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Song review

Revelation Song

By Kari Jobe

Year
2009
Lyrics
Available
Review
Reviewed
Themes
HolinessSovereignty and powerCross and atonement
Lyrics

Lyrics are unavailable.

Biblical reviewReviewed
Overall assessment

Worthy Lamb, Holy King

Qualifications advised

The song offers a reverent vision of God and the Lamb receiving worship, glory, honor, and thanksgiving. Its imagery powerfully invites wonder and adoration, while two poetic and doctrinal expressions benefit from careful qualification.

Central message

The song centers on worship before the holy throne, praising the worthy Lamb and the eternal King with wonder, honor, glory, and power.

Strengths

3
  • It vividly presents the slain Lamb as worthy of worship and a new song.

  • It exalts God’s holiness, almightiness, eternality, and throne-centered glory.

  • Its call to adoration is a fitting response to God and the Lamb receiving worship, glory, honor, and thanksgiving.

Concerns

1
  • qualification

    The rainbow imagery is drawn from the throne’s surroundings, so describing the King as clothed in rainbows is poetic adaptation rather than the passage’s direct wording. The song also calls Jesus “Breath and living water”; while Jesus’ supreme name and divine revelation are affirmed, living water is identified with the Holy Spirit, making this direct identification imprecise.

  1. 1
    devotional responseSupported

    Revelation 5 directly presents the slain Lamb as worthy, receiving worship and a new song. Revelation 4 establishes God’s holiness and throne, while Revelation 7 depicts worship before the throne and the Lamb.

    Revelation 5:6–14WEB
    Direct quoteMatches in context

    Revelation 5 calls the slain Lamb worthy, records a new song, and places Him in heavenly throne worship.

    Passage · Revelation 5:4–14

    [Revelation 5:4] Then I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open the book or to look in it. [Revelation 5:5] One of the elders said to me, “Don’t weep. Behold, the Lion who is of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome: he who opens the book and its seven seals.” [Revelation 5:6] I saw in the middle of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the middle of the elders, a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth. [Revelation 5:7] Then he came, and he took it out of the right hand of him who sat on the throne. [Revelation 5:8] Now when he had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. [Revelation 5:9] They sang a new song, saying, “You are worthy to take the book and to open its seals, for you were killed, and bought us for God with your blood out of every tribe, language, people, and nation, [Revelation 5:10] and made us kings and priests to our God; and we will reign on the earth.” [Revelation 5:11] I looked, and I heard something like a voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders. The number of them was ten thousands of ten thousands, and thousands of thousands, [Revelation 5:12] saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who has been killed to receive the power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and blessing!” [Revelation 5:13] I heard every created thing which is in heaven, on the earth, under the earth, on the sea, and everything in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be the blessing, the honor, the glory, and the dominion, forever and ever! Amen!” [Revelation 5:14] The four living creatures said, “Amen!” Then the elders fell down and worshiped.

    Revelation 4:8–11WEB
    Related themePartly matches in context

    Revelation 4 establishes the holiness of the One seated on heaven’s throne.

    Passage · Revelation 4:6–11

    [Revelation 4:6] Before the throne was something like a sea of glass, similar to crystal. In the middle of the throne, and around the throne were four living creatures full of eyes before and behind. [Revelation 4:7] The first creature was like a lion, the second creature like a calf, the third creature had a face like a man, and the fourth was like a flying eagle. [Revelation 4:8] The four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within. They have no rest day and night, saying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come!” [Revelation 4:9] When the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to him who sits on the throne, to him who lives forever and ever, [Revelation 4:10] the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever, and throw their crowns before the throne, saying, [Revelation 4:11] “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, the Holy One, to receive the glory, the honor, and the power, for you created all things, and because of your desire they existed and were created!”

    Revelation 7:9–12WEB
    Related themeMatches in context

    Revelation 7 depicts multitudes worshiping God and the Lamb before the throne.

