Luther’s Political Interpretation of the Song of Songs

Between March 1530 and June 1531, Martin Luther lectured on the Song of Songs, offering a striking political interpretation of this biblical book, which interpreted the relationships between the bridegroom and the bride in terms of the relationship of a prince to his subjects. This article explores the relationship of Luther’s lectures on the Song of Songs to his wider theology, especially his political theology. It also explores how Luther exploits the allegorical motifs used by Bernard of Clairvaux to offer a completely different overall interpretation. It concludes that his lectures were fully coherent with the political theology he was teaching elsewhere at this time. They show a sound knowledge of Bernard’s interpretation. Indeed, in his early theology Luther read the Song of Songs with Bernard of Clairvaux as describing the relationship between the soul and Christ, albeit with an ecclesiological and communal or ethical emphasis that is not found in Bernard’s sermons.