The Song of Songs: The Soul and the Divine BelovedClear Press Ltd, 2004 - 296 pages On the face of it, the biblical Song of Songs tells the tale of a passionate and worldly love. Yet it contains not one word that speaks explicitly of God or spirituality, though the Song was accepted long ago into both the Jewish and Christian scriptural canons. In this enthralling book, John Davidson brings out the spiritual meaning of one of the most intriguing books in the Bible. Over the centuries, both Jewish and Christian mystics have agreed that the Song should be understood allegorically, not literally -- in keeping with the widespread use of metaphor, parable and story among the poets and mystics of the ancient Middle East. From the perspective of a universal spirituality, John Davidson sheds light on many of the Song's obscure passages, uncovering the artistry of its unknown poet. The commentary is illuminated by passages from biblical texts and other spiritual literature, including the teachings of Jesus, Gnostic writings, Jewish and Christian mystics, and some of the ecstatic psalms found among the Dead Sea Scrolls. |
From inside the book
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Contents
Introduction | 1 |
The Setting of the Song | 9 |
The Symbolism of the Song | 34 |
I am Black but Lovely | 93 |
I Hear my Beloved | 125 |
Who is this Coming Up from the Desert? | 149 |
I Sleep but my Heart is Awake | 183 |
What makes your Beloved better? | 200 |
your Beloved go? | 207 |
Who is this Coming Up from the Desert? | 243 |
You who Dwell in the Gardens | 251 |
Abbreviations | 265 |
Common terms and phrases
allegorical ancient awakened beautiful Beloved’s Bernard of Clairvaux Bible bliss body Breath Bridegroom comes commentary creation creative Power Creative Word daughters of Jerusalem devotee disciples divine Beloved divine love door dwell essence eternity flowers fragrance Francis de Sales fruit garden gazelle GGGN GJ index Gospel of Jesus Gregory of Nyssa hear heart heavenly realms Hebrew holy human form imagery interpretation intoxication Jerusalem Bible Jesus Ben Sirach Jewish King kiss Lebanon light lilies Living Water Lord LOVER maidens Mandaean Manichaean Psalm Book Master meaning metaphors mind Moses Maimonides mother mountains myrrh mystic Nag Hammadi Odes of Solomon parables pastures his flock perfume physical poem poet pomegranate promised bride purity Rabbi Rabbi Akiva Saviour says sheep Shepherd single eye Song of Songs soul spiritual form St Francis St John sweet symbol teachings translation tree vines voice wine Wisdom of Jesus writings Yahweh Zohar