    Passage · Revelation 7:7–14

    [Revelation 7:7] of the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand, of the tribe of Levi twelve thousand, of the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand, [Revelation 7:8] of the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand, of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand, and of the tribe of Benjamin twelve thousand were sealed. [Revelation 7:9] After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no man could count, out of every nation and of all tribes, peoples, and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, dressed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands. [Revelation 7:10] They cried with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation be to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” [Revelation 7:11] All the angels were standing around the throne, the elders, and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before his throne, and worshiped God, [Revelation 7:12] saying, “Amen! Blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honor, power, and might, be to our God forever and ever! Amen.” [Revelation 7:13] One of the elders answered, saying to me, “These who are arrayed in the white robes, who are they, and where did they come from?” [Revelation 7:14] I told him, “My lord, you know.” He said to me, “These are those who came out of the great suffering. They washed their robes and made them white in the Lamb’s blood.

  2. 2
    devotional responseSupported

    Revelation 4 directly supplies the holiness, almightiness, eternality, and throne worship described. Revelation 5 portrays all creation praising God and the Lamb, while Isaiah 6 confirms the thrice-holy worship of God.

    Revelation 4:8–11WEB
    Direct quoteMatches in context

    Revelation 4 explicitly declares God holy, almighty, eternal, and worthy of worship as Creator.

    Passage · Revelation 4:6–11

    [Revelation 4:6] Before the throne was something like a sea of glass, similar to crystal. In the middle of the throne, and around the throne were four living creatures full of eyes before and behind. [Revelation 4:7] The first creature was like a lion, the second creature like a calf, the third creature had a face like a man, and the fourth was like a flying eagle. [Revelation 4:8] The four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within. They have no rest day and night, saying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come!” [Revelation 4:9] When the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to him who sits on the throne, to him who lives forever and ever, [Revelation 4:10] the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever, and throw their crowns before the throne, saying, [Revelation 4:11] “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, the Holy One, to receive the glory, the honor, and the power, for you created all things, and because of your desire they existed and were created!”

    Revelation 5:9–14WEB
    Close paraphraseMatches in context

    Revelation 5 presents every created thing praising God and the Lamb.

    Passage · Revelation 5:7–14

    [Revelation 5:7] Then he came, and he took it out of the right hand of him who sat on the throne. [Revelation 5:8] Now when he had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. [Revelation 5:9] They sang a new song, saying, “You are worthy to take the book and to open its seals, for you were killed, and bought us for God with your blood out of every tribe, language, people, and nation, [Revelation 5:10] and made us kings and priests to our God; and we will reign on the earth.” [Revelation 5:11] I looked, and I heard something like a voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders. The number of them was ten thousands of ten thousands, and thousands of thousands, [Revelation 5:12] saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who has been killed to receive the power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and blessing!” [Revelation 5:13] I heard every created thing which is in heaven, on the earth, under the earth, on the sea, and everything in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be the blessing, the honor, the glory, and the dominion, forever and ever! Amen!” [Revelation 5:14] The four living creatures said, “Amen!” Then the elders fell down and worshiped.

    Isaiah 6:1–4WEB
    Close paraphraseMatches in context

    Isaiah 6 records seraphim declaring the Lord’s thrice-holy glory.

    Passage · Isaiah 6:1–6

    [Isaiah 6:1] In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up; and his train filled the temple. [Isaiah 6:2] Above him stood the seraphim. Each one had six wings. With two he covered his face. With two he covered his feet. With two he flew. [Isaiah 6:3] One called to another, and said, “Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of Armies! The whole earth is full of his glory!” [Isaiah 6:4] The foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. [Isaiah 6:5] Then I said, “Woe is me! For I am undone, because I am a man of unclean lips and I live among a people of unclean lips, for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of Armies!” [Isaiah 6:6] Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar.

  3. 3
    poetic metaphorNeeds qualification

    Revelation 4 provides the rainbow, lightning, and thunder imagery. Its wording places the rainbow around the throne rather than clothing the King. Revelation 5 and 1 Timothy 1 establish the praise and God’s unique wisdom.

