May 11, 2024

Bernard of Clairvaux

I’ve often wondered how the Song of Songs made it into the biblical canon. For starters, God’s name is never mentioned. It also happens to be the most sexually explicit book in Scripture. I’ll be honest. I become embarrassed reading portions of it in public worship.

Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153) began a sermon series on the Song of Songs during Advent in 1135. In his role as founder and abbot of a French monastery at Clairvaux, he preached eighty-six consecutive sermons on this passionate love sonnet between a bride and groom. Keep in mind he’s preaching to monks who have already taken a vow of chastity. He treats the Song of Songs as a spiritual allegory of love between Jesus as groom and the church as his bride. The love expressed between bride and groom depicts the love shared between Christ and his church. “I have only one desire,” Bernard writes, “to show the hidden delights [of the love] between Christ and his church.” The church is not merely an institution but an intimate love union with its divine Savior. Jesus taught his followers that love is foundational to the two greatest commandments—on loving God and loving neighbor.

We sometimes in the church give higher priority to things like impressive buildings, big budgets, and doctrinal eccentricities. Bernard brings us back on point again. Love matters most. Biblical scholarship is still divided on whether Song of Songs should be interpreted as a celebration of human love or as an allegory of divine love. Since when does it have to be one or the other? Bernard leads us in prayer:

Come, Holy Spirit, and bring from heaven a ray of Thy light! Come, Thou Father of the poor, Thou giver of gifts, Thou light of the world, the blessed Comforter, the dear guest of the soul, and its sweetest refreshment, Thou, our repose in labor, our coolness in heat, our comfort in affliction! O, most blessed Spirit, fill full the hearts of Thy faithful people! Without Thy influence there is nothing in us which is not weakness and guilt, O, cleanse that which is sordid; bedew that which is dried up; heal that which is wounded; bend that which is stubborn, cherish in Thy bosom that which is cool; guide that which is wandering; and grant unto Thy servants, putting their trust in Thee, the merit of Thy righteousness; grant them final salvation; grant them everlasting joy! O Lord, hear our prayer, and let our cry come unto Thee. Amen.

Bernard of Clairvaux, On the Song of Songs.

Rev. Dr. Peter James served 42 years as the senior of Vienna Presbyterian Church in Vienna, VA — 21 years in the 20th century and 21 years in the 21st century. He retired in 2021 and now serves as Pastor-in-Residence at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.

Even as a pastor, prayer came slowly to Pete. Read Pete’s story.