Revelation 5:8

A thrill of satisfaction over Christ's ability. “It is the manner of God thus to endear mercies to us, as he endeared a wife to Adam. He first brought all creatures to him, that he might first see that there was not a helpmeet for him among them” (Goodwin). John lays dramatic emphasis on Jesus only. ἐνωπ. τ. ἀ. (as before God himself, Revelation 19:4). γ. θ., cf. Soph. Oed. Tyr. 4, πόλις δʼ ὁμοῦ μὲν θυμιαμάτων γέμει. An essential feature in the rites of Roman sacrifice was music played on tibicines; the patera, a shallow saucer or ladle with a long handle attached, was also employed to pour wine on the altar. Harps held by living creatures who had no hands but only wings, and the collocation of a harp played by a person who is at the same time holding a bowl, are traits which warn us against prosaically visualising such visions. Hirscht compares the adoration of Rameses II. before the sun-god, the monarch's left hand holding his offering, his right grasping a sceptre and scourge. The fragrant smoke of incense rising from the hand of a worshipper or from an altar in the primitive cultus (cf. Ezekiel 8:2) to lose itself in upper air, became a natural symbol for prayer breathed from earth to heaven; see Philo's τὸ καθαρώτατον τοῦ θύοντος, πνεῦμα λογικόν. αἱ … ἁγίων, probably an editorial gloss like Revelation 19:8 b, suggested by the verbal parallel in Revelation 8:3 (so, e.g., Spitta, Völter, Briggs, Julicher, J. Weiss, Wellhausen, etc.). Contrast with this verse (and Revelation 5:4) the description of the enthusiastic seamen and passengers who “candidati, coronatique, et tura libantes,” praised and blessed Augustus in the bay of Puteoli as “He by whom we live, and sail secure, and enjoy our freedom and fortunes” (Suet. Vit. Aug. 98.)

The scene or stage of the apocalyptical drama is occupied by an angelic and heavenly chorus, who upon this solemn and glad occasion give their plaudite or acclamation of glory to the Lord, The future which God rules is revealed by him through Christ; and this moves enthusiastic gratitude, till the universe rings from side to side with praise.