6 minSummaryRead it, hear it, the 15-minute summary, and print and large print at costPaperback · 6 × 9 in · 48 pagesHardcover · 6 × 9 in · 48 pagesAbout this book
What if a song could turn spiritual thirst into living water, and the soul into a harp?
The Odes of Solomon gathers forty-two short hymns of praise, written by unknown singers in Solomon’s name. Their voices speak of love for God, joy, and the presence of the Spirit. Rooted in early Christian devotion, these poems invite you into a world where faith takes shape through intimate, vivid images.
A crown never withers. The Spirit plays the singer like a harp. A dove flies over the Messiah, and Christ descends among the dead. Through the Beloved, living water, and songs of liberation, the Odes explore spiritual awakening. They offer images rather than arguments, leaving room to linger with their dreamlike language.
What you’ll discover
- The crown of truth Enter the opening ode’s image of a living crown that never withers.
- Songs of the Beloved Meet a devotional voice that speaks of loving God with the closeness of friendship.
- A harp for the Spirit Discover how the sixth ode turns the singer into an instrument played by the Spirit.
- Water for spiritual thirst Follow images of living water as the poems sing of grace and inner awakening.
- The dove and the descent Explore poems that portray the Messiah beneath a singing dove and Christ among the dead.
Who will love it
You will love this if you enjoy mystical poetry, the Psalms, the Song of Songs, or the roots of early Christianity. Its images of water, light and love invite reflection.
What’s inside
The key ideas, in the 15-minute summary
- Songs from the earliest Christian communities
- Love that comes first and a crown of truth
- Water, milk and dew feed the believer
- One voice for the singer and the Savior
- Light enters the darkness and error is unmasked
- The descent to the dead and the open arms
- Hymns made for worship with the harp of the Spirit
Formats and delivery
- eBook
- On your phone, tablet or computer, once the book texts are online.
- Large-print eBook
- The same book in bigger, clearer type, once the book texts are online.
- 15-minute summary
- The key ideas in about 6 minutes, to read today.
- Paperback
- 6 × 9 in, 48 pages: USD 4.95 when you start free, USD 4.95 on its own.
- Hardcover
- 6 × 9 in, 48 pages: USD 13.95 when you start free, USD 13.95 on its own.
- Large print paperback
- 8.5 × 11 in, 70 pages: USD 5.95 when you start free, USD 5.95 on its own.
- Large print hardcover
- 8.5 × 11 in, 70 pages: USD 14.95 when you start free, USD 14.95 on its own.
Every printed copy is made when you order it and shipped worldwide; shipping is shown at checkout. The eBook and the audiobook open when the book texts go online.
How it works
- Start free. Nothing to pay today; the eBook of this book is yours to keep.
- Read, listen and print. 200,000+ classics as eBook, large-print eBook, audiobook and 15-minute summary, and any book printed at cost as a paperback, hardcover or large print, 5 accounts for the price of one.
- We remind you first. Free for 3 months, and we email you 7 days before your first payment. Then USD 0.14 a day in your first year on the yearly plan and USD 0.27 a day after, or USD 0.66 a day on the monthly plan. Cancel online in two clicks.
Bought on its own? Every eBook, audiobook and printed book you buy without the plan carries our 30-day money-back guarantee.
The Odes of Solomon
A poet drinks living water, wears a crown of truth, and sings of milk from divine breasts.
Medium levelUnder 2 hours to readEnglish
Excellent
- Read, large type too
- Print and large print at cost
- 5 accounts for the price of one
Free for 3 months · starts right away, on any device
Read free3 months free · cancel anytimeFree for 3 months, then USD 0.14 a dayCancel anytimeHow it works
In short
What would the first Christians sing when no one was arguing? The Odes of Solomon answer with forty-two hymns of crowns, rivers, milk and light, written by an unknown poet in the early centuries of the Common Era.
