It is doubtful whether this verse was originally part of the book. Like the introductory verses to most Old Testament books, it is almost certainly an editorial addition to give the completed work greater authority, to identify it, and to commend it to others to read. Evidence that this verse was added comes from the form of the relative pronoun that appears as ʾasher in this verse alone but as she everywhere else. Although some scholars accept that parts of the Song may date back to the period of Solomon (3.6-11, for example), it is likely that this opening verse was added after the work was completed. We cannot determine when this may have taken place or who may have added it.

The opening words form the title of the book. In discussing the book’s title, we noted that the Hebrew phrase The Song of Songs is a superlative expression that describes the highest or greatest degree of something. These opening words, then, should be translated in the same way as we render the book title; for example, “The most beautiful of songs,” “The most sublime song,” “The most elegant of love poems,” or even “The greatest poem about love.” In some languages it may be necessary to use a demonstrative or introductory particle: “Here is the most beautiful of all songs” or “The most beautiful of all poems, here it is.”

We drew attention in the introduction, “Translating Song of Songs,” to the phrase which is Solomon’s. We pointed to the various attempts to translate a vague Hebrew expression, namely the preposition l- attached to the proper noun “Solomon.” This construction is similar to what we find in the titles of many Psalms. The preposition l- in the title phrase is generally understood to mean “belonging to [David]” or “presented to [Moses]” rather than “written by” them. In Psa. 81.1; 82.1, for instance, it is clear that the phrase leʾasap indicates that these psalms form part of the Asaph collection. Following this pattern we can translate which is Solomon’s as “from the Solomon collection.” However, there are other possible meanings for the preposition l- in this context, such as “for” in the sense of “dedicated to” or “in honor of.” In view of the probable late date for this work, we recommend a translation such as “dedicated to Solomon” or “in honor of Solomon.” In some languages it may be necessary to say “It was written to honor Solomon” or “These were written for Solomon.” As noted in the introduction, though many versions translate the phrase as “by Solomon” (Good News Translation, New American Bible [New American Bible], Revised English Bible [Revised English Bible]), we recommend that their example should not be followed.

Suggested translations of the verse:

• The most beautiful of love poems. Dedicated to Solomon.

• Here is the most beautiful song. It was written to honor Solomon.

Quoted with permission from Ogden, Graham S. and Zogbo, Lynell. A Handbook on the Book of Song of Songs. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1998. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .