The influencial Rabbi Akiva (c. AD 50-135) wrote, “Nothing in the entire world is worthy but for that day on which The Song of Songs was given to Israel; for all the Scriptures are holy, but The Song of Songs is the Holy of Holies!”
“His self-giving on the cross is the archetype of every man’s attempt to give himself in love to a woman, and, following this, we can recognize how great a range of spousal perfections are exemplified in His saving office”. This is just one sentence from a deeply theological and devotional new book.
Timothy Kelly has written a new book (published by Peter Kwasniewski through is publishing company Os Justi Press) entitled “Wounded I Sing” which is a masterful deep dive into the Song of Songs explaining this erotic biblical book as the great love affair between the incarnate God and his peope to whom he is wed.
If you want to understand the “Song of Songs” in its exquisite poetic depth, and the love God has for us, I highly recommend it.
My blurb for the book, ”
“The Old Testament was the Bible of the Jews long before it was ours—and contained within is the uniquely romantic and sensual Song of Songs, with barely a mention of God, theology, or prophecy. Instead of rejecting this love poem, the infuential Rabbi Akiva said: ‘All the Writings [of Scripture] are holy, but the Song of Songs is the Holy of Holies, because it pulls back the curtain on the great love affair of God with his people. “Wounded I Sing” shows that the Song comes into its own’ with the Incarnation and Passion of Christ, for here, at last, is God become bridegroom in the flesh, to be wholly united in marital covenant with each redeemed soul. An illuminating guide to a sublime and mysterious book.”