Dr. Tremper Longman III's commentary on Song of Songs in the prestigious New International Commentary on the Old Testament series represents a landmark achievement in evangelical biblical scholarship, providing what many consider the finest treatment of this challenging book available from a conservative perspective. As one of the world's leading authorities on Hebrew Wisdom literature and Old Testament poetry, Longman brings exceptional expertise to this ancient love poem that has received surprisingly little attention from scholars, churches, and Bible readers despite its profound insights into human relationships and divine love. His comprehensive approach combines rigorous academic analysis with pastoral sensitivity, producing a commentary that serves both serious scholarship and practical ministry needs while addressing one of Scripture's most intimate and theologically significant books.

Longman's groundbreaking contribution lies in his demonstration of how Song of Songs functions as a sophisticated collection of twenty-three poetic units that celebrate the male-female relationship while serving as an analogy for God's love for His people. His fresh translation and detailed verse-by-verse exposition reveal the rich metaphors and obvious sexual connotations that fill these poems, treated with both scholarly precision and delicate sensitivity. His anthropological approach to the text, combined with frequent comparisons to other ancient Near Eastern literature, illuminates the cultural background that enhances understanding of the Song's imagery and themes. His extensive introduction addresses crucial questions of authorship, literary style, and the history of interpretation, including the long tradition of repression that has unfortunately characterized much of the Song's interpretive history.

This learned yet highly accessible 254-page volume serves as an indispensable resource for pastors seeking to preach faithfully from this often-neglected book, seminary students wanting to understand how biblical literature addresses fundamental human experiences, and serious Bible readers desiring to discover how ancient expressions of love continue to inform contemporary Christian understanding of relationships and sexuality. Longman's innovative yet fully informed approach has earned widespread acclaim as "one of the most helpful commentaries there is for understanding the details of the text sensitively but with full focus on the physical and sexual aspects of the poetry." His work demonstrates why Song of Songs deserves recognition as a timeless celebration of human love and sexuality that reveals profound truths about both human relationships and divine love, making this commentary essential for anyone seeking comprehensive engagement with one of Scripture's most beautiful and challenging books.