5:8 {9} And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four [and] twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them {10} harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the {a} prayers of saints.
(9) Now follows the end, the events of the revelation previously spoken of: that all the holy angels and men sang to him: both the chief Re 5:9,10 and common order of angels Re 5:11,12 and of all things created Re 5:13 the princes of both sorts agreeing to it, Re 5:14.
(10) The symbols or signs of praise, sweet in savour and acceptable to God;
(a) See Re 8:3.
5:8 When he had taken the book. The deliverance to him of the book was a signal for the four living creatures and the elders to fall before the Lamb, as they had fallen before the throne. They recognize in the fact that he has the book that all power in heaven and earth is given into his hands (see Mt 28:18 Joh 13:3). Hence, they offer him homage as Divine.
Having every one of them harps. For praise. The grammatical construction seems to include both living creatures and elders.
And golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. These symbolize the prayers of the saints. The imagery represents these heavenly assistants presenting these in heaven in behalf of the saints on earth. The comforting thought is that these prayers are not lost, but are presented at the throne of God and before the Lamb.
5:8 And when he took the book, the four living creatures fell down - Now is homage done to the Lamb by every creature. These, together with the elders, make the beginning; and afterward, Rev 5:14, the conclusion. They are together surrounded with a multitude of angels, Rev 5:11, and together sing the new song, as they had before praised God together, Rev 4:8, and c. Having every one - The elders, not the living creatures. An harp - Which was one of the chief instruments used for thanksgiving in the temple service: a fit emblem of the melody of their hearts. And golden phials - Cups or censers. Full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints - Not of the elders themselves, but of the other saints still upon earth, whose prayers were thus emblematically represented in heaven.
5:8-14 It is matter of joy to all the world, to see that God deals with men in grace and mercy through the Redeemer. He governs the world, not merely as a Creator, but as our Saviour. The harps were instruments of praise; the vials were full of odours, or incense, which signify the prayers of the saints: prayer and praise should always go together. Christ has redeemed his people from the bondage of sin, guilt, and Satan. He has not only purchased liberty for them, but the highest honour and preferment; he made them kings and priests; kings, to rule over their own spirits, and to overcome the world, and the evil one; and he makes them priests; giving them access to himself, and liberty to offer up spiritual sacrifices. What words can more fully declare that Christ is, and ought to be worshipped, equally with the Father, by all creatures, to all eternity! Happy those who shall adore and praise in heaven, and who shall for ever bless the Lamb, who delivered and set them apart for himself by his blood. How worthy art thou, O God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, of our highest praises! All creatures should proclaim thy greatness, and adore thy majesty.
