Observations placeholder
Isaac ben Soloman ibn Sahula - Commentaries on the Song of Songs
Identifier
005919
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
The Song of Songs is a part of the Bible, but the source of this experience is Jewish.
The Song of Songs from the Book of Soloman, as implied by the title was at one time a melodic song to which words were probably added. The existence of the song has been preserved in the Bible, but only the text is shown, which rather defeats the whole purpose of the song itself which in its time was a melody capable of enabling the listener to achieve bliss
A description of the experience
Isaac ben Soloman ibn Sahula – Commentaries on the Song of Songs [translated by Shimon Malin]
It was right for the sage to have called it the Song of songs and not another name…. The Levites used to sing it in the Temple during service…….. this song was a most awesome great and marvellous thing, because through the melody of the song which is in the mouth and in the instrument, the soul awakens and the Holy Spirit shines in it. And it goes higher and attains supreme understanding, which it could not reach before.
And this excellent song is a voice coming out of the mouth of singers in fear, awe and holiness. It goes up and down, lengthens and shortens, as if it is inspired by a song of the higher ministers. And while it moves by degrees which are known and understood by the pleasant voices, these phrases are ordered in correspondence with the spiritual virtues.