A Love Stronger Than Death
Song of Songs 8:1-14
The Song of Songs is a story of God’s love. The Korean title, “Aga,” is written with the Chinese characters 雅歌 (elegant song), meaning “a sublime and beautiful song.” In English, it’s called “Song of Songs,” meaning the best of songs.
Jews interpret the Song of Songs as the story of God the Bridegroom’s love for Israel the Bride. Therefore, they read it during Passover. We read it as the love story of Jesus the Bridegroom and the Church the Bride.
The Song of Songs transcends a simple story of romantic love between a man and a woman. Solomon, the bridegroom, was a king, and his relationship with Shulamith, a “country girl” whose face was tanned from working in the vineyard, was an unlikely match.
Their love story symbolizes God’s unconditional love and grace for us. It’s a story of love “as strong as death,” a love that heals, and a love that gave even life itself – the story of the love of the cross.
This love is explained through a metaphor: “Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame.” (verse 6)
In the ancient Near East, a seal was essential for confirming ownership. Therefore, seals were always worn around the neck or arm, or as a ring.
“Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame.” (verse 6)
Being “like a seal” is a confession of ownership: “I am yours, and you are mine.” This symbolizes a complete and mysterious union. It is also described as “strong as death.” Why is love compared to death? This is to demonstrate the power of love. It’s about placing love alongside the most powerful force in our lives and comparing them.
It suggests that there is a force even stronger than death, which stands at the very edge of life with its immense power, and that force is love. Therefore, true love, it is said, drives out fear and conquers death.
By EunKyung Chang
