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Revelation 5:8-14

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Scripture focus

8. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four [and] twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. 9. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 10. And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. 11. And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; 12. Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. 13. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, [be] unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. 14. And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four [and] twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.

Revelation 5:8-14 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Revelation 5:8

Theological / Devotional

When he had taken. This is the point at which the heavenly host responds (see on v. 7).

Four beasts. See on ch. 4:6.

Elders. See on ch. 4:4.

Harps. Gr. kitharai, “lyres,” instruments often used to accompany singing (see Vol. III, pp. 34–36), not harps. However, textual evidence attests (cf. p. 10) the reading kithara, “a lyre”; that is, each elder held a lyre in his hand. Mention here of these instruments is natural, in connection with the hymn that is about to be sung (vs. 9, 10).

Vials. Gr. phialai, “bowls,” or “saucers,” the dishes in which offerings were commonly presented. According to Josephus, phialai of incense were placed on the showbread in the sanctuary (Antiquities iii. 6. 6 [143]). That the prayers of the saints are contained in golden receptacles may indicate the preciousness with which heaven regards them.

Odours. That is, incense.

Prayers of saints. Their possession of “harps” and of incense dishes representing the prayers of saints suggests that the elders represent Christ’s triumphant church on earth, lifting its voice in song and prayer. See on vs. 9, 10.

By SdaBc