Commentators choosing to write about the Song of Solomon/Song of Songs face vital interpretive challenges. Do they follow the allegorical path of seeing the poem as illustrating the love of Christ for His church which is the oldest method of interpretation or do they view this book as solely dealing with the love relationship between husband and wife? Or is there a middle way, as adopted by some modern commentators? And how is the ordinary Christian reader to know which method is the right way?

Clearly, the writer needs to let the text speak for itself before offering any application. Jim Winter holds strongly to the allegorical view noting, rightly so, that ‘Marriage is God’s metaphor for his relationship with his people’. He then proceeds to align the poetic imagery of the book with practical lessons for the Christian life. The book is most beneficial when there is substantial engagement with the text before encouraging readers to consider the nature of their relationship with Jesus. Reading this book has motivated me to explore the Song of Songs in greater depth in order to consider its meaning for my spiritual life.

This book is available to purchase from DayOne.

Gari Lewis, Tabernacle Baptist Church, Llwynhendy