The Voice of My Beloved

The Song of Songs, eight chapters of love lyrics found in the collection of wisdom literature attributed to Solomon, is the most enigmatic book of the Bible. Whether this is because or in spite of its cryptic nature depends on one's perspective: the Song of Songs tells no sacred history, gives no clear prophetic or theological revelation, and does not even mention God. Yet for thousands of years Jews and Christians alike have preserved it in the canon of scripture and used it in liturgy. Exegetes saw it as a central text for allegorical interpretation, and so the Song of Songs exerted an enormous influence on spirituality and mysticism. Book jacket.

E. Ann Matter is Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Pennsylvania.