Guide
Noncanonical Hymns of Biblical Characters
6th Century BCE–1st Century CE
By Carol Bakhos
Moments of salvation or good fortune in biblical stories provided opportunities for later authors to compose poems of praise and thanksgiving. For more hymns attributed to biblical characters, see Prayers of and about Women; for other poems in this genre, see Personal Hymns.
Related Primary Sources
Primary Source
Daniel’s Thanksgiving for Enlightenment
Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night, and Daniel blessed the God of heaven.
Daniel said:
“Blessed be the name of God from age to age,for wisdom…
Primary Source
Hymn of the Three Youths
But the angel of the Lord came down into the furnace to be with Azariah and his companions, and drove the fiery flame out of the furnace, and made the inside of the furnace as though a moist wind…
Primary Source
David’s Song of Praise
A Hallelujah of David the Son of Jesse
…
Primary Source
King David Floor Mosaic, Gaza
This floor mosaic from the Gaza synagogue depicts King David playing a lyre as wild animals listen placidly.
Primary Source
David’s Praise for Deliverance
Spoken by David After Receiving God’s Grace When He Delivered Him from the Lion and the Wolf and Those Two He Killed by His Hands.
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