Song Of Solomon 1:1

KJV

¶ The song of songs, which [is] Solomon's.

KJV (with Strong's)

The song {H7892} of songs {H7892}, which is Solomon's {H8010}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The Ultimate Song, by Shlomo:

Berean Standard Bible

This is Solomon’s Song of Songs.

American Standard Version

The Song of songs, which is Solomon’s.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Song of Solomon 1:1 serves as the foundational title and authorship declaration for one of the Bible's most unique books. It identifies the work as "The Song of Songs," a Hebrew superlative indicating its supreme excellence among all songs, and attributes its composition to King Solomon, renowned for his wisdom and prolific literary output. This verse immediately establishes the book's poetic nature and sets the stage for its profound exploration of love, desire, and intimacy.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This opening verse functions as the superscription for the entire book, immediately informing the reader of its genre (a song) and its perceived quality ("Song of Songs"). As the very first line, it sets the tone for a work distinct from the historical narratives, prophetic oracles, or legal codes found elsewhere in the Old Testament. Its poetic structure, rich imagery, and dialogue-driven narrative begin immediately after this introductory statement, plunging the reader into a world of intense emotion and natural beauty. The verse prepares the audience for a lyrical journey rather than a didactic treatise, signaling a unique exploration of human relationships within the biblical canon.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** King Solomon, to whom this song is attributed, reigned over Israel in the 10th century BCE, a period often considered a golden age of prosperity and wisdom. [1 Kings 4:32](/1_kings/4-32 "1 Kings 4:32 - Solomon's Wisdom and Songs") notes that Solomon composed 1,005 songs, making him a fitting author for such a distinguished piece. Ancient Near Eastern cultures often celebrated love and marriage through poetic and lyrical forms, and Solomon's court would have been a center for such artistic expression. While the exact historical setting of the "song" within Solomon's reign is not specified, the general cultural milieu would have valued strong family units and the procreation of children, making the celebration of marital love a natural and positive theme. The book's rich agricultural and pastoral imagery reflects the agrarian society of ancient Israel.
* **Key Themes:** The primary theme introduced by this verse is the unparalleled **excellence of love**. The title "Song of Songs" immediately elevates the subject matter to the highest degree of importance and beauty. This superlative indicates that the love described within its pages—whether interpreted literally as human marital love or allegorically as divine love (between God and Israel or Christ and the Church)—is of supreme quality and significance. It sets the stage for a book that explores themes of mutual attraction, desire, commitment, and the profound intimacy between lovers, affirming the goodness of God's creation, including human sexuality and relationship, as seen in [Genesis 2:24](/genesis/2-24 "Genesis 2:24 - One Flesh Union"). The verse also subtly introduces the theme of **wisdom** through its attribution to Solomon, suggesting that the insights into love found within are divinely inspired and profoundly true.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Song (Hebrew, _shîyr'_):** This word refers to a lyrical composition, a poem set to music, or the act of singing itself. Its repetition in "Song of Songs" is a classic Hebrew idiom for a superlative, indicating the *most excellent* or *supreme* song. It immediately establishes the genre of the book as poetry, intended to be heard and felt, not merely read. The choice of this word emphasizes the aesthetic and emotional nature of the text, rather than a purely didactic or historical one.
* **Solomon's (Hebrew, _Shᵉlômôh'_):** Derived from the Hebrew word for "peace" (_shalom_), this name designates the son of David who succeeded him as king of Israel. Attributing the song to Solomon lends it significant authority and prestige, given his renowned wisdom, wealth, and prolific literary output (cf. [1 Kings 4:32](/1_kings/4-32 "1 Kings 4:32 - Solomon's Wisdom and Songs")). This attribution suggests that the themes of love and relationship explored within the book are presented from a perspective of profound insight and experience, aligning the celebration of love with divine wisdom.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The song of songs":** This phrase is a Hebrew superlative construction (e.g., "Holy of Holies," "King of Kings"), signifying the ultimate, most excellent, or supreme song. It immediately sets the book apart as a masterpiece of lyrical poetry, declaring its unparalleled beauty and significance among all songs. It suggests that the love described within is of the highest order, whether human or divine.
* **"which [is] Solomon's":** This clause attributes the authorship of this supreme song to King Solomon. This attribution not only provides a historical context but also imbues the work with the authority and wisdom associated with Solomon, a figure known for his vast knowledge, poetic ability, and discerning judgment. It implies that the insights into love and relationship presented in the following chapters are drawn from a source of profound understanding.

