This is
The phrase "This is" introduces the text as a distinct and significant work. It sets the stage for what follows, indicating that the content is of particular importance. In biblical literature, such introductions often serve to highlight the unique nature of the text, preparing the reader for a work that stands apart from others.

Solomon’s
Solomon, the son of King David and Bathsheba, is traditionally credited as the author of this book. Known for his wisdom, wealth, and extensive writings, Solomon's reign is often seen as a golden age in Israel's history. His authorship suggests a time of peace and prosperity, allowing for the exploration of themes such as love and beauty. Solomon's connection to the temple and his role in building it also provide a backdrop of spiritual significance, as the temple is a type of Christ, symbolizing God's presence among His people.

Song of Songs
The phrase "Song of Songs" is a Hebrew idiom indicating the superlative, meaning this is the greatest of all songs. This title suggests that the content is of the highest quality and importance, much like "Holy of Holies" refers to the most sacred place. The book is a poetic exploration of love, often interpreted as an allegory of Christ's love for the Church. The use of song and poetry reflects the cultural and historical context of ancient Israel, where oral tradition and lyrical expression were central to worship and storytelling. The Song of Songs is unique in its celebration of human love, yet it also points to the divine love between God and His people, a theme echoed throughout Scripture.

1. Solomon
The attributed author of the Song of Solomon, Solomon was the son of King David and Bathsheba. Known for his wisdom, wealth, and building projects, Solomon is a central figure in the Old Testament. His reign is often seen as a time of peace and prosperity for Israel.

2. Song of Songs
This is a poetic book in the Old Testament, also known as the Song of Solomon or Canticles. It is a collection of lyrical poems that celebrate love, often interpreted as an allegory of God's love for His people.

3. Israel
The nation over which Solomon reigned as king. The cultural and historical context of Israel during Solomon's time is essential for understanding the themes and imagery in the Song of Songs.Understanding Biblical Poetry
The Song of Songs is a unique book of poetry in the Bible. It uses rich imagery and metaphor to convey deep truths about love and relationships. Recognizing the poetic nature helps us appreciate its beauty and depth.

Allegory of Divine Love
Traditionally, the Song of Songs has been interpreted as an allegory of God's love for His people. This perspective encourages believers to reflect on the depth and passion of God's love for us.

Celebration of Marital Love
On a literal level, the Song of Songs celebrates the beauty and sanctity of marital love. It serves as a reminder of the importance of love, commitment, and intimacy in marriage.

Wisdom in Relationships
As a work attributed to Solomon, known for his wisdom, the Song of Songs invites us to seek wisdom in our relationships, valuing love, respect, and mutual admiration.Song of Solomon 1:1 contains the title of the book: literally, A song of the songs (Heb., Shir hashirim), which to Solomon, i.e., of which Solomon is author. This has been understood as meaning "one of Solomon's songs," with allusion to the 1,005 songs (1Kings 4:32) which that monarch composed. But when in Hebrew a compound idea is to be expressed definitely, the article is prefixed to the word in the genitive. So here not merely "a song of songs" (comp. holy of holies), i.e., "a very excellent song," but "The song of songs," i.e., the most excellent or surpassing song. For the question of authorship and date of poem, see Excursus I.

