It is no easy task to navigate through the deep waters of Solomon’s Song. When we read from its opening scene..

Kiss me, make me drunk with your kisses! (Song 1:2a)

We will indeed rejoice and be happy for you.

We will indeed recall your lovemaking more than wine. (Song 1:4b)

..we scratch our heads, only after we blush. We not only wonder how the two things that we will do our best to teach our young daughters to avoid-kissing boys and comparing such kissing to alcoholic consumption-made it into God’s Holy Word, but we also wonder how to explain to our congregations how such erotic poetry is appropriate and edifying for the church gathered. The four guideposts presented in this article- this is a song (guidepost one) about human love (guidepost two) found in the Bible (guidepost three) written to give us wisdom (guidepost four)- cannot explain every image or solve every philological, grammatical, and structural riddle, but hopefully they can give us greater confidence to read and teach this holy book that is wholly applicable today. [Read More]