Did you know there are two books in the bible that don’t mention God by name? Any guesses what they might be? (Answer: Esther and Song of Solomon.)
Esther, of course, focuses on the story of Esther who becomes Queen alongside King Ahasuerus and whose bravery saves the Jewish people from the treachery of Haman. This story becomes the reason for the Jewish holiday of Purim. So, there is little debate about its importance in Hebrew scriptures.
The Song of Solomon or Song of Songs, from which today’s psalm reading comes, however, reads more like erotic poetry.
The voice of my beloved! Look, he comes, leaping upon the mountains, bounding over the hills. My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag. Look, there he stands behind our wall, gazing in at the windows, looking through the lattice.
And this is tame compared to some of the other passages.
Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth! For your love is better than wine, your anointing oils are fragrant, your name is perfume poured out; therefore the maidens love you. (Song of Solomon 1:2-3)
Upon my bed at night I sought him whom my soul loves; (Song of Solomon 3:1a)
Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm; for love is strong as death, passion fierce as the grave. (Song of Solomon 8:6a)
The eight chapters in this book converse back and forth between the voices of two lovers each describing the other, each talking about encounters and moments, and flashes of their love in poetic and sometimes downright erotic ways with no mention of God by name. There are the occasional cautions to the daughters of Jerusalem to not waken love or stir up love until it is ready and there are references to Solomon and physical, historical locations. Otherwise, this book is essentially a love poem. So then, why do we think this is included in Hebrew scriptures? How might Jewish people interpret this poetry as part of their life and relationship with God?
(Answer) Some see this text as representing the love between God and Israel/Jewish people. Erotic references are downplayed as passion and intimacy between God and the people. Some will read the entire text at the end of a Passover Seder or prior to the onset of the Jewish Sabbath to reinforce this understanding of the text as an allegory for the relationship between God and the people.
What about Christians? This book is also found in the Christian Bible. How might Christians interpret this book of the Bible as part of their life and relationship with God?
(Answer) There is actually significant literature which describes Jesus as Bridegroom and the Church as the Bride. This is reinforced by the imagery of the Song of Solomon. Of course, some theologians add the moral undertones that the bride is to be pure and virginal like Mary the mother of Jesus adding a whole other layer to the interpretation of this poetic book.
Ultimately, the Song of Solomon offers a reminder that what is contained in the Bible is complex and can be interpreted in diverse ways for diverse purposes. We don’t even need God named to find God’s presence if we open ourselves to potential metaphors. The question that should remain in our hearts and minds is how is the Holy Spirit inviting us to understand and embrace the message today? To what extent do the words enable us to find hope and encourage us to be a sign of hope for others?
May we be open to the love of God revealed in all of scriptures and share that love with the world. This we pray as we sing: 494 Not for Tongues of Heaven’s Angels.