On the Song of Songs (Volume 244)

Cistercian Studies Series #244

by Pope Gregory I, Mark DelCogliano (Translator)

Gregory the Great (+604) was a master of the art of exegesis. His interpretations are theologically profound, methodologically fascinating, and historically influential. Nowhere is this more clearly seen than in his exegesis of the Song of Songs. Gregory’s interpretation of this popular Old Testament book not only owes much to Christian exegetes who preceded him, such as Origen, but also profoundly influenced later Western Latin exegetes, such as Bernard of Clairvaux.This volume includes all that Gregory had to say on the Song of his Exposition on the Song of Songs , the florilegia compiled by Paterius (Gregory’s secretary) and the Venerable Bede, and, finally, William of Saint Thierry’s Excerpts from the Books of Blessed Gregory on the Song of Songs . It is now the key resource for reading and studying Gregory’s interpretation of the Song of Songs. 

Genres: Theology

344 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2012

About the author

born perhaps 540

From 590, Saint Gregory I the Great, known pope, increased authority, enforced rules of life for the clergy, and sponsored many notably important missionary expeditions of Saint Augustine of Canterbury in 596 to Britain.

Commonly vigilant Gregory guarded the doctrine of the Church. He founded numerous monasteries, including a school for the training of church musicians. He collected the melodies and plainsong, so associated and now Gregorian chants. In his time, he served as a monk, an abbot, and a leader of Italy. He also momentously influenced the Catholic Church through doctrine, organization, and discipline. People thought of his foremost skill in grammar, rhetoric, and dialectic in all Rome, Gregory of Tours tells us. Gregory sent as a patron of England. Gregory wrote Dialogues , one accomplishment, a book on the Lives of the Saints. Boniface VIII proclaimed him as a doctor of the church in 1295.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Gr...

Reviews

[Ephrem Arcement · Rating 3 out of 5]

Everything that Gregory the Great wrote On the Song of Songs is compiled in this one volume edition. By nature, it is repetitive, since it contains various compilations with an interest in comparing and contrasting versions. It is certainly worth your time and lends itself to stimulating spiritual reflection.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book! At the moment, all I’ll say is it is fascinating to read these church fathers on their highly allegorical interpretations of this poem. I mean they back it up with cross references to Psalms, the Law, the Gospels, the epistles (clearly they are highly biblically literate, and I admire that), but there’s also a lot of “so you see hair represents wild thoughts, and the headband the restraint of those wild thoughts. What else could it possibly mean?” And it *is* funny.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good doctrine, not so good exegesis.

[Joshua Maier · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you can turn off your exegetical sensitivities, Gregory has some insightful reflections. I especially liked his use of the symbols of the sun throughout his commentary.