    Revelation 4:3–11WEB
    Close paraphrasePartly matches in context

    Revelation 4 describes a rainbow around the throne and lightning, sounds, and thunder proceeding from it.

    Passage · Revelation 4:1–11

    [Revelation 4:1] After these things I looked and saw a door opened in heaven; and the first voice that I heard, like a trumpet speaking with me, was one saying, “Come up here, and I will show you the things which must happen after this.” [Revelation 4:2] Immediately I was in the Spirit. Behold, there was a throne set in heaven, and one sitting on the throne [Revelation 4:3] that looked like a jasper stone and a sardius. There was a rainbow around the throne, like an emerald to look at. [Revelation 4:4] Around the throne were twenty-four thrones. On the thrones were twenty-four elders sitting, dressed in white garments, with crowns of gold on their heads. [Revelation 4:5] Out of the throne proceed lightnings, sounds, and thunders. There were seven lamps of fire burning before his throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. [Revelation 4:6] Before the throne was something like a sea of glass, similar to crystal. In the middle of the throne, and around the throne were four living creatures full of eyes before and behind. [Revelation 4:7] The first creature was like a lion, the second creature like a calf, the third creature had a face like a man, and the fourth was like a flying eagle. [Revelation 4:8] The four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within. They have no rest day and night, saying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come!” [Revelation 4:9] When the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to him who sits on the throne, to him who lives forever and ever, [Revelation 4:10] the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever, and throw their crowns before the throne, saying, [Revelation 4:11] “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, the Holy One, to receive the glory, the honor, and the power, for you created all things, and because of your desire they existed and were created!”

    Revelation 5:11–14WEB
    Close paraphraseMatches in context

    Revelation 5 assigns blessing, honor, strength, glory, and power to the Lamb and God.

    Passage · Revelation 5:9–14

    [Revelation 5:9] They sang a new song, saying, “You are worthy to take the book and to open its seals, for you were killed, and bought us for God with your blood out of every tribe, language, people, and nation, [Revelation 5:10] and made us kings and priests to our God; and we will reign on the earth.” [Revelation 5:11] I looked, and I heard something like a voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders. The number of them was ten thousands of ten thousands, and thousands of thousands, [Revelation 5:12] saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who has been killed to receive the power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and blessing!” [Revelation 5:13] I heard every created thing which is in heaven, on the earth, under the earth, on the sea, and everything in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be the blessing, the honor, the glory, and the dominion, forever and ever! Amen!” [Revelation 5:14] The four living creatures said, “Amen!” Then the elders fell down and worshiped.

    1 Timothy 1:15–17WEB
    Close paraphraseMatches in context

    1 Timothy 1 calls God the eternal King and the only wise God.

    Passage · 1 Timothy 1:13–19

    [1 Timothy 1:13] although I used to be a blasphemer, a persecutor, and insolent. However, I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. [1 Timothy 1:14] The grace of our Lord abounded exceedingly with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. [1 Timothy 1:15] The saying is faithful and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. [1 Timothy 1:16] However, for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first, Jesus Christ might display all his patience for an example of those who were going to believe in him for eternal life. [1 Timothy 1:17] Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. [1 Timothy 1:18] I commit this instruction to you, my child Timothy, according to the prophecies which were given to you before, that by them you may wage the good warfare, [1 Timothy 1:19] holding faith and a good conscience, which some having thrust away made a shipwreck concerning the faith,

  4. 4
    doctrinal assertionNeeds qualification

    Philippians 2 establishes Jesus’ supreme name and universal lordship, while 1 Timothy 3 identifies God revealed in the flesh. John 7 explains living water as the Holy Spirit, leaving the lyric’s direct identification of Jesus as “Breath” and living water imprecise.

    Philippians 2:9–11WEB
    Close paraphraseMatches in context

    Philippians 2 declares Jesus’ name above every name and universal acknowledgment of His lordship.

