What is a canticle?

Answer

The term “canticle” originates from Latin and simply means “little song.” In Latin translations of the Bible, the Song of Solomon (also known as the Song of Songs based on the opening verse) is referred to as the Canticle of Canticles.

Canticles are biblical songs derived from texts other than the Psalms. They are non-rhythmic and can be spoken, chanted, or sung during liturgical worship services. Typically, canticles are recited during Lauds, the morning prayer service. Various denominations such as the Roman Catholic, Anglican, Episcopal, and Eastern Orthodox churches incorporate canticles into their worship. The Greek Orthodox Church, for instance, has nine biblical canticles known as odes.

Examples of Old Testament canticles include the Songs of Moses found in (Exodus 15:1-19 and Deuteronomy 32:1-43), the Song of Hannah in (1 Samuel 2:1-10), the Song of Habakkuk in (Habakkuk 3:2-19), the Song of Isaiah in (Isaiah 26:1-21), and the Song of Jonah in (Jonah 2:2-9). New Testament canticles include Ephesians 1:3–10, Philippians 2:6–11, Colossians 1:12–20, 1 Timothy 3:16, 1 Peter 2:21–24, and Revelation 4:11.

Three well-known canticles are found in the Gospel of Luke. The Benedictus is Zechariah’s hymn celebrating the birth of his son, John the Baptist, and the fulfillment of God’s promise of salvation for Israel (Luke 1:68-79). The Magnificat or Canticle of the Blessed Virgin is Mary’s song of praise upon meeting Eli.Elizabeth (Luke 1:46-55). Mary expresses joy for the privilege of giving birth to the promised Messiah and praises the Lord for His power, holiness, and mercy towards her and the nation of Israel. The Nunc Dimittis is Simeon’s hymn of joy and praise for the Lord’s salvation of all people (Luke 2:29-32). These three canticles have been used in public worship since the earliest Christian centuries and can still be found in many contemporary prayer books, including the Book of Common Prayer.

Te Deum, believed to be written by Ambrose of Milan, is the only canticle not taken directly from Scripture, although some consider it to be a hymn rather than a canticle.

Augustine of Hippo noted a distinction between canticles and psalms. While canticles are sung with the voice only, psalms are accompanied by instruments, “so by a canticle, the intelligence of the mind is signified, by a psalm the operation of the body.” Jerome, translator of the Latin Vulgate, distinguished them “to the effect that psalms properly belong to the region of ethics, so that we know through the bodily organs what to do or avoid—while canticles deal with higher matters, the harmony of the universe, and the order and concord of creation” (Hotham, H. J., “Canticle,” A Dictionary of Christian Antiquities, Vol. I, Smith & Cheetham, eds., London: John Murray, 1875, p. 284).

Psalms, then, are poetic compositions from the Bible set to music for praise and worship. Canticles, on the other hand, are non-metrical biblical texts that are chanted, spoken, or sung.