An Old Song and a New Song

An Old Song and a New Song – Revelation chapters 4 and 5

An Old, Good Song – Praise to the Creator.

Praise the Lord from the heavens;
praise him in the heights above.
Praise him, all his angels;
praise him, all his heavenly hosts.
Praise him, sun and moon;
praise him, all you shining stars.
Praise him, you highest heavens
and you waters above the skies.
Let them praise the name of the Lord,
for at his command they were created,
and he established them for ever and ever –
he issued a decree that will never pass away.

Psalm 148:1-6

‘You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honour and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they were created
and have their being.’

Revelation 4:11

Revelation chapter 4 echoes the old but good message of praise to the Creator – He is worthy by right of His creating of everything. The four “living creatures” around the throne are mirrors reflecting parts of His glory: Kingly majesty, Strength, Wisdom, Swiftness (everywhere at once) and Knowledge (eyes seeing all).

A New Song – Worthy is the Lamb

¹¹ Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. ¹² In a loud voice they were saying:

‘Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
    to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
    and honour and glory and praise!’

Revelation 5:11-12

Revelation chapter 5 takes us much further – John the apostle expects a Lion King but sees instead a Lamb. He is worthy by right of His entry into this broken world, to give His life to rescue broken people who don’t deserve rescue. The four living creatures now sing “Worthy is the Lamb!” and are joined by zillions of angels, who at last get it! – “Even angels long to look into these things.” 1 Peter 1:12

They are joined by people from all nations, races and languages, then by everything; sun, moon, mountains, animals, trees and all kinds of people echoing again Psalm 148.

“Praise the Lord from the earth,
    you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,
⁸ lightning and hail, snow and clouds,
    stormy winds that do his bidding,
⁹ you mountains and all hills,
    fruit trees and all cedars,
¹⁰ wild animals and all cattle,
    small creatures and flying birds,
¹¹ kings of the earth and all nations,
    you princes and all rulers on earth,
¹² young men and women,
    old men and children.

Psalm 148:7-12

We too can join in

This wonderful song is like a miniature of the “Worthy is the Lamb” with people from many nations singing together the words from Revelation 5.

Does your heart join in?