THE FORGOTTEN BOOKS OF EDEN: The Odes of Solomon: Intro
THE FORGOTTEN BOOKS OF EDEN
Translated in the late 1800's
by
Dr. S. C. Malan and Dr. E. Trumpp.
Translated into King James English from both the Arabic version and the
Ethiopic version which was then published in The Forgotten Books of Eden in
1927 by The World Publishing Company.
THE ODES OF SOLOMON.
part of the "Forgotten" books of Eden
HERE are some of the most beautiful songs of peace and joy that the world possesses.
Yet their origin, the date of their writing, and the exact meaning of many of the
verses remain one of the great literary mysteries.
They have come down to us in a single and very ancient document in Syriac language.
Evidently that document is a translation from the original Greek. Critical debate
has raged around these Odes; one of the most plausible explanations is that they
are songs of newly baptized Christians of the First Century.
They are strangely lacking in historical allusions. Their radiance is no reflection
of other days. They do not borrow from either the Old Testament or the Gospels.
The inspiration of these verses is first-hand. They remind you of Aristides' remark,
"A new people with whom something Divine is mingled." Here is vigor and insight
to which we can find parallels only in the most exalted parts of the Scriptures.
For these dazzling mystery odes, we owe our translation to J. Rendel Harris,
MA., Hon. Fellow of Clare College, Cambridge. He says about them: "There does not
seem to be anything about which everyone seem agreed unless it be that the Odes
are of singular beauty and high spiritual value."
