How to Read the Song of Songs
by Will Jackson
Charles Spurgeon said, “[The] Song of Solomon is the central Book of the Bible; it is the innermost shrine of divine revelation, the holy of holies of Scripture; and if you are living in communion with God, you will love that Book, you will catch its spirit, and you will be inclined to cry with the spouse, ‘Make haste, my beloved.’”[1]
If Spurgeon was right, then most of us are likely overlooking this amazing treasure.
In the Bible, the poetic books are designed to stir our emotions. God gives them as templates so we might experience Him the right way.
And there is no higher poetry than the Song of Songs.
In its introduction, we read, “The Song of Songs, which is Solomon’s.” (Songs 1:1)
To start, the Song was probably written by Solomon, but it’s almost definitely not about him.
Solomon’s love life is not hidden in the Bible. Though endowed with wisdom from God, he pursued the wisdom of the world and brought about immeasurable tragedy and scandal.
The Song is not that. It’s likely that Solomon wrote this song by the power of the Spirit, despite his sins. It’s also possible that the Spirit inspired someone else to write this song about a Solomon-type figure—the ideal Son of David.
Either way, God has something profound in store for us as we rehearse this song.
Verse 1 calls this the “Song of Songs.”
This is similar to how we might think about other phrases like “Holy of Holies” or “Lord of Lords.” This song is special. It is not some optional add-in to our Bibles—it’s THE Song of Songs.
Let’s continue in Chapter 1.
2 Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth!
For your love is better than wine;
3 your anointing oils are fragrant;
your name is oil poured out;
therefore virgins love you.
4 Draw me after you; let us run.
The king has brought me into his chambers.
(Songs 1:2-4)
Immediately, we are struck with the central motif of the music—love.
Okay, is this God’s guide for Valentine’s Day? Probably not.
So, then, why is this in our Bible?
You see, the Song of Songs is a love poem with a layered purpose.
On the surface, it’s a song about Christ-honoring romantic love. In other words, it’s a love song that depicts what Christ would approve in a romantic relationship—namely, a marriage.
Without a doubt, the book has a lot to say about what romantic and marital love should look like. We see language of fidelity, mutuality, self-sacrifice, and the reminder that love (i.e., sex) is primarily about hearts, not bodies.
But with all of its expectant and colorful language, some might ask, “Can unmarried people read it?” or “How about people who are especially tempted with lust?”
I believe the answer is yes, and here’s my recommendation for reading it for all its worth.
1. Read the Song alongside a healthy respect for sex.
We blush at some of its words because we have made sex taboo. Sex is designed by God as a beautiful expression of lifelong, committed love in marriage.
At the same time, we operate in an oversexualized culture. We might assume something that talks this openly about sex is contraband. But we’ve got to remember, sex is pure. We bring the distortion to it.
2. Read the Song in big chunks.
It’s a song, it’s not really meant to be dissected or consumed in parts, without staying connected to the broader whole. Taking it all in at once is most helpful, and you won’t get bogged down in the more colorful parts as easily.
3. Read the Song in community.
Engaging this book alongside mature, committed, gospel-centered Christians is the best way to read it. Whether you struggle with lust, shame, or attractions you don’t want, this book can be safe for you alongside trusted brothers or sisters.
Remember, for most of human history, individuals couldn’t pick up the Old Testament and read it in private. This wasn’t a book that only married couples could study together.
The Song of Songs, just like all the other books in the Bible, was read out loud in big group settings.
What I mean is this: the book exists for the assembly. It’s a book for the church.
4. Read the Song devotionally.
It would be a shame to spend time in this rich poetry and not be moved. The Song strives to paint a series of pictures, swirling images of love and beauty. Along the way, we may join the lovers in experiencing the highs and lows of anticipation and emotion. Practically, as we relate these pages to our spiritual relationship with God, we might ask questions like these:
What am I longing for?
What has captivated my affections?
Am I regularly experiencing warmth for God?
The Christian life is a journey sorting out an endless supply of disordered loves. The Song is here to help.
5. Read the Song by aiming for Jesus.
The Song points us to Christ, and this is the ultimate reason it’s in the Bible. On the surface, it is a song about Christ-honoring romantic love. Yet at the core, at the base layer, it’s a song about Christ-fulfilled spiritual love.The whole Bible works together to preach the message of Jesus.
It would be detrimental to suggest the Song exists as somehow adjacent to this primary purpose.
While it may contain helpful thoughts for human romance, it aims at a more ultimate relationship. In these pages, God uses a love song to stir and guide the spiritual affections of His people for Himself. Consider how the Scriptures develop this theme of love from beginning to end.
In fact, beginning with Genesis, the whole Bible anticipates a royal-divine wedding.
· A Wedding in Eden.
The Bible begins with a wedding. With the joining of Adam and Eve, they experience the first human marriage, yes, but really, they are the first humans to experience God’s covenantal love and intimacy with Him.
· An Adulterous Marriage.
Throughout much of the Old Testament, and especially in the Prophets, Israel’s relationship with Yahweh was depicted as tenuous. These special people of promise repeatedly ran after idols and scorned the One True God—their “Husband” (see Isaiah 54:4-8). But He would never give up on them. He would never stop pursuing them. Instead, God would leap over mountains to ensure that the covenant He made with Israel would be fulfilled.
· A Vision for Divine Love.
Through the poetry of the Old Testament, including select passages in the Psalms, Proverbs, and, of course, the Song of Songs, we read God’s invitation for Israel to reawaken their first love. He is their covenant keeper and, despite their spiritual adultery, He will redeem them. And, most importantly for our understanding, He will do it through a royal heir (see Psalm 45).
· A Perfect Bridegroom.
As the Old Testament closes, God’s people cling to the promise that He will forgive and redeem them. In the New, Jesus is the one who bounds over the hills. He is the true bridegroom the Song had anticipated. Just remember, on what occasion did Jesus perform his first miracle? It was at a wedding that he first demonstrated Himself as the Messiah who had come.
· A Mystery on Display.
In the decades following his earthly ministry, a generation of Christians wrestled to faithfully follow after Christ. In one of the inspired letters written to encourage and instruct the church, Paul anchors the marriage relationship in the love displayed by Christ and the church. With this text, God reveals something mysterious—marriage is meant to portray the gospel. In this way, earthly marriages are designed to point to the ultimate, eternal marriage (Ephesians 5:22-33).
· A Marriage Feast for Eternity.
Finally, at the end of the canon, we read about the beginning of eternity. In his glorious vision, John is overwhelmed by the sound of countless voices praising God, and celebrating the wedding of the Lamb to his bride. Let’s look at the text together. In Revelation 19, beginning in verse 6, we read:
Revelation 19:6-9.
6 Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. 7 Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; 8 it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. 9 And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.”
Let’s not miss this. God uses the vision of a marriage feast to help us comprehend our future with Jesus. He is the slain Lamb. He is the sure bridegroom. And we are the object of his forever-affection. Halleleujah!
God is using the whole Bible to draw us to see and experience His love. And this is why we have the Song of Songs.
The Bridegroom is coming soon. Let the Song stir your affections while you wait.
Recommended Resources
James Hamilton, “The Messianic Music of the Song of Songs: A Non-Allegorical Interpretation,” WTJ 68 (2006): 331-345.
J. A. Medders, “Your Soul Needs the Song of Solomon”, TGC.
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