Verse 1. - The song of songs, which is Solomon's. This is certainly the title of the book which follows, although in our present Hebrew Bible it is the first verse of the book preceded by the shorter form, 'The Song of Songs.' The Septuagint has simply the title Ασμα, So that our English title in the Authorized Version, 'The Song of Solomon,' has no ancient authority. It is well altered in the Revised Version to 'The Song of Songs.' The word "song" (שִׁיר) does not necessarily convey the meaning. composed to be sung to music. If the performance of the words were chiefly in view, the word would have been מִוְמור, carmen, "lyric poem," "hymn," or "ode." The Greek Ασμα ἀσμάτων, and the Latin of the Vulgate, Canticum canticorum, accord with the Hebrew in representing the work as taking a high place either in the esteem of the Church or, on account of the subject, in the esteem of the writer. Luther expresses the same idea in the title he attaches to it, 'Das Hohelied,' that is, the chief or finest of songs. The reference may be to the excellence of the literary form, but probably that which suggested the title was the supreme beauty of the love which prompted the songs. The title may be regarded as applied to the whole book, or to the first portion of it giving the name to the whole. If it be a collection of separate songs strung together, as some think) by mere resemblance in style and subject, then the words, "which is Solomon's" (לְִשל מו אֲשֶׁר) apply to the first song alone. But the unity which is clearly to be traced through the book to the end makes it probable that the title is meant to ascribe the work to the authorship of Solomon. This is the opinion of the majority of critics. It must have come either from the wise king himself, or from some one of his contemporaries or immediate successors. The preposition is the lamedh auctoris. If the meaning were "referring to," another preposition (עַל) would have been employed. It has been remarked by Delitzsch that the absence of any description of Solomon as "King of Israel" or "son of David," as in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, confirms the view that Solomon himself was the sole author. Some have argued against the authenticity of the title on the ground that the longer form of the relative, אֲשֶׁר, is used in it, whereas in the book itself the shorter form, שְׁ, is found, but no dependence, can be placed on that argument regarded by itself, for the same writer employs both forms, as e.g. Jeremiah, who uses the longer form in his prophecies and the shorter in Lamentations. The shorter form is, in fact, the elder, being Old Canaanitish or Phoenician, אשׁ, which is a lengthened form of שׁ, and afterwards became אֲשֶׁר. One writer, however Fleischer), holds that the relative pronoun as a substantive origin, and compares it with the Arabic ithe and the Assyrian asar, meaning "track" or "place," like the German welcher, which comes from wo. But whether this be so or not, it is certainly unsafe to date any book by the form found in it of the, relative pronoun. We know that in poetry the abbreviated form is common. It was probably a North Palestine provincialism, as we see in the Book of Kings. It became common in prose writings after the Captivity because of the degradation of Hebrew, but it was not unknown before that time either in prose or poetry. With regard to the exact description of the poetic form of the Song of Songs, the difference among critics is considerable, but the question is scarcely worth discussing. There undoubtedly is unity of conception in the songs which are brought together, but it cannot be of importance to prove that there is dramatic unity strictly speaking; there is no dramatic procedure, nor can we suppose that there is any ultimate aim at dramatic representation. But the Exposition which follows will suffice to show that there are facts of history in the background of the poem; if the suggestions of the language and scenery be followed, the facts are very beautiful and even romantic - the love of the great king for one of his own subjects, a lovely northern maiden, whose simplicity and purity of character are a great attraction and lend much force to the religious sentiment of the song. In 1 Kings 5:12 we read that "the Lord gave Solomon wisdom, as he promised him." That divinely inspired wisdom enabled him, notwithstanding his own personal errors, to idealize and sanctify the lovely episode of his lifo which lies at the foundation of his poem. And the Church of God in every age has appreciated, more or less widely, the inspiration, both of matter and of form, which breathed in it. We are told that Solomon composed one thousand and five songs (1 Kings 4:32); whether this is a part of that collection or not we cannot certainly say, but that it is a mere fasciculus, or collection of separate songs, strung together by their general erotic character, is what we cannot believe. No doubt, as Dr. Mason Good has observed, the Arabian poets were accustomed to arrange their poems in what they compared to a string of pearls, but we can scarcely carry such a fact into the Bible, and deal with sacred books as mere literary remains. There must be a deep religious meaning in such language, and it is in accordance with Eastern usage that amatory songs should be so employed. What the meaning is we must persistently ask, and however much has been wrongly said in the past, while we believe in the Divine authority of the Old Testament we must not renounce the endeavour to find the Song of Songs worthy of its title and its place.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Solomon’s
אֲשֶׁ֥ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

Song
שִׁ֥יר (šîr)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7892: A song, singing

of Songs.
הַשִּׁירִ֖ים (haš·šî·rîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 7892: A song, singing


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OT Poetry: Song of Solomon 1:1 The Songofsolomon which is Solomon's (Song Songs SS So Can)