this canticle is of particularly splendid history. it is the song said to have been sung by three young men as they were tossed into the burning fiery furnace by king Nebuchadnezzar when they refused to worship an idol. they sang this song in the fire as they were miraculously preserved from its effects, and then released by Nebuchadnezzar, who exclaimed, blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants who trusted in him.
this canticle is found in the bible either as an addition to the book of Daniel, in chapter 3, or as a separate book in the apocrypha. the version here is that used by the episcopal church. this canticle is used on saturday mornings by the episcopal church.
glorify the Lord, all you works of the Lord,
praise him and highly exalt him for ever.
in the firmament of his power, glorify the Lord,
praise him and highly exalt him for ever.
the cosmic order
glorify the Lord, you angels and all powers of the Lord,
o heavens and all waters above the heavens.
sun and moon and stars of the sky, glorify the Lord,
praise him and highly exalt him for ever.
glorify the Lord, every shower of rain and fall of dew,
all winds and fire and heat.
winter and summer, glorify the Lord,
praise him and highly exalt him for ever.
glorify the Lord, o chill and cold,
drops of dew and flakes of snow.
frost and cold, ice and sleet, glorify the Lord,
praise him and highly exalt him for ever.
glorify the Lord, o nights and days,
o shining light and enfolding dark.
storm clouds and thunderbolts, glorify the Lord,
praise him and highly exalt him for ever.
the earth and its creatures
let the earth glorify the Lord,
praise him and highly exalt him for ever.
glorify the Lord, o mountains and hills,
and all that grows upon the earth,
praise him and highly exalt him for ever.
glorify the Lord, o springs of water, seas, and streams,
o whales and all that move in the waters,
all birds of the air, glorify the Lord,
praise him and highly exalt him for ever.
glorify the Lord, o beasts of the wild,
and all you flocks and herds.
o men and women everywhere, glorify the Lord,
praise him and highly exalt him for ever.
the people of God
let the people of God glorify the Lord,
praise him and highly exalt him for ever.
glorify the Lord, o priests and servants of the Lord,
praise him and highly exalt him for ever.
glorify the Lord, o spirits and souls of the righteous,
praise him and highly exalt him for ever.
you that are holy and humble of heart, glorify the Lord,
praise him and highly exalt him for ever.
doxology
let us glorify the Lord: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit;
praise him and highly exalt him for ever.
in the firmament of his power, glorify the Lord,
praise him and highly exalt him for ever.
