The Song of Songs

The Song of Songs is a small book in the Old Testament. It is sometimes called the Song of Solomon or the Canticle of Canticles. It is written as a series of poems. These poems are about love between a man and a woman. The book does not follow a clear story. It reads more like a conversation between two people who care deeply for each other.

This book is very different from other books in the Bible. It does not talk about laws or history. It does not include prayers or rules. Instead, it focuses on love, beauty, and longing. Some of the words are very poetic and describe how the man and woman see each other. They praise each other’s looks and speak of their desire to be together.

Most people see this book as more than just a love story. It has often been read as a picture of the love between God and his people. Some think it shows the deep love between Christ and the Church. Others think it is about God’s care for each soul. Even though it is written like a human love poem, it points to something deeper.

The Church includes the Song of Songs in the Bible because love matters. God made love. God made marriage. And God wants people to understand what true love looks like. This book reminds us that love is a gift. It should be tender, loyal, and joyful. The Song of Songs shows us that love is something worth celebrating.

The Song of Songs is often linked to King Solomon. His name appears in the first verse. Some think he wrote it. Others believe the book was written later by someone using his name as a tribute. Solomon was known for his wisdom and for writing poems and songs, so it makes sense that his name is connected to this book.

The poems were likely written a few hundred years before the time of Jesus. This was a time when love poems were common in the ancient world. People in nearby cultures also wrote about love in ways that sound similar to this book. The style and words of the Song of Songs fit with that time period.

Even though we do not know exactly who wrote it, the meaning of the book still speaks clearly. It tells us that love is strong and beautiful. It was included in the Bible because it helps people think about what love really means.

So while the author remains a mystery, the message of the Song of Songs has lasted for centuries. Its words are still read, sung, and prayed with joy.

The Song of Songs is written as poetry. It does not follow a clear story with a beginning, middle, and end. Instead, it is made up of short poems and speeches. These poems go back and forth between two main voices—a man and a woman. Sometimes friends speak, too. The words feel like a song or a conversation.

The style is full of images and symbols. The man and woman use nature to describe each other. They talk about flowers, trees, animals, and spices. These images help show how much they care for each other. Some of the words may sound strange today, but they were beautiful in their time.

The poems do not always move in order. The same ideas come up again and again. The couple talks about looking for each other, finding each other, and wanting to stay close. It feels like a dream or a dance, where the same steps return with new meaning.

This style invites the reader to slow down and enjoy the words. The poems are not meant to be rushed. They help us think about love, longing, and joy. The beauty of the language makes the Song of Songs stand out from other parts of the Bible.

The Song of Songs talks a lot about love. But it is not just about two people. For Catholics, it also shows deeper truths about God and faith. Many saints and teachers of the Church have seen this book as a way to understand God’s love for us.

• Love between husband and wife
  The poems show how love in marriage can be good and holy. The Bible teaches that marriage is a gift from God. This book reminds us that love in marriage should be kind, joyful, and faithful.
• Christ and the Church
  Catholics see the man in the poems as a sign of Christ, and the woman as the Church. Their love shows how much Jesus loves his people. It also shows how the Church longs to be close to him.
• The soul and God
  Many people read this book as a picture of the soul’s love for God. The search, the waiting, and the joy of finding each other all point to prayer and the desire to be close to God.
• The beauty of creation
  The poems use flowers, animals, and gardens to talk about love. This reminds us that God’s creation is full of beauty. It is good to see the world as a gift that helps us know God better.

These themes help Catholics read the Song of Songs as more than a love poem. It teaches about how love connects us to God, to others, and to the world around us.

The Song of Songs is made up of eight chapters. Each part has short poems or speeches. The book does not follow a straight story, but we can still see how the themes move and change. The main voices go back and forth—sometimes the woman speaks, sometimes the man, and sometimes a group called the “daughters of Jerusalem.”

