Reading Song of Songs Without Snickering

This post is actually an email I sent in response to hearing a pastor discussing (and struggling through) Song of Songs on the radio.  Some people become embarrassed reading the book (especially aloud in church), while others snicker at the unusual compliments.  If you fit into one of those categories, hopefully reading this will give you a new perspective on this wonderful book.

When I was younger, reading Song of Songs would often make me snicker.  The comparisons seemed silly – teeth like flocks of sheep, breasts like fawns, etc.  But as I grew older (and perhaps better read), I began to approach those comparisons differently.  I don’t believe the author makes direct visual comparisons – he’s not saying, ”looked like.”  He doesn’t really mean, “your hair looks like wool” or “you have an extremely long neck like a tower of ivory”.  I believe that he is making a different kind of association – a much deeper association – one that involves memory and feelings more than just the superficial visual comparison.  Let me explain:

“Your hair is like a flock of goats descending from Mount Gilead.” Song of Songs, 4:1

For a culture highly dependent on raising goats, seeing this is a very pleasant, soothing sight. To see the goats cascading down a hillside is a thing of pure, simple beauty, and evokes very strong inner feelings – much the way a herd of cows at the edge of Dallas can make a downtown high-paid manager remember his small town roots.  The author is saying, “Your hair reminds me of this beautiful scene that I’ve loved since my youth.”

“Your two breasts are like two fawns, like twin fawns of a gazelle that browse among the lilies.” Song of Songs, 4:5

A comparison like this is one of the most obvious indicators that he isn’t making visual comparisons.  He is comparing two things of beauty, with emotion attached.  To be a little frank, there may be certain visual comparisons, such as the color of fawns likely matching the color of her breasts, but the peaceful movement of fawns among lilies creates a striking visual that pleases by itself.  He’s saying, “You know how beautiful those gazelle fawns are – especially when they’re grazing among the flowers? Your breasts are like that.” It’s very beautiful, with not a snicker in sight.

“Your nose is like the tower of Lebanon looking toward Damascus.” Song of Songs, 7:4

He is not saying “You have a really big nose like a tower – but don’t worry, I find that sexy.”  I believe he’s instead saying, “You know that tower we saw in Lebanon – the one looking toward Damascus? Remember when we saw it, our breath was taken away? We just couldn’t believe people could make something so amazing… Well, your nose is like that. I look at your face and just gasp at your beauty.”

I think if you approach Song of Songs by looking at these things as indirect comparisons between two beautiful objects; and not direct visual, superficial comparisons, you’ll be able to read through it with new wonder and amazement.  There will be no need to get embarrassed over the breasts or legs, no laughing at seemingly absurd comparisons, but instead find what may be one of the most beautiful love poems ever written.

“Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame.” Song of Songs, 8:6.

Wow!