After this: many translators will wish to make clear what this refers to and say, for example, “After the mighty angel had finished speaking.”

What seemed to be the loud voice: the writer avoids saying explicitly that he heard the actual voice of a large crowd in heaven. Perhaps these are the angels mentioned in 5.11, in which case Good News Translation “of people” is not appropriate. Some commentators take the Greek adverb “like” or “as” (Revised Standard Version what seemed to be) to be a way of reminding the readers that a vision is being described, not an actual event. However, in many languages translators have to say what the huge crowd was composed of. If a translator feels it’s “people,” then Good News Bible‘s model may be followed. However, it is also possible to say “a great number of heavenly beings shouting.”

Crying: this is better translated “shouting” or even “singing.”

The praise that follows may be rendered in poetic form (see Section F of the introduction, “Translating the Revelation to John,” pages 6 and following).

Hallelujah: this represents the command in Hebrew “Praise Yah”; Yah is a shortened form of Yahweh. This expression, in its transliterated form, has entered several European languages. Where it is not known as an expression of praise or thanksgiving, the translation can be “Praise God,” “Praise the Lord” or “Let us praise God.” (See Rev. 19.5, below.)

Salvation and glory and power belong to our God: see similar language in 7.10; 12.10. For Salvation see 7.10; glory, 1.6; power, 3.8. A possible way of translating this is “God is our Savior! He is majestic (or, glorious) and powerful!”

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on The Revelation to John. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1993. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .