song of the three children: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal / Religious / Literary
Quick answer
What does “song of the three children” mean?
A specific canticle or hymn from the biblical Apocrypha (Book of Daniel) sung by Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A specific canticle or hymn from the biblical Apocrypha (Book of Daniel) sung by Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace.
Any hymn or expression of praise in the midst of trial or suffering, often used to refer to liturgical canticles derived from the biblical text (Benedicite, omnia opera Domini).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British liturgical contexts (e.g., Book of Common Prayer), 'The Song of the Three Children' is a standard title for the canticle 'Benedicite'. In American contexts, it is less commonly referenced outside of academic or high-church liturgical settings.
Connotations
Connotes traditional Anglican/Episcopal liturgy in the UK. In the US, it may connote academic biblical study or traditional liturgical practice.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general discourse. Higher frequency in specific UK liturgical publications compared to the US.
Grammar
How to Use “song of the three children” in a Sentence
The [Song of the Three Children] is sung/recited/found.A reading from the [Song of the Three Children].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “song of the three children” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The choir will sing the Song of the Three Children at matins.
- They chanted the Song of the Three Children.
American English
- The congregation recited the Song of the Three Children.
- We studied the Song of the Three Children in seminary.
adjective
British English
- The Song of the Three Children canticle is lengthy.
- Its Song-of-the-Three-Children themes are evident.
American English
- The Song of the Three Children text is apocryphal.
- A Song-of-the-Three-Children-inspired hymn.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in theology, biblical studies, and liturgy courses.
Everyday
Extremely rare, except in devout religious communities.
Technical
A technical term in liturgiology and apocryphal studies.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “song of the three children”
- Using it as a common noun (e.g., 'a song of the three children'). It is a proper noun and requires capitalisation.
- Confusing it with other biblical songs (e.g., Song of Songs).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is found in the Apocrypha, which is included in Catholic and Orthodox Bibles but often omitted or separated in Protestant Bibles.
It is the Latin opening word ('Bless!') of the canticle, hence its alternative name 'Benedicite, omnia opera Domini' (Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord).
In traditions like Anglicanism, it is used as a canticle in morning prayer (matins) as an alternative to the Te Deum.
No, they are young men or youths (Hebrew/Aramaic: נְעַר, Aramaic: עוּלֵּימִין). The term 'children' is an archaic translation for 'young men'.
A specific canticle or hymn from the biblical Apocrypha (Book of Daniel) sung by Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace.
Song of the three children is usually formal / religious / literary in register.
Song of the three children: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsɒŋ əv ðə ˌθriː ˈtʃɪldrən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsɔːŋ əv ðə ˌθriː ˈtʃɪldrən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To have a Song of the Three Children moment (idiomatic, very rare): to find praise or hope in a desperate situation.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: THREE children in a fire, singing a SONG. It's a specific SONG by THREE specific CHILDREN from the Bible.
Conceptual Metaphor
PRAISE IS A SONG IN THE FIRE (enduring hardship with faith and praise).
Practice
Quiz
In which book of the Bible is the 'Song of the Three Children' found?