And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.
Ver. 4. The smoke of the incense] The saints' prayers perfumed with Christ's odours ascended, that is, were highly accepted in heaven, Acts 10:4; Exodus 3:9, as well appeared by the answer they had here in the next verse. The Church is said to ascend out of the wilderness of this world with pillars of smoke, Song of Solomon 3:6. Elationibus fumi, with raised affections, and with strong supplications, wherein how many sweet spices are burned together by the fire of faith, as humility, love, &c. All which would stink worse in God's nostrils than the onions and garlic of Egypt, did not Christ perfume and present them.