Lovely Carmel Head

Reading:   Song of Solomon 1-8 (All)

First off I want to emphasize that this is ONE SONG, not "Songs" and, though poetic and lovely in parts, I cannot imagine blundering through 1004 more of these?  Solomon supposedly penned 1005 songs -YIKES- unfortunately (or not) we are only privy to one.  Is this his best song...eh...hope not.

There are some good lyrics though (chapter:verse).

...Behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves' eyes (1:15).  Thy teeth are like a flock of sheep that are even shorn...(4:2)...Honey and milk are under thy tongue...(4:11).  Thy navel is like a round goblet, which wanteth not liquor: thy belly is like an heap of wheat set about with lilies (7:2).  Thine head upon thee is like Carmel, and the hair of thine head like purple...(7:5).  And the roof of thy mouth like the best wine for my beloved, that goeth down sweetly, causing the lips of those that are asleep to speak (7:9).

My critique:  The interplay of voices is too confusing and hard to keep up with.  Verses not only change gender but also point-of-view throughout.  There are numerous allusions to things I needed Wikipedia to decipher.  Also, there are many suggestions for whom the doting lovers represent - one of the more prominent being the Savior and his church .

I choose not to dwell...why...see below...

SONG OF SOLOMON (Bible Dictionary)

Sometimes called Canticles (as in Latin) or Song of Songs (as in Hebrew). Whether Solomon is actually the author is doubtful. The composition has many beautiful phrases and lyrical prose, often quoted in nonreligious literature. The JST manuscript contains the note that "the Song of Solomon is not inspired scripture." Both Jews and Christians have at times been reluctant to accept it into the canon of scripture because of its romantic content, but have permitted it on the basis of its being an allegory of God's love for Israel and/or of the Church.  

There you have it...authorship doubtful, really?

~Kipling