Walsh, Kilian, trans; Halflants, M. Corneille, ed., Song of Songs I-II (Cistercian Fathers Series, Kalamazoo: Cistercian Publications, Inc., 1971-1981).

Text name(s): Song of Songs

Number of pages of primary source text: 0

Medieval Author(s): Bernard of Clairvaux

Dates: 1136 - 1137

Archival Reference:

Original Language(s):

Translation: English translation.

Translation Comments:

Geopolitical Region(s): France;

County/Region: Clairvaux

Apparatus: Index Introduction

Comments:

A two-volume compilation of Bernard of Clairvaux’s 86 sermons on the biblical Song of Songs. Bernard’s sermons, which may never have been delivered, discuss the relationship of man to God and God’s word. Bernard chose the Song of Songs, basically a secular love song, to express God’s grace and man’s proper feeling of love for Christ and God. The source is particularly interesting for its discussion of Bernard’s feelings on spiritual marriage and man’s road to salvation. Bernard’s sermons contain many references to Bernard’s views on aspects of Catholic theology. The index is included in the second volume. All of the sermons are fully translated.

Introduction Summary:

Introduction (ix-xxx) discusses the writing of the sermons and the theological interpretation of sections of Bernard’s sermons. The introduction to the second volume discusses if the sermons were only literary works or if they had been delivered as actual sermons.

Cataloger: CDB