BENEDICITE

A canticle used at Morning Prayer, after the first le on. This canticle is so called because, in the Latin version, it so begins. It is called “The Song of the Three Children,” because Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah (whom the prince of the eunuchs named Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, Dan. i. 7) are reported to have sung it in the burning fiery furnace, into which they were cast by order of Nebuchadnezzar for adhering stedfastly to their God , (Dan. iii. 19,) ., and in which God preserved them in a miraculous manner (ver. 27).— Dr. Bennet. This and the Te Deum are the only hymns used in our service that are of man’s composing. Our Church being careful, even beyond all the ancient Churches, in singing to God , to sing in the words of God .— Dr. Bi e. This statement of Dr. Bi e is not altogether correct. The hymns “Holy, holy, holy Lord God of hosts,” and the “Gloria in Excels is,” though suggested by Holy Scripture, are human compilations. And the metrical Veni Creator is also of man’s composing. The Benedicite was prescribed to be used in Lent, by King Edward VI.’s First Book.— Jebb.