From the 15-minute summary · Key idea 1
Songs from the earliest Christian communities
The Odes of Solomon is a collection of forty-two hymns by an unknown author, or perhaps several authors. Scholars place them between the late first and the mid-second century, and they disagree about the exact date. Most think they arose in Syrian Christianity, near Antioch or Edessa.
A Syriac copy found in 1909 brought the songs back into view.
Free for 3 months · Cancel anytime
You looked at
Which edition is right for me
- 15-minute summary
- The key ideas of the whole book in about 6 minutes. A good first look, or a refresher.
- Paperback
- Light and easy to carry. A real book for the bedside table and the beach.
- Hardcover
- Made to last. For the shelf, and for giving.
- Large print paperback
- Bigger, clearer type. Easy on the eyes for long evenings and for reading aloud.
- Large print hardcover
- Bigger, clearer type. Easy on the eyes for long evenings and for reading aloud.
See the type size
Pick a size and read a line at that size. Hold your phone at reading distance.
A poet drinks living water, wears a crown of truth, and sings of milk from divine breasts.
Shown close to the printed size on most screens.
Details
- Language
- English
- Level
- Medium level
- Paperback
- 48 pages · 6 × 9 in
- Hardcover
- 48 pages · 6 × 9 in
- Large print paperback
- 70 pages · 8.5 × 11 in
- Large print hardcover
- 70 pages · 8.5 × 11 in
- Delivery and returns
- Printed when you order. Usually here in 12 to 14 days.Arrives Thu 12 Nov to Wed 18 Novto United States, printed for you at cost
For Christmas, order by Thu 12 Nov
Free gifts
USD 580 in free gifts when you start
Every book in every format and in 25 languages, 5 accounts for the price of one. Nothing to pay today.
- 200,000+ classic eBooksIn 25 languages, side by side
USD 170FREE - Every audiobookIn 25 languages, any device
USD 120FREE - 15-minute summariesRead or listen, in 25 languages
USD 60FREE - Print at cost, no markupPaperback, hardcover, large print
USD 60FREE - 5 accounts for the price of oneA shelf for everyone at home
USD 170FREE - A part in rebuilding the libraryNew languages and books for all
FREE
Questions about The Odes of Solomon
Can I read it free?
Yes. The first key idea of the 15-minute summary is free with no sign-up. Start free and the whole book is yours for 3 months, with the eBook to keep, plus 200,000+ more classics and any book printed at cost as a paperback, hardcover or large print. Nothing to pay today: we email you 7 days before your first payment, and you can cancel online in two clicks.
Can I buy just the printed book?
Yes. The paperback costs USD 4.95 on its own. Start free and you pay the cost of printing: USD 4.95 for this paperback, and any other book at cost as a paperback, hardcover or large print.
How many accounts do I get?
Five, for the price of one: you and 4 more people, each with their own login, shelf and their own place in every book.
Can I cancel anytime?
Yes. Cancel online in two clicks at any time and nothing more is charged. Nothing is charged in your first 3 months, and we email you 7 days before your first payment.
What are the Odes of Solomon about?
They are forty-two hymns of praise that describe the joy of being loved and transformed by God. They use images of crowns, water, milk, light and a harp to express union with the divine.
Did King Solomon write the Odes of Solomon?
No. The author is unknown, and the poems arose in early Christian times, long after Solomon. Attaching a famous name to new sacred poetry was a common ancient custom, as with Proverbs and the Song of Songs.
Why are the Odes of Solomon not in the Bible?
They stand outside the biblical canon, but their absence alone does not explain why they were excluded. They were used and copied in some communities, but the Church Fathers rarely quoted them, and the full collection was lost for centuries.
More like this
Our mission
The library burned once. We are building it back.
Every great book, in every language and every format, for every family. Every plan helps pay for new languages, new audiobooks and books for readers who have never had them. Join the movement.
Read our story- Every language25 languages today, side by side, and more every year
- No wastePrinted on demand: no warehouses, no unsold stock, no pulped copies
- For everyonePaperback, hardcover and large print at the cost of printing
