Reciprocal Praise

Why is the Song of Songs the best Song?  According to a contemporary Jewish commentary ( Shir Hashirim / Song Of Songs: An allegorical translation based upon Rashi with a commentary anthologized from Talmudic, Midrashic, and Rabbinic sources (Artscroll Tanach Series) ), it is this: “in the other songs in Scripture, either God praises Israel or Israel praises Him.  The other songs are thus referred to as ‘holy.’  Song of Songs, however, is referred to as ‘holy of holies’ – i.e., supreme, dual holiness because it contains reciprocal praises between God and Israel.”

The same commentary cites a Midrashic suggestion that the phrase Song of Songs points to the fact that the Song is “double and redoubled.”  ”You are beautiful, my darling; behold, you are beautiful,” Solomon writes in 1:15, doubling his praise.  But then the same double phrase is repeated in 4:7, redoubling it.