Saying with a loud voice: the song they sing in praise of the Lamb is like the song to God in 4.11. The rest of the verse should appear as poetry, as well as the song in the next verse (see Section F of the introduction, “Translating the Revelation to John,” pages 6 and following).

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive: it should be noticed that Revised Standard Version places a comma after slain in an attempt to prevent the reader from reading “who was slain to receive power.” For Worthy see 5.2; for to receive see 4.11. As there, the meaning is “The Lamb is worthy to be praised for his power…” or “It is right that we praise the Lamb’s power….”

The seven nouns that follow the verb are all qualities or attributes of Christ, and these qualities are praised, with the exception of the last one (Revised Standard Version blessing), which is itself praise or thanksgiving that is offered to him.

For power see 3.8. Wealth appears also in 18.17. Wisdom appears also in 7.12; 13.18; 17.9; it is variously rendered in some languages as “great understanding (or, knowledge),” “great insight,” or even idiomatically, for example, “