4:9a
And whenever the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks: This clause refers to what the creatures were saying in 4:8. By saying these words of praise, they were giving glory, honor, and thanks to God.
give glory, honor, and thanks: This phrase indicates that the creatures acknowledge God’s glory, that they honor him and thank him. Other ways to translate this phrase are:
glorify and honor and thank
-or-
praising, honoring, and thanking (Contemporary English Version)
give glory: This phrase refers to agreeing that God has glory. The living creatures do that by praising God. They say that he is great, and that he has all power and majesty. Other ways to translate this phrase are:
acknowledge his majesty
-or-
praise him that he is awesome
give…honor: This phrase refers to showing respect and reverence to someone. Other ways to translate this phrase are:
revere
-or-
show respect
-or-
lift up the name
4:9b
to the One seated on the throne who lives forever and ever: The two phrases to the One seated on the throne and (him) who lives forever and ever both refer to God.
Other ways to translate this phrase are:
to him who sits on the throne, that is, the one who lives for ever and ever
-or-
the one who sits on the throne, who lives for ever and ever (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
to the forever existing one who sits on the throne
who lives forever and ever: The Greek words are literally “to the one living into the ages of the ages.” The word “age” refers to a very long time, so the phrase “the ages of the ages” refers to eternity. For example:
who lives for evermore
-or-
who lives for all ages to come
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