This verse comes from a canticle, or song of praise, known as the "Song of the Three Holy Children" or "Benedicite," which is found in the Book of Daniel (specifically, in the Deuterocanonical portion of Daniel 3). Specifically, the verse is 1:37 in the Book of Daniel. This book is considered canonical, or part of the Bible, for Catholics and Orthodox Christians.
Let's break down the meaning:
"O you angels of the Lord, bless you the Lord...": This is an invocation, or calling upon, all the angels in heaven. The verb "bless" means to offer praise, thanksgiving, and adoration. It is not meant in the sense of bestowing a benefit upon God, but rather acknowledging His inherent goodness and worthiness of honor. Thus, the angels are being called upon to praise the Lord.
"...praise and exalt him above all forever.": This part emphasizes how the angels should bless the Lord. They should praise Him, meaning to offer words of thanks and appreciation for His attributes and actions. They should also exalt Him, which means to lift Him up, to magnify His greatness and holiness. The phrase "above all forever" signifies that God's worthiness of praise and exaltation has no limits. He is supreme and eternal, deserving of honor above everything else and for all time.
In essence, the verse is a call to all the angels to continuously and wholeheartedly praise and glorify God, acknowledging His supreme power and everlasting reign.
The context of the "Song of the Three Holy Children" is important. The three young men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, were thrown into a fiery furnace for refusing to worship a golden idol. While in the furnace, miraculously unharmed, they sing this song of praise to God. Their song is not just a personal expression of faith, but a call to all creation to join in praising God's greatness. The inclusion of angels in this call emphasizes the universality of God's glory and the importance of all beings, both earthly and heavenly, acknowledging and celebrating it.
This verse comes from a canticle, or song of praise, known as the "Song of the Three Holy Children" or "Benedicite," which is found in the Book of Daniel (specifically, in the Deuterocanonical portion of Daniel 3). Specifically, the verse is 1:37 in the Book of Daniel. This book is considered canonical, or part of the Bible, for Catholics and Orthodox Christians.
Let's break down the meaning:
"O you angels of the Lord, bless you the Lord...": This is an invocation, or calling upon, all the angels in heaven. The verb "bless" means to offer praise, thanksgiving, and adoration. It is not meant in the sense of bestowing a benefit upon God, but rather acknowledging His inherent goodness and worthiness of honor. Thus, the angels are being called upon to praise the Lord.
"...praise and exalt him above all forever.": This part emphasizes how the angels should bless the Lord. They should praise Him, meaning to offer words of thanks and appreciation for His attributes and actions. They should also exalt Him, which means to lift Him up, to magnify His greatness and holiness. The phrase "above all forever" signifies that God's worthiness of praise and exaltation has no limits. He is supreme and eternal, deserving of honor above everything else and for all time.
In essence, the verse is a call to all the angels to continuously and wholeheartedly praise and glorify God, acknowledging His supreme power and everlasting reign.
The context of the "Song of the Three Holy Children" is important. The three young men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, were thrown into a fiery furnace for refusing to worship a golden idol. While in the furnace, miraculously unharmed, they sing this song of praise to God. Their song is not just a personal expression of faith, but a call to all creation to join in praising God's greatness. The inclusion of angels in this call emphasizes the universality of God's glory and the importance of all beings, both earthly and heavenly, acknowledging and celebrating it.
