The Song of Songs: A Mystical Introduction to the Bible’s Most Intimate Text
The Song of Songs: A Mystical Introduction to the Bible’s Most Intimate Text is described here as being about the process of the soul remembering itself inside of each one of us. First, we take a brief look at the Orthodox viewpoint which, ironically also describes it as being symbolic in some contexts.
Traditional Orthodox Christian Interpretation of the Song of Songs
It seems to view the Song of Solomon through two focal points:
- As a celebration of human marital love and intimacy,
- As allegory for Christ’s love for the Church,
The dominant view is allegorical:
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The Bridegroom represents Christ
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The Bride represents the Church as a whole
Thus, the book is read as describing:
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Christ’s love for the Church
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the Church’s longing for Christ
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the intimacy of salvation
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the purity of divine love
“The erotic language was understood as symbolic, because scripture was not believed to endorse sensual love as sacred in itself.”
Mystical Interpretation of the Song of Songs
“The Song of Songs is not a love poem between two people, but a sacred dialogue describing the awakening and union of the soul with its divine source.”
Mystically, the book maps the inner journey of consciousness as it moves from longing, through purification and recognition, into intimacy with the Divine. The lovers represent the souls awareness of its own deepest essence, separation occurring only through forgetting as it enters a human form.
“The lovers are consciousness experiencing itself as separate from its source, and slowly remembering that they are one.”
This is why the relationship feels intimate, longing, joyful, painful, and ecstatic. It is self-recognition unfolding over time.
The erotic language is deliberate, because it points to direct experience, not belief, morality, or doctrine.
Throughout the text, perception softens, identity to the body loosens, and inner senses awaken. The soul seeks not instruction but contact, not explanation but communion. Light, fragrance, sound, wine, and touch symbolise states of consciousness, not external objects.
“This is scripture for those who have moved beyond obedience and fear, and are ready for union, intimacy, and knowing by being.”
The Song does not teach about God.
It sings the about the moment the soul remembers itself.
Next post: Interpreting Song of Songs 1:1
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