THE SONG OF SONGS

8th Bible: Old Testament

The Covenantal Love of Jesus Christ

WRONG Interpretations.

There are many wrong interpretations of the Song of Solomon that are contrary to the intended meaning of the Holy Spirit. The two wrong views below are becoming increasingly more common.

1.  Romantic Interpretation

a.  The book only portrays a love relationship between a man and a woman and has nothing to do with Christ and His Church.

b.  The book is just an excellent marriage manual the helps safeguard the purity and sanctity of marriage. The book has no spiritual value.

2.  Typological Interpretation (see The Kingdom of God page 109 – second view)

a.  The book is about a literal, actual marriage relationship between Solomon and the Shulamite.

b.  This marriage between Solomon and the Shulamite, just like any biblical marriage, also has deep typological significance and points to the higher love relationship between Christ and His church. (see Ephesians 5:31-32)

RIGHT Interpretation: The Christological Interpretation

The Song of Solomon is interpreted as an allegory = an extended metaphor.

The Song of Songs is about Solomon, meaning the true Solomon, the Lord Jesus Christ. The entire Song is about Jesus Christ and His Bride and has no literal reference to Solomon the king of Israel. (see The Kingdom of God page 109 – first view)

The Christological Interpretation is easily supported by the whole of Scripture and has been the view defended by the vast majority of the Reformers and Puritans.

Validity of Christological Interpretation:

·  Superlative title: “Song of Songs” = the most excellent song

·  Matthew 12:42 – “a greater than Solomon is here”

·  Psalm 45 and Psalm 72 use language similar to that found in Song of Solomon and the N.T. clearly shows that these Psalms are direct references to Jesus Christ.

·  Marriage is one of the most basic metaphors used in describing Christ and His Bride. Numerous OT and NT references prove this. (For example see Revelation 21:2, 9)

·  The New Testament has many allusions/references to the Song of Songs

·  Redemptive history necessitates a Christological interpretation of the Song.

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