In the Old Testament, The Song Of Songs or The Song Of Solomon is a brief book of only 8 chapters. The great message of The Song Of Songs is the beauty of love between a man and a woman as experienced in the relationship of marriage. In its beautiful language, the song praises the mutual love which husband and wife feel toward each other in this highest of all human relationships.

In spite of its brevity, it has a complicated structure that sometimes confuses the reader. For example, there are several different characters or personalities have speaking parts within this long lyrical poem. The 3 main parties with speaking parts in this long poem are: [1] the groom, king Solomon [2] the bride, a woman referred to as 'the Shulamite' ( maid of Shulam ) [3] the 'daughters of Jerusalem.'

These women of Jerusalem may have been royal servants who served as attendants to Solomon's Shulamite bride. In this love song, they serve as a chorus to echo the sentiments of the Shulamite, emphasizing her love and affection for Solomon. In addition, to these main personalities, the brothers of the Shulamite bride are also mentioned in the poem. -8:8-9 - These may have been her step-brothers. The poem indicates she worked under their command as 'the keeper of the vineyards.' - 1:6 -

This beautiful love song falls naturally into 2 major sections of about equal length - the beginning of love - chapter 1 to 4 - and the broadening of love. - chapter 5 to 8 -

In the first section, the Shulamite tells about Solomon's visit to her home in the country in the spring time. - 2:8-17 - She also recalls the many happy experiences of their courtship when she visited Solomon in his palace in Jerusalem. 2:4-7 - She thinks about the painful separations from his love during this time - 3:1-5 - as well as the joyous wedding procession to Jerusalem to become the king's bride. - 3:6-11 - King Solomon also praises his bride-to-be in a beautiful poem on the magic and wonder of love. - chapter 4 -

In the second section of the book, Shulamite and Solomon for each other continues to deepen after their marriage. She has a troubled dream when he seems distant and unconcerned. - 5:2-8 - But Solomon assures her of his love and praises her beauty. 6:4-7:9 - Longing to visit her country home - 7:10-8:4 - she finally makes the trip with Solomon; and their love grows even stronger. - 8:5-7 - The song closes with an assurance of each to the other that they will always remain close in their love.

Traditionally, authorship of the Song Of Songs has been assigned to Solomon, since the book itself makes this claim. "The Song of Songs, which is Solomon's." - 1:1 - Solomon is mentioned by name several times in the song - 1:1,5, 3:7,9,11, 8:11-12 - and he is specifically identified as the groom. The book also gives evidence of wealth, luxury, and exotic imported goods - 3:6-11 - a characteristic of his administration. The groom of the song also assures the Shulamite bride that she is "the only one" - 6:9 - probably a reference by Solomon to his royal harem. At the height of his power and influence, Solomon was known to have 700 wives and 300 concubines. - 1 Kin. 11:3 -

This strong internal evidence clearly supports the traditional view that Solomon himself wrote this song that bears his name. It must have been written early in his reign, probably about 965 B.C.

With his large harem, how could king Solomon write such a beautiful love song to one specific wife? Perhaps, his union with the Shulamite woman was the only authentic marriage relationship which Solomon ever knew. Most of his marriage were political arrangements, designed to seal treaties and trade agreements with other nations. In contrast, the Shulamite woman was not a cultured princess but a lowly vineyard keeper whose skin had been darkened by her long exposure to the sun. - 1:6 - Yet, she was the bride to whom Solomon declared: "What spells lie in your love, my sister, my promised bride! How delicious is your love, more delicious than wine! How fragrant your perfumes, more fragrant than all other spices!" - 4:10 -

This has a real message about the nature of true love. Authentic love is much more than a surface relationship; it extends to the very core of one's being. love like this cannot be bought and sold like some commodity on the open market. Solomon had many wives but the Shulamite may have been the only one with whom he enjoyed a warm, enriching relationship.

The exact meaning of the phrase 'the Shulamite' which has come to be used as a title for the bride in this song are not certain because no city or region known as Shulam has been identified in Palestine or any of the surrounding territories, and also because the poem makes several references to Lebanon. Thus, it is believe she came from this mountainous territory along the Mediterranean coast in northwestern Palestine. - 3:9; 4:8,11,15; 5:15; 7:4 -

The sexual and physical side of marriage is a natural and proper part of God's plan, reflecting His purpose and desire for the human race. This is the same truth so evident at the beginning of time in the Creation itself. God created man and woman and brought them together to serve as companions and to share their lives with one another. - Gen. 2:24 - Like the Book of Genesis, the Song of Songs say a bold yes to the beauty and sanctity of married love.

It also points beyond human love to the great Author of love. Genuine or authentic love is possible in the world because God brought love into being and planted that emotion in the hearts of His people. Even husbands and wives should remember that the love which they share for one another is not a product of their human goodness or kindness. We are able to love because the love of God is working in our lives.

This is the love I mean: not our love for God, but God's love for us when he sent his Son to be sacrifice that takes our sins away. My dear people, since God has loved us so much, we too should love one another. - 1 John 4:10 -11 -

What the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible passages emphasizes was the truth that God's ideal is for the marriage to be permanent. It is never meant to be provisional.

Marriage ( Sacrament of Holy Matrimony ) is 'Never' meant to be 'Provisional.' Marriage, from the beginning, is always meant to be 'Permanent.'

** Marriage refers to the union of a man and a woman as husband and wife, which becomes the foundation for a home and family.
                                                                       
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Sunday, May 24, 2009

I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!

I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.

HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -