The interpreters differ regarding the aim [scopus]
of this book, yet it Is certain that it does not discuss marital love, much
less excessive marital love. The Hebrews say: “Heaven forbid! Heaven forbid
that this be a song about obscene things! Rather, it is a metaphor . . .”
Otherwise, “if it were not of great dignity, it would not be written in the catalog
of the Holy Scriptures!” (Johann Gerhard, On the Nature of Theology and on
Scripture [trans. Richard J. Dinda; Saint Louis, Miss.: Concordia
Publishing House, 2009], 143)
Some of the ancient heretics used to say that the Song
of Songs “was written not by the Spirit of God but by the heavy breath of lust.,”
according to Philaster (De haeres, c. 133). Beza attributes the same
opinion to Castalion. This book was taken into Church. In fact, among the
ancient Hebrews, so great was their reverence for this book that they forbade
anyone to read it-along with the beginning of Genesis and the beginning and end
of Ezekiel—before his thirtieth year. The Christian interpreters seem to stand
in the footsteps of those who think that the explanation of this song is not to
be attained in youth but must be reserved for the solace of Christian old age
and the provision [viaticum] of a devout departure. As examples, we have
Bernard, Thomas Aquinas, and Jean Gerson, who spent the last days of their
lives mediating upon and explaining this book. (Ibid.)
