The Purpose of the Song of Songs

Song of Solomon 6:1 KJV

Whither is thy beloved gone, O thou fairest among women? whither is thy beloved turned aside? that we may seek him with thee.

It may be that this verse is the purpose of the entire book of the Song of Solomon. Better students than I disagree as to whether this book contains an historical record or if it is written as an metaphor. The metaphor seems wisest in my opinion. Solomon's real life relationships with women are hardly the stuff from which come prize making examples of marriage and romance. It is reasonable to me to see him reflecting rather in his mistakes than successes with his many wives and composing what an ideal relationship should have been.

Modern writers have pointed to this book as a Biblical resource for godly marriages. This however appears to be a more modern application as the majority of earlier writers saw it as referring to Christ and the church. They seldom see anything sensual in the book even referencing those verses which speak of the anatomy to things other than sexual experience.

I am going with these earlier writers. I see the Song of Solomon as a picture of the love relationship between Christ and His church. It is intended to demonstrate how the believer's affection for the Saviour, in harmony with his church, can lead others to desire to know and love the Saviour too. The love implied

• Is pure and holy, not at all smutty and distasteful
• It is beautiful to watch and in no way illicit
• It inspires others to godliness and not to immorality