1. Contents and Form

The Song of Solomon (also Canticles, also Songs of Songs—i.e., the finest song) is ascribed to Solomon (1:1). It is a collection of some 30 love lyrics. In 12 of these a woman is speaking; she expresses her longing for her lover, describes her dreams of love, and speaks of her union with her lover and of his handsome form. In 8 songs a man speaks, recounting the beauty of his beloved, of the good fortune and riches that s…