Who wrote Song of Solomon?

from the old testament

• Song of Solomon itself attributes authorship to Solomon. The opening verse states: “The Song of Songs, which is Solomon’s” (Song of Solomon 1:1). This is the clearest statement of authorship in the text. While some scholars debate whether Solomon personally wrote every line, whether the work was later preserved and arranged, or whether the Song of Solomon was written for Solomon, it is most likely that Solomon is the author.
  
• Solomon’s reputation as a songwriter supports his authorship. Scripture describes Solomon as a prolific writer of songs: “He also spoke 3,000 proverbs, and his songs were 1,005” (1 Kings 4:32). The Song of Solomon fits within this description of Solomon’s wisdom and literary work.
  
• Song of Solomon reflects a royal setting consistent with Solomon’s life. The Song contains references to royal imagery, wealth, gardens, spices, vineyards, and a kingly court (Song of Solomon 3:6–11; 6:8–9).
• Solomon’s name appears throughout the book (Song of Solomon 1:5; 3:7, 9, 11; 8:11–12), connecting the work to Israel’s king.
  
• Song of Solomon reflects the wisdom tradition associated with Solomon (Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon). Like Proverbs, Song of Solomon explores God’s wise design for human relationships, love, wisdom, and faithful living.
  
• Solomon’s personal life provides the historical background for the book. Solomon had many wives and concubines (1 Kings 11:3), which raises questions about how the Song’s picture of exclusive marital love fits with his later life. Still, the Song of Solomon itself celebrates faithful, passionate, covenantal love between a man and a woman (Song of Solomon 2:16; 6:3; 8:6–7), reflecting God's design for marriage rather than Solomon’s later disobedience.

from the new testament

• Though the New Testament does not reference Solomon's Song of Solomon, it affirms Solomon’s role as a biblical figure associated with wisdom. Jesus referred to Solomon’s greatness and wisdom: “The queen of the South came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon”(Matthew 12:42). 
  
• Jesus recognized Solomon’s historical identity as Israel’s king. Jesus referenced Solomon’s glory and splendor: “Even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these” (Matthew 6:29).
• The New Testament confirms that Scripture comes from God, regardless of the human author. All Scripture is described as “breathed out by God” (2 Timothy 3:16).Human authors wrote under the guidance of the Holy Spirit: “Men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:21). Therefore, even though Solomon is identified as the human author, God is the ultimate Author of the Song of Solomon.

implications for today

One of the most striking things about Song of Solomon is that Solomon wrote beautifully about God’s design for faithful, covenantal love, yet his own life veered far off from that design (1 Kings 11:1–3). Solomon understood the wisdom of God’s plan but failed to follow it. This serves as a warning to us that knowing God’s truth is not the same as living it. We can know what is right while still allowing our hearts to wander.

But following God's design is where life and true flourishing are found. His commands regarding marriage, relationships, and holiness are not meant to take away joy but to protect and cultivate the life He created us to experience. When we follow God’s wisdom, we find the freedom, intimacy, and purpose He intended. But when we believe we know better than God, we will experience the consequences of stepping outside His good design.

Song of Solomon calls us not only to admire God’s wisdom but to submit to it. The goal is not merely to know what God says about love, faithfulness, and relationships, but to embrace it and live it out. Like Solomon, we need the humility to recognize that wisdom must lead to obedience because following God's ways is where true life and flourishing are found.