Pentecost Season · The Most Holy Trinity · Year A

Daniel 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56 (52b)

The Canticle of the Three Young Men

May 31, 2026

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the Burning Fiery Furnace, J. M. W. Turner — **Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the Burning Fiery Furnace**, J. M. W. Turner, 1832Tate, London · public domain

Roman Lectionary

GospelJohn 3:16-18

First ReadingExod. 34:4b-6, 8-9

Responsorial PsalmDan. 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56 (52b)

Second Reading2 Cor. 13:11-13

Overview & Insights

"Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever." (Daniel 3:52)

From within the fiery furnace the three young men sing a blessing that calls on God and all creation to praise him. The church uses this canticle from Daniel as the Trinity Sunday response.

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Commentary

Daniel 3 Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik

Verse by verse study of the furnace and the song of praise.

Barnes' Notes: Daniel 3 StudyLight

A historic verse by verse commentary on the chapter.

Background & Word Study

Daniel 3 (Douay-Rheims with Haydock) New Advent · Catholic Encyclopedia

The Catholic text that includes the canticle sung in the furnace with Haydock's notes.

Daniel 3 (Hebrew and English) Sefaria

The canonical furnace narrative in which the canticle is set, with Jewish commentary.

The Church Fathers

Daniel 3 - Catena Catena

Patristic comment on the song of the three young men from the Church Fathers.

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