#### Literary Devices
The most prominent literary device in Song of Solomon 1:1 is **Superlative Construction**. The phrase "Song of Songs" is a classic example of a Hebrew grammatical idiom where a noun is repeated in the genitive case to express the highest degree or ultimate excellence of that noun. This is equivalent to saying "the greatest song," "the most beautiful song," or "the supreme song." This device immediately elevates the subject matter, signaling to the reader that the love described within is not ordinary but extraordinary, unparalleled in its depth and beauty. Additionally, the verse employs **Authorship Attribution**, directly naming Solomon as the composer. This not only provides a historical anchor but also leverages Solomon's reputation for wisdom and literary prolificacy, lending authority and gravitas to the insights on love that the book will unfold.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Song of Solomon 1:1, by declaring the book's supreme excellence and Solomon's authorship, immediately positions the exploration of love within a framework of divine wisdom and beauty. Theologically, the "Song of Songs" affirms that passionate, intimate love between a man and a woman is not only good but is a divinely ordained and celebrated aspect of human experience. This stands in stark contrast to views that might denigrate physical intimacy or romantic desire. It implicitly celebrates creation, echoing the goodness declared in [Genesis 1:31](/genesis/1-31 "Genesis 1:31 - God saw that it was good"). Thematically, it lays the groundwork for understanding love as a powerful, exclusive, and beautiful force, whether interpreted literally as marital love or allegorically as the profound covenantal relationship between God and His people, or Christ and the Church.

* [Psalm 45:1](/psalm/45-1 "Psalm 45:1 - A Song of Love")
* [Proverbs 5:18-19](/proverbs/5-18 "Proverbs 5:18-19 - Rejoice in the Wife of Your Youth")
* [Ephesians 5:31-32](/ephesians/5-31 "Ephesians 5:31-32 - The Mystery of Christ and the Church")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Song of Solomon 1:1 invites us into a unique biblical space—a celebration of love in its purest and most intense form. By labeling itself "the Song of Songs," it suggests that the love it portrays is the epitome of all love, offering profound insights into human desire, intimacy, and commitment. For believers, this verse serves as a powerful affirmation that romantic and marital love, within its proper boundaries, is a beautiful gift from God, worthy of celebration and pursuit. It challenges us to elevate our understanding of love beyond mere physical attraction to a holistic appreciation of emotional, spiritual, and physical union. It also encourages us to see the sacred in the ordinary, recognizing God's design and goodness in the most intimate of human relationships.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the title "Song of Songs" challenge or expand your understanding of what is considered "sacred" within the biblical text?**
* **In what ways does this verse, by attributing the song to Solomon, suggest that wisdom is intertwined with understanding and experiencing profound love?**
* **How might the celebration of love in this book inform your perspective on marriage, relationships, or even the church's role in affirming healthy intimacy?**

### FAQ
**Why is Song of Solomon included in the Bible, given its focus on romantic love?**

Answer: The inclusion of Song of Solomon in the biblical canon has been a subject of discussion throughout history, but its presence is widely affirmed for several reasons. Primarily, it is understood to be a divinely inspired celebration of human love and sexuality within the covenant of marriage, affirming these aspects as good gifts from God, reflecting His creative design. It offers a counter-narrative to prudish or ascetic views, showing that passion and intimacy are not inherently sinful but beautiful when expressed within their proper context. Furthermore, many Jewish and Christian traditions interpret the book allegorically, seeing it as a profound depiction of the passionate, exclusive, and enduring love between God and His people (Israel), or between Christ and His Church. This allegorical interpretation finds support in other biblical passages that use marriage imagery to describe the divine-human relationship, such as [Hosea 2:19-20](/hosea/2-19 "Hosea 2:19-20 - Betrothal to the Lord") or [Revelation 19:7-9](/revelation/19-7 "Revelation 19:7-9 - The Marriage Supper of the Lamb").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Song of Solomon 1:1 introduces a human love song, its "Song of Songs" designation points to a supreme love that finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ. The unparalleled excellence of the love described within the book, whether human or divine, foreshadows the perfect, unconditional, and sacrificial love of God revealed in Jesus Christ. Just as the bridegroom pursues his beloved, Christ, the ultimate Bridegroom, relentlessly pursues His Church, His bride, with an unwavering and exclusive devotion, as depicted in [Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25 "Ephesians 5:25-27 - Christ's Love for the Church"). The intimacy and mutual delight celebrated in the Song of Solomon find their spiritual apex in the communion believers share with Christ, a relationship characterized by profound joy, security, and belonging, echoing the promise of [John 15:9-11](/john/15-9 "John 15:9-11 - Abiding in Christ's Love"). The "Song of Songs" ultimately points to the "new song" of redemption sung to the Lamb of God, whose love is truly the "song of songs" for all eternity, as foreseen in [Revelation 5:9](/revelation/5-9 "Revelation 5:9 - The New Song").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 5:1

¶ Now will I sing to my wellbeloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My wellbeloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill:

1 Kings 4:32

And he spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five.

Psalms 14:1

¶ To the chief Musician, [A Psalm] of David. The fool hath said in his heart, [There is] no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, [there is] none that doeth good.