    Passage · Philippians 2:7–13

    [Philippians 2:7] but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men. [Philippians 2:8] And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, yes, the death of the cross. [Philippians 2:9] Therefore God also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name, [Philippians 2:10] that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth, [Philippians 2:11] and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. [Philippians 2:12] So then, my beloved, even as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. [Philippians 2:13] For it is God who works in you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

    John 7:37–39WEB
    Close paraphrasePartly matches in context

    John 7 presents living water through Jesus’ invitation and identifies it as the Holy Spirit.

    Passage · John 7:35–41

    [John 7:35] The Jews therefore said among themselves, “Where will this man go that we won’t find him? Will he go to the Dispersion among the Greeks and teach the Greeks? [John 7:36] What is this word that he said, ‘You will seek me, and won’t find me;’ and ‘Where I am, you can’t come’?” [John 7:37] Now on the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink! [John 7:38] He who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, from within him will flow rivers of living water.” [John 7:39] But he said this about the Spirit, which those believing in him were to receive. For the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus wasn’t yet glorified. [John 7:40] Many of the multitude therefore, when they heard these words, said, “This is truly the prophet.” [John 7:41] Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “What, does the Christ come out of Galilee?

    1 Timothy 3:14–16WEB
    Related themeMatches in context

    1 Timothy 3 calls Christ’s incarnation the great mystery of godliness.

    Passage · 1 Timothy 3:12–16

    [1 Timothy 3:12] Let servants be husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. [1 Timothy 3:13] For those who have served well gain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. [1 Timothy 3:14] These things I write to you, hoping to come to you shortly, [1 Timothy 3:15] but if I wait long, that you may know how men ought to behave themselves in God’s house, which is the assembly of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. [1 Timothy 3:16] Without controversy, the mystery of godliness is great: God was revealed in the flesh, justified in the spirit, seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, and received up in glory.

  5. 5
    devotional responseSupported

    The reviewed passages repeatedly portray God and the Lamb receiving worship, glory, honor, and thanksgiving. Adoration is therefore a fitting biblical response.

    Revelation 4:9–11WEB
    Related themeMatches in context

    Revelation 4 portrays heavenly beings worshiping the eternal Creator.

    Passage · Revelation 4:7–11

    [Revelation 4:7] The first creature was like a lion, the second creature like a calf, the third creature had a face like a man, and the fourth was like a flying eagle. [Revelation 4:8] The four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within. They have no rest day and night, saying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come!” [Revelation 4:9] When the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to him who sits on the throne, to him who lives forever and ever, [Revelation 4:10] the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever, and throw their crowns before the throne, saying, [Revelation 4:11] “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, the Holy One, to receive the glory, the honor, and the power, for you created all things, and because of your desire they existed and were created!”

    Psalms 95:6–7WEB
    Related themeMatches in context

    Psalm 95 calls God’s people to worship, bow, and kneel before their Maker.

    Passage · Psalms 95:4–9

    [Psalms 95:4] In his hand are the deep places of the earth. The heights of the mountains are also his. [Psalms 95:5] The sea is his, and he made it. His hands formed the dry land. [Psalms 95:6] Oh come, let’s worship and bow down. Let’s kneel before the LORD, our Maker, [Psalms 95:7] for he is our God. We are the people of his pasture, and the sheep in his care. Today, oh that you would hear his voice! [Psalms 95:8] Don’t harden your heart, as at Meribah, as in the day of Massah in the wilderness, [Psalms 95:9] when your fathers tempted me, tested me, and saw my work.

    Revelation 5:13–14WEB
    Related themeMatches in context

    Revelation 5 ends with the elders worshiping God and the Lamb.

    Passage · Revelation 5:11–14

    [Revelation 5:11] I looked, and I heard something like a voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders. The number of them was ten thousands of ten thousands, and thousands of thousands, [Revelation 5:12] saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who has been killed to receive the power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and blessing!” [Revelation 5:13] I heard every created thing which is in heaven, on the earth, under the earth, on the sea, and everything in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be the blessing, the honor, the glory, and the dominion, forever and ever! Amen!” [Revelation 5:14] The four living creatures said, “Amen!” Then the elders fell down and worshiped.

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