The term "Marriage-song" refers to poetic compositions that celebrate the union of a bride and groom, often highlighting the sanctity, joy, and covenantal nature of marriage. Within the biblical context, the most prominent example of a marriage-song is the "Song of Solomon" (also known as the "Song of Songs"), which is a book in the Old Testament dedicated to the beauty and intimacy of marital love.

Biblical Context and Significance

The Song of Solomon is a unique book in the Bible, characterized by its poetic and allegorical language. It is traditionally attributed to King Solomon and is considered a celebration of love and desire between a bride and her bridegroom. The book is often interpreted as an allegory of God's love for His people, Israel, and in Christian theology, as a representation of Christ's love for the Church.

The Song of Solomon opens with the bride expressing her longing for her beloved: "Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth! For your love is more delightful than wine" (Song of Solomon 1:2). This expression of desire and affection sets the tone for the entire book, which is filled with vivid imagery and metaphors that describe the beauty and depth of marital love.

Themes and Imagery

The marriage-song in the Song of Solomon is rich with themes of love, beauty, and commitment. The imagery used throughout the book is drawn from nature and the agrarian culture of ancient Israel, including references to vineyards, gardens, and flocks. For example, the bridegroom praises the bride's beauty, saying, "Your eyes are doves behind your veil. Your hair is like a flock of goats streaming down Mount Gilead" (Song of Solomon 4:1).

The recurring theme of mutual admiration and desire between the bride and groom underscores the biblical view of marriage as a partnership characterized by love, respect, and fidelity. The book also emphasizes the exclusivity of marital love, as seen in the bride's declaration, "My beloved is mine and I am his; he grazes among the lilies" (Song of Solomon 2:16).

Covenantal Aspect

In the biblical worldview, marriage is not merely a social contract but a covenantal relationship ordained by God. The marriage-song reflects this understanding by portraying the union of the bride and groom as a sacred bond. This covenantal aspect is echoed in other parts of Scripture, such as Genesis 2:24, which states, "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh" .

Cultural and Liturgical Use

Throughout history, the Song of Solomon has been used in Jewish and Christian liturgies, particularly in wedding ceremonies, to highlight the divine blessing upon the marital union. Its poetic expressions of love and commitment serve as a reminder of the spiritual and emotional dimensions of marriage.

Conclusion

The marriage-song, as exemplified by the Song of Solomon, offers a profound and poetic exploration of the beauty and sanctity of marriage. Through its rich imagery and themes, it affirms the biblical view of marriage as a covenantal relationship marked by love, fidelity, and mutual admiration.

The Kingdom Undivided
... 23. 27. The Tonic Psalm. 32. 42. From Depths to Heights. 45. A Marriage Song. 46.
A Battle Hymn. 51. A Sinner's Open Confession. 65. The Farmer's Psalm. 84. ...
/.../palmer/a birds-eye view of the bible/iv the kingdom undivided.htm

Psalms
... humanity. With the partial exception of Psalm 45. which is a marriage song,
the songs of the Psalter are exclusively religious. Indeed ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/psalms.htm

Letter cvii. To Laeta.
... but not before: for, were she to read it at the beginning, she would fail to perceive
that, though it is written in fleshly words, it is a marriage song of a ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cvii to laeta.htm

Meditations of the Blessed State of the Regenerate Man after Death ...
... xlvii.4, 5, 6, 8.) And that marriage-song of John, "Let us be glad and rejoice,
and give honour to him; for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/3 meditations of the blessed.htm

Letter Liii. To Paulinus.
... Solomon, a lover of peace [1510] and of the Lord, corrects morals, teaches nature,
unites Christ and the church, and sings a sweet marriage song [1511] to ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter liii to paulinus.htm

Marriage-song (1 Occurrence)
Marriage-song. Marriages, Marriage-song. Married . Multi-Version
Concordance Marriage-song (1 Occurrence). Psalms 78 ...
/m/marriage-song.htm - 6k

Marriages (4 Occurrences)

/m/marriages.htm - 7k

Married (152 Occurrences)

/m/married.htm - 35k

Psalms (44 Occurrences)
... (v) "So of Loves" (Psalm 45) is appropriate as a literary title to a marriage
song. (4) Testimony of the Titles as to Authorship. ...
/p/psalms.htm - 54k

Songs (100 Occurrences)
... search: (See NIV). Psalms 78:63 Fire devoured their young men; and their
virgins had no marriage-song. (See NAS NIV). Psalms 95:1 ...
/s/songs.htm - 62k

Anem (1 Occurrence)

/a/anem.htm - 101k

Summary of the Song of Solomon - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about the concept of a common law marriage? | GotQuestions.org

Is Song of Solomon an allegory of God's love for Israel and/or Christ's love for the Church? | GotQuestions.org

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