Context No. 3108 of 4322 · Daniel (Greek)

Daniel (Greek) 3:58-73: in context

58O all you works of the Lord, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever! 59O you heavens, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all for ever! 60O you angels of the Lord, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever! 61O all you waters that are above the sky, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever! 62O all you powers of the Lord, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever! 63O you sun and moon, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever! 64O you stars of heaven, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever! 65O every shower and dew, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever! 66O all you winds, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever! 67O you fire and heat, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever! 68O you dews and storms of snow, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever! 69O you nights and days, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever! 70O you light and darkness, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever! 71O you cold and heat, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever! 72O you frost and snow, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever! 73O you lightnings and clouds, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever!

This is the song of the three young men in the fiery furnace, and it is a summons to all creation to praise. All you works of the Lord, bless the Lord! Heavens, angels, waters, sun and moon, stars, rain and dew, winds, fire and heat, snow and frost, nights and days, light and darkness, lightnings and clouds, bless the Lord, and exalt him forever.

This is a soaring hymn sung from within the flames. The three men, standing in the fire, do not curse their fate; they call the whole created order, sun and moon, wind and snow, and even fire itself, to join them in blessing God. The very fire that surrounds them is summoned to praise its Maker. It is worship that refuses to be confined by circumstance. From within the flames, they lift their eyes to the vastness of God's creation and call it all to worship him. Praise like this is not denial of the fire but defiance of despair, insisting that God is worthy of blessing from every corner of creation, even from inside the furnace.

Can I lift praise to God from the middle of my own furnace, joining all creation in blessing the One who is worthy in every circumstance?

Sources

Daniel 3:58: "O all you works of the Lord, bless the Lord! Praise and exalt him above all forever!"
Psalm 148:3: "Praise him, sun and moon! Praise him, all you shining stars!"
Psalm 150:6: "Let everything that has breath praise the LORD!"