Monday 23 March 2026
- Bible Book:
- Song of Solomon
He brought me to the banqueting house, and his intention towards me was love. (v. 4)
Background
The Song of Solomon (sometimes called The Song of Songs) may seem a strange choice for readings during passiontide, when Christians traditionally focus on the deep and serious truths of Jesus’ suffering and death. After all, it’s a book that has no direct mention of God and no obvious moral teaching. At first sight it comes across as a rather jumbled collection of love poetry, more concerned with sensual pleasure than with religious devotion. In a sense, that is true. Feminist scholars point out that this is perhaps the only part of the Bible written from the perspective of a woman. It gives us a vivid sense of the beauty of the human body and the ecstasy of sexual love. It is no bad thing to be reminded that this too is part of God’s gift of life, to be embraced and enjoyed, and not necessarily a source of shame and embarrassment.
But alongside this reading of the Song of Solomon, there is a long Christian tradition of finding in its poetic imagery a way of speaking of the love between Christ and the Christian soul. Many of Charles Wesley’s hymns, for instance, borrow phrases from the Song to convey a sense of the depth and joy of divine love. “His banner over me was love“ (verse 4, from the King James’ translation of the Bible) is an especial favourite.
To Ponder:
- How do you react to the sensual language of the Song of Solomon? Does it add to, or detract from, the language of religious faith?
Prayer
Jesus, lover of my soul,
let me to thy bosom fly,
while the nearer waters roll,
while the tempest still is high;
hide me, O my saviour, hide,
till the storms of life is past;
safe into the haven guide;
O receive my soul at last! Charles Wesley (Singing the Faith 355)
Bible notes author: The Revd Dr Richard Clutterbuck
Richard is a supernumerary presbyter, living in Gloucestershire after a ministry that has taken him to Tonga, London, Gloucester and Belfast. He was formerly Principal of the West of England Ministerial Training Course and of Edgehill Theological College.