Monthly Archives: July 2012

Bernard of Clairvaux, Gilbert of Hoyland and John of Ford on the Song of Songs

Since I could not find a similar list elsewhere, I have compiled a list of the volumes in the Cistercian Fathers series on the Song of Songs with their corresponding biblical references. As I described in a previous post, the commentary was begun by Bernard, continued by Gilbert and finished by John of Ford. This list matches each volume with the verses being commented on. It is worth noting that some verses are commented on in multiple sections and that not every single “sermon” in the collection deals directly and explicitly with the text of the Song of Songs. I hope this list may be useful to someone.

  1. Bernard, On the Song of Songs, Vol. I, Cistercian Fathers 4, Song 1:1-2.
  2. Bernard, On the Song of Songs, Vol. II, Cistercian Fathers 7, Song 1:3-16.
  3. Bernard, On the Song of Songs, Vol. III, Cistercian Fathers 31, Song 2:1-15.
  4. Bernard, On the Song of Songs, Vol. IV, Cistercian Fathers 40, Song 2:16–3:3.
  5. Gilbert, On the Song of Songs, Vol. I, Cistercian Fathers 14, Song 3:1-6.
  6. Gilbert, On the Song of Songs, Vol. II, Cistercian Fathers 20, Song 3:7–4:10.
  7. Gilbert, On the Song of Songs, Vol. III, Cistercian Fathers 26, Song 4:10–5:10.
  8. John of Ford, On the Song of Songs, Vol. I, Cistercian Fathers 29, Song 5:8-11.
  9. John of Ford, On the Song of Songs, Vol. II, Cistercian Fathers 39, Song 5:11-14.
  10. John of Ford, On the Song of Songs, Vol. III, Cistercian Fathers 43, Song 5:14–6:2.
  11. John of Ford, On the Song of Songs, Vol. IV, Cistercian Fathers 44, Song 6:3-12.
  12. John of Ford, On the Song of Songs, Vol. V, Cistercian Fathers 45, Song 6:12–7:7.
  13. John of Ford, On the Song of Songs, Vol. VI, Cistercian Fathers 46, Song 7:8–8:5.
  14. John of Ford, On the Song of Songs, Vol. VII, Cistercian Fathers 47, Song 8:5-14.