Revelation 5:8 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

And when he had taken the book, the four living creatures fell down Now is homage done to the Lamb by the whole Christian Church and all its members, represented by these four living creatures. These, together with the elders, make the beginning, and afterward (Rev 5:14) the conclusion. They are together surrounded with a multitude of angels, (Revelation 5:11,) and together sing the new song, as they had before praised God together, Revelation 4:8, &c. Having every one That is, each of the elders, not of the living creatures; harps Κιθαραν, a harp, which was one of the chief instruments of thanksgiving in the temple service; a fit emblem of the melody of their hearts; and golden vials Cups or censers; full of odours Or incense, producing odours; which are the prayers of the saints That is, fit representations of them. As if the apostle had said, As I understood these elders to be the representatives of the church, I apprehended that, in allusion to the incense offered in the temple, while the people were praying, this circumstance had a reference to prayer, and was intended to show how acceptable it is to God, when it proceeds from a holy and an upright heart. And they sung Or, rather, sing, αδουσιν, a new song One which neither they nor any others had sung before; saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, &c. That is, to undertake the work of revealing and accomplishing the designs of God's providence toward the world, and of his grace toward his church; for thou wast slain A sacrifice of propitiation; and by thy blood hast redeemed us to God So the living creatures also were of the number of the redeemed; but this does not so much refer to the act of redemption, which was long before, as to the fruit of it; namely, deliverance from the guilt and power of sin; the tyranny of Satan; the curse of the law; and the wrath of a justly offended God, whose servants and favourites they were now become. Out of every kindred; &c. That is, out of all mankind. And hast made us, who are thus redeemed, unto our God kings and priests Consecrated to his service, and honoured with the liberty of a near approach to his presence, to offer up prayers and praises acceptable in his sight; and we shall reign on the earth The Christian cause shall prevail through all ages, while those happy persons who have passed courageously through their trials on earth shall, at the appointed season, share the honours of thy triumphant kingdom in the new heavens and new earth.