly. We have turned intimacy into routine. We have offered You our lips while withholding our hearts. We have stood in the outer courts when You have called us into the secret place. Forgive us. Cleanse us. Restore to us the fire of first love. Let the flame of devotion be rekindled upon the altar of our hearts. Let us not grow cold or complacent, but may our souls burn with holy desire to be near You, to know You, to please You.

Lord, awaken Your Church with this song. Let it not be a forgotten scroll, but a living call to intimacy. Let pulpits preach not only truth but passion, not only doctrine but desire. Let saints not only serve but love. Let worship rise not merely as sound but as sacrifice. Let tears fall, not from pain alone, but from the overwhelming sense of being loved by the Holy One. Let the Bride rise in beauty, clothed not in pride but in purity, adorned with the righteousness of Christ and the fragrance of worship.

We pray for every heart that feels distant, every believer who has wandered, every soul that has grown dull. O Lord, sing Your song over them again. Let them hear the rhythm of grace and be drawn back into Your arms. Let those who are broken know that You desire them. Let those who are ashamed know that You call them beautiful. Let those who are empty know that Your love is better than wine and more satisfying than any earthly joy.

Lord Jesus, Lover of our souls, prepare us for Your return. For the song that began with Solomon will find its fulfillment when the wedding trumpet sounds and the Bride is gathered to her Groom. Make us ready. Make us holy. Make us eager. Let our lamps be burning. Let our hearts be full. Let our hands be clean. Let our eyes be fixed on You.

Until that day, let us sing the Song of Songs with our lives—with our obedience, our worship, our prayers, our love. Let us be a people marked not just by truth but by intimacy, not just by works but by wonder, not just by knowledge but by longing.

All glory to You, O Divine Bridegroom. All praise to You, O King of Love. All honor to You, who gave Yourself for us, that we might be Yours forever.

Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus.

Amen.