8 Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song, saying:
“You are worthy to take the scroll,
And to open its seals;
For You were slain,
And have redeemed us to God by Your blood
Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,
10 And have made [a]us kings[b] and priests to our God;
And [c]we shall reign on the earth.”
11 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice:
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
To receive power and riches and wisdom,
And strength and honor and glory and blessing!”
When John saw the throne and the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders, he also saw a slain Lamb standing in the centre. This slain Lamb had the marks of sacrifice on it. It was a picture of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.
He was slain to defeat the powers of sin, death, and hell, and was therefore qualified to open the scroll (Rev 5:6) that would punish all those who refuse to believe on the name of the only begotten Son of God. He had already ransomed people for God.
Now when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four Elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
Then they praised and worshiped the Lamb, saying, “Amen! We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty, the One who sits on the throne, who lives and reigns forever.”
They were joined by heavenly angels. The number of the heavenly angels was ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands.
These heavenly angels sing an amazing hymn of praise and worship to the Lamb. The song begins with a prayer, asking the Lamb to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength, and then it moves to a declaration of His worthiness to take the scroll and make the ransomed people all over the world a kingdom of priests to serve their God.
Lyrics:
Thank you for the cross Lord
Thank you for the price You paid
Bearing all my sin and shame
In love You came
And gave amazing grace
Thank you for this love Lord
Thank you for the nail pierced hands
Washed me in Your cleansing flow
Now all I know
Your forgiveness and embrace
Worthy is the Lamb
Seated on the throne
Crown You now with many crowns
You reign victorious
High and lifted up
Jesus Son of God
The Darling of Heaven crucified
Worthy is the Lamb
Worthy is the Lamb
CCLI #: 3217555
© Hillsong Music 2000
Words & Music by Darlene Zschech
