Song of Solomon
Song of Solomon
Song of Solomon belongs to Israel’s wisdom tradition, where poets and sages probe life before God with candor—joy and anguish, prudence and perplexity. It draws on ancient Near Eastern forms (proverb, dialogue, lyric, love song), yet reframes them with covenant reverence: the "fear of the Lord" as the beginning of wisdom. Song of Solomon balances lived experience with theological confession, refusing easy answers while inviting ordered desire and resilient hope. Careful artistry—parallelism, acrostics, collection headings—signals deliberate shaping for prayer and instruction. Communities have used Song of Solomon devotionally for centuries, finding words for seasons of gratitude, lament, and reorientation. The book’s influence reaches liturgy, hymnody, moral reflection, and pastoral care, modeling a faith that thinks, feels, and speaks honestly to God.
Annotated Bibliography (Chicago Style)
- Dillard, Raymond B., and Tremper Longman III. An Introduction to the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2006. Standard introduction covering authorship, date, literary features, and theology for each OT book.
- Alexander, T. Desmond. From Paradise to the Promised Land: An Introduction to the Pentateuch. 3rd ed. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2012. Thematic and historical overview of the Torah within the Old Testament story.