Many people have asked me this same question with a mixture of curiosity and quiet wonder. When we open the Bible and come across the Song of Songs (also called the Song of Solomon), we are surprised by its language—so tender, so passionate, so deeply human. We may even ask ourselves, Why is this here, among sacred writings? Yet that very question already leads us closer to its meaning.
On the surface, the Song of Songs is a beautiful poem celebrating the love between a bride and a bridegroom. It speaks of longing and delight, of seeking and finding, of desire that is mutual and joyful. The Bible does not shy away from the goodness of human love; instead, it blesses it. Here we are reminded that love between man and woman—when it is faithful, free, and life-giving—is not something separate from God, but something that comes from Him.
But as the Church has prayed with this book for centuries, she has heard something even deeper. Beneath the poetry, the Song of Songs becomes a living symbol of God’s love for His people. The bride represents Israel, and later the Church; the bridegroom reflects God Himself. In this light, the longing in the poem mirrors our own longing for God, and the joy of union speaks of the intimacy God desires with every human heart. What may sound like romantic language becomes, in prayer, the language of covenant and communion.
For our daily lives, this book gently teaches us that love is sacred and revealing. When we love truly—whether in marriage, friendship, or self-giving service—we catch a glimpse of how God loves us first. The Song of Songs invites us not to be afraid of desire, but to let it be purified and lifted toward God, who alone can satisfy the deepest hunger of the soul.
A Closing Reflection
May this ancient song remind us that God speaks not only through commands and teachings, but also through love and longing. As we open our hearts to Him, may we discover that we are the beloved He has been seeking all along.
— Fr. John Matthew, for Christian Way
