8 When He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.

9a And they sang a new song: “Worthy are You to take the scroll and open its seals,

— Revelation 5:8-9a

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise, the fruit of lips that confess His name.

— Hebrews 13:15

Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully with a shout of joy.

— Psalm 33:3

He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.

— Psalm 40:3

Sing to the LORD a new song—His praise from the ends of the earth—you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, you islands, and all who dwell in them.

— Isaiah 42:10

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace and love from God the Father and the Lord Jesus to you.

When the Lamb takes the scroll, intense praise bursts forth from the 4 living creatures and the elders. They sing and worship until heaven resounds with joyful praise! The 4 living creatures and elders each also carry a golden bowl full of incense, reflecting the daily offerings of the temple priests. Smoke from incense symbolically carried the prayers of God’s people aloft to Him as sweet-smelling praise. The golden bowls in John’s vision carry the same symbolism. The prayers of God’s people fill the golden bowls.

Then a new song, the first of three glorious hymns, erupts from the elders and living creatures and fills heaven. This song unveils God’s power and goodness in a new way. Heaven is a place of authentic worship and unrestrained celebration. Music, the language of the heart, captures profound truth and emotions that words alone cannot express. The wonder of what Jesus did on behalf of undeserving and unworthy sinners will be the theme of heaven’s music for eternity. The elders’ song announces Jesus’ death and resurrection as God’s decisive act in history. It declares Jesus worthy to receive praises, exaltation, honor, glory and power.