Analysis Of Bernard's 'Song Of Songs'

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Throughout Bernard's collection of sermons, he justifies the central concerns of the “Song of Songs” within his selected works. He develops a creed of mystical contemplation, meditation, and personal joining with God. Bernard using an allegorical approach, he wrote about the “Song of Songs” and his sermons creating the metaphor of the church, stressing the importance of love in knowing service to God. “Song of Songs” has many interpretations within the love poem, and Bernard conveys them on discussing what the “Song of Songs” is, dives into what the kisses are that indicate the progression on the soul, describes who the four kinds of spirits are, and identifies the bride and Bridegroom.
With Bernard discussing what the “Song of Songs” is, he first starts with his interpret of the title and then goes into what the book is about. Bernard thinks that your own experience reveals to you the meaning of these passages in Scripture, which are called “a song of steps” (Page 214). In each one of the steps you take, at whatever stage of life he is in, may choose one of these songs to praise and give glory to God. No matter what step you are at in life, God will help and give you one of his specific praises. The deeper you grow towards grace, the deeper you are in his faith. He talks about “a song of steps”, but then goes into the singular dignity and sweetness of the “Song of Songs”. The book is a poem about love the way it is meant to be, and he stresses and explains about “the kiss” that is constantly being portrayed. “Shall I not find that a richer grace is poured out upon me from him whom the Father has anointed with the oil of gladness more than all his companions, if he will deign to kiss me with the kiss of his mouth” (Pa...

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...roperty of one another and nothing is held individually against one another. The two will share one of everything, and the Bride is also forced to forget other people. The reason being for all of this is because now the Bride and Bridegroom can now have love for their marriage.
Bernard using his allegorical approach, helped others understand his way on what his sermons on the “Song of Songs” and creating metaphors on different situations pertaining to God and also the importance of love in knowing service to God were all about. Bernard assists to break down and examine what the “Song of Songs” title and meaning is, the interpretations of the kisses and the indication of the progression on the souls, him dividing up the classes of the four spirits, and identifying and explaining more in depth the Bride being the soul and the Bridegroom being the Holy Spirit.

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