Beginning around 1135, Bernard of Clairvaux composed his influential eighty-six sermons on the Song of Songs, interpreting the biblical text as an allegory of the soul's union with Christ. These sermons became foundational texts of Christian mysticism and medieval spiritual literature.

Bernard's exegesis transformed the Song of Songs into a central text for mystical poetry across Europe, influencing vernacular love poetry and the development of courtly love conventions. His fusion of erotic imagery with divine longing provided a template for later poets from the troubadours to Dante.