or their comfort through the holy might of God. The burning
flame was quenched and scattered where Hananiah, Azariah, and
Mishael, with brave hearts, were walking in the furnace, and the
angel with them who preserved their lives, who was the fourth.
Devout of heart, the three youths praised the Lord, and called
upon the sons of Israel and all created things of earth to bless
the Everlasting God, the Lord of nations. With understanding
hearts they spake with one accord:
LIII
(ll. 362-408) "O let the beauty of the world, and all Thy works,
bless Thee, our Gracious Father, the heavens and all the angels,
and the shining waters! Let all, who in Thy great creation dwell
in heavenly glory, bless the Lord of might! Let all things made,
the shining orbs that circle through the heavens, the sun and
moon, praise Thee in their degree. Let the stars of heaven, and
dew and the fierce storm, praise Thee. O let the souls of men
bless the Lord of might! Let burning fire and radiant summer
praise Thee. Let night and day and all lands, light and
darkness, heat and cold, praise Thee in their degree. Let frost
and snow and wintry weather and the flying clouds bless the Lord
of might! Let the swift, shining lightnings bless Thee! Let all
the earth, the hills and plains and lofty mountains, the salt
sea-waves and ocean, and the welling springs, praise the
Everlasting God, the Righteous Lord! Let the whales, and the
birds of the air that fly in the heavens, praise Thee. Let all
that move in the water, wild beasts and all cattle, bless Thy
name! Let all men praise Thee, yea! let Israel bless the Lord,
who giveth all good things. Let holy men of heart, the spirits
and souls of the righteous, praise the Everlasting God, the Lord
of life, who giveth a reward to all. Let Hananiah and Azariah
and Mishael praise the Lord! We worship Thee and bless Thee,
Lord of men, Almighty Father, and Thee, True Son of God, Saviour
of souls and Helper of mankind, and Thee, O Holy Ghost, the God
of wisdom. We praise Thee, Holy Lord, and worship Thee with
prayer. Blessed art Thou, and adorned with holy might for ever,
above the world's roof reigning King of heaven, and Lord of life
in every land."
(ll. 409-415) Then Nebuchadnezzar, the lord of that people, spake
unto the princes who stood nigh unto him and said: "Ye beheld, my
princes, how we cast three men to a fiery death in the blazing
flames. And now, in truth, I see four men therei
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