Here is one simple way to look at the sections:

• 1:1–2:7 – First Love
  The woman speaks about her love. The couple praises each other. She dreams of his closeness.
• 2:8–3:5 – Searching Hearts
  The woman hears her beloved coming. She looks for him but cannot find him. Then she finds him again.
• 3:6–5:1 – Praise and Joy
  The man praises the woman. They speak of their love and longing.
• 5:2–6:3 – Longing and Finding
  The woman searches for her beloved again. The friends ask questions. She describes him with joy.
• 6:4–8:4 – Stronger Together
  The man praises the woman again. Their love seems deeper and stronger.
• 8:5–14 – Love That Lasts
  The book ends with words about lasting love. The woman wants to be near her beloved forever.

These sections are not sharp breaks. The poems flow into each other. But this list can help readers see the shape of the book and how the love story moves through the pages.

Even though the Song of Songs is very old, it still speaks to people today. Love is something that never goes out of style. People still long to be close to others. They still dream of being known, seen, and loved. This book reminds us that love is something good, something to treasure.

In a world where love is often rushed or treated lightly, the Song of Songs teaches us to slow down. It shows that real love takes time. It uses kind words. It stays close even when things are hard. That message is important for couples, friends, and families.

For people of faith, this book also speaks about God’s closeness. It reminds us that God wants a real, loving relationship with us. He is not far away. He wants us to seek him and to feel joy when we find him.

The beauty of the Song of Songs can help people today. It shows that love—when it is true and lasting—can lead us toward peace, trust, and joy. That is something we still need in every time and place.

The Song of Songs does not come up often in the readings. But it is included in the Roman Catholic lectionary. We hear it once at daily Mass and on certain feast days for saints. The Church chooses short parts that focus on love, beauty, and longing.

Some readings come from chapters that speak about searching for a beloved or finding joy in being close. These are often used on feast days of saints, especially women religious, who gave their whole lives to Christ. Their love for Jesus is like the deep love in the Song of Songs.

This book also appears at weddings. Couples sometimes pick a passage that talks about strong love. The verses remind them that love is a gift from God. They show how love can be gentle and lasting.

Though we may not hear it often, the Song of Songs is part of the Church’s prayer and worship. Its words still echo in our hearts today.

It appears once in the weekday readings:

• Advent Weekday on December 21 – Song of Songs 2:8-14: The Lover’s Call

How to Read the Song of Solomon

In this episode of the Bible in a Year Podcast, Fr. Mike Schmitz introduces the Song of Solomon, chapter 1. He explains that there are three main ways people have read this book over the centuries. The first way is as an allegory. For Jews, it reflects God’s love for Israel. For Christians, it shows the love between Jesus and the Church.

The second way is as human love poetry. Fr. Mike notes that this poetry is romantic and sometimes a little racy. Because of this, people in the past were told not to read it until they were older. It celebrates the love between a man and a woman.

The third way is to read it as a type, or a symbol, of the future union between Christ and the Church. Fr. Mike says we can hold all three views at once. He reminds us that love between people is good, and it also points to the deeper love God has for us.

Fr. Mike mentions that the Song of Solomon will be read over eight days, one chapter per day. He says some of the poetry may sound strange, but it’s meant to be taken as poetic and symbolic. He invites listeners to stay open as they read this unique book.

God Is the One Who Loves First

In this episode of the Bible in a Year Podcast, Fr. Mike Schmitz reflects briefly on chapter 2 of the Song of Solomon. He reminds us that this book is love poetry. It shows how God is the one who loves us first. We don’t have to earn that love.

Fr. Mike says the Song is about God’s deep desire for us. It shows God as the one who chases after us. It also shows our call to love him in return.

He explains that this love is personal. God has chosen you. He wants to be close to you, and he invites you to respond to that love.

Fr. Mike encourages us to ask a simple question: Will I let God love me today? That is the message behind the poetry in the Song of Solomon.

God’s Love Wants Our Whole Heart

In this episode of the Bible in a Year Podcast, Fr. Mike Schmitz shares a short reflection on chapter 3 of the Song of Solomon. He says the reading reminds us of how deeply God loves us. God desires our hearts and wants to be close to us.

Fr. Mike explains that even when we have little to give, God still receives it with joy. God doesn’t wait for us to be perfect. He loves us right now and wants us to walk as his sons and daughters.

This love is steady and real. Fr. Mike encourages us to respond to that love by living like we belong to God. The Song of Solomon shows that deep connection.

Love That Waits and Respects

In this episode of the Bible in a Year Podcast, Fr. Mike Schmitz shares thoughts on chapter 4 of the Song of Solomon. He reflects on how this love poem speaks about both human love and God’s love for his people. It shows beauty, tenderness, and the desire to love with respect.

Fr. Mike brings in a teaching from Pope John Paul II’s Theology of the Body. He explains that the phrase “a garden locked” means that the woman is always free to choose. Even in marriage, she is not owned. She gives herself in love, but only if she chooses to.

This reminds us that real love always respects the other person. It does not force. It waits, it knocks, and it honors the other’s dignity.

Fr. Mike also notes the phrase “my sister, my bride.” This shows that a husband should first see his wife as a person, someone who exists for her own sake. Only then can love truly be given.

Longing and Love in the Night

In this episode of the Bible in a Year Podcast, Fr. Mike Schmitz reads from the Song of Solomon, chapter 5. He does not give a full reflection on this reading.

Beauty and Belonging

In this episode of the Bible in a Year Podcast, Fr. Mike Schmitz reads chapter 6 of the Song of Solomon. There is no discussion of its meaning or themes in this episode.

Love and Desire

In this episode of the Bible in a Year Podcast, Fr. Mike Schmitz reads chapter 7 of the Song of Solomon.

Love That Is Strong as Death

In this episode of the Bible in a Year Podcast, Fr. Mike Schmitz reads Song of Solomon chapter 8. He reflects on one key verse from the reading: “Love is as strong as death.” He uses this line to point to God’s love for us, shown through Jesus’ death for our sake.

Fr. Mike says God’s love is deep and steady. It led him to die so we could be brought close to him. He prays that we will let this love shape how we live each day.

He also quotes another part of the chapter: “Set me as a seal upon your heart.” He asks God to help us live as people who belong to him.

The Bible

The Song of Songs is just one part of the Bible, but it helps us see how love is part of God’s plan. There are many other books in the Bible that also teach us about faith, prayer, and how to live. Each one has something special to offer.

If you want to learn more about the Bible as a whole, visit our page about Understanding the Bible. It explains how the Bible is put together and why it matters. It’s a good place to start if you are new to reading Scripture or just want a simple overview.

Is the Song of Songs really about romantic love?

Yes, the poems are about the love between a man and a woman. They speak of beauty, longing, and joy. But Catholics also see a deeper meaning. The love in the book points to the love between God and his people.

Why is this book in the Bible?

Even though it is a love poem, the Church includes it because love comes from God. The Song of Songs helps us think about love in a good and holy way. It reminds us that love should be faithful and joyful.

Does the Song of Songs talk about God?

The name of God is not mentioned much. But many Catholics read the book as a picture of God’s love. Saints and Church leaders have seen it as showing how the soul longs for God and how God longs for us.

Can I read this book with my children?

Yes, but some parts may seem confusing or strange for younger readers. The poems use a lot of images and symbols. It’s best to read it with care and be ready to explain the meaning in simple ways.

The Song of Songs is a short book in the Old Testament. It is written as a series of poems about love. The main voices are a man and a woman who express joy and longing. They praise each other and speak of their deep desire to be close. The poems use nature, like flowers and animals, to describe love.

Catholics have often read this book in two ways. It shows the goodness of love between a husband and wife. It also helps us think about the love between Christ and the Church. Some people see the woman as a sign of the soul, and the man as a sign of God. Their love shows how close we are meant to be with God.

The Church includes the Song of Songs in the Bible because love is a gift. Love matters. This book helps us remember that love should be kind, faithful, and joyful.

Though the poems were written long ago, the message still speaks to us. Love that is strong and true is always worth thinking about. The Song of Songs helps us see that love can lead us closer to God and to each other.

Have you ever read the Song of Songs? It’s short and easy to find in the Bible. You might be surprised by how different it feels from other books. Take a few minutes to read it slowly. Let the words speak to you.

After you read, come back and share your thoughts in the comments. What stood out to you? Did any line or image stay with you? We’d love to hear how this book spoke to you.