Revelation of John 4:9
A plain-spoken deep dive on this verse. Read the chapter →
And whenever the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to the One seated on the throne who lives forever and ever,
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
The ground of praise here is God's eternity, and God's power and glory manifested in the creation of all things for His pleasure. Creation is the foundation of all God's other acts of power, wisdom, and love, and therefore forms the first theme of His creatures' thanksgivings. The four living creatures take the lead of the twenty-four elders, both in this anthem, and in that new song which follows on the ground of their redemption (Rev 5:8-10). when--that is, whensoever: as often as. A simultaneous giving of glory on the part of the beasts, and on the part of the elders. give--"shall give" in one oldest manuscript. for ever and ever--Greek, "unto the ages of the ages."
Open source ↗In this chapter the prophetical scene opens; and, as the epistolary part opened with a vision of Christ (ch. 1), so this part is introduced with a glorious appearance of the great God, whose throne is in heaven, compassed about with the heavenly host. This discovery was made to John, and in this chapter he, I. Records the heavenly sight he saw (Rev 4:1-7). And then, II. The heavenly songs he heard (Rev 4:8 to the end).
Open source ↗4:9-11 The antiphonal chorus of twenty-four elders provides divine perspective on creation. • The one sitting on the throne is typical Jewish indirection to avoid speaking God’s name.
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
And he swore by Him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and everything in it, the earth and everything in it, and the sea and everything in it: “There will be no more delay!
Then one of the four living creatures gave the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God, who lives forever and ever.
God reigns over the nations; God is seated on His holy throne.
the Living One. I was dead, and behold, now I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of Death and of Hades.
But at the end of those days I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up to heaven, and my sanity was restored to me. Then I praised the Most High, and I honored and glorified Him who lives forever: “For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom endures from generation to generation.
The LORD will reign forever and ever!”
For this God is our God forever and ever; He will be our guide even till death.
And the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, raised his right hand and his left hand toward heaven, and I heard him swear by Him who lives forever, saying, “It will be for a time, and times, and half a time. When the power of the holy people has finally been shattered, all these things will be completed.”
In the case of the Levites, mortal men collect the tenth; but in the case of Melchizedek, it is affirmed that he lives on.
Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them.