canticle

[ kan-ti-kuh l ]

/ ˈkæn tɪ kəl /

one of the nonmetrical hymns or chants, chiefly from the Bible, used in church services.

a song, poem, or hymn especially of praise.

Origin of canticle

1175–1225; Middle English (< Old French) < Latin canticulum, equivalent to cantic(um) song (see canticum) + -ulum -ule

To punish you, Prince Albertinelli will read to you the canticle in which Beatrice explains the spots on the moon.

The Red Lily, Complete |Anatole France
Theodore of Mopsuestes ventured to call the "Canticle of Canticles," "a collection of impurities."

A Philosophical Dictionary, Volume 2 (of 10) |Franois-Marie Arouet (AKA Voltaire)
It was bad form—and yet we should never have known much about Regner Lodbrog but for such a canticle.

Memoirs |Charles Godfrey Leland
The King of Navarre went on with the canticle; and had no sooner finished it than the prince was born who now reigns over France.

Barn and the Pyrenees |Louisa Stuart Costello

Afterwards came the canticle: "In thy help, Virgin, do I put my trust."

The Three Cities Trilogy, Complete |Emile Zola

canticle

/ (ˈkæntɪkəl) /

a nonmetrical hymn, derived from the Bible and used in the liturgy of certain Christian churches

a song, poem, or hymn, esp one that is religious in character

C13: from Latin canticulum, diminutive of canticus a song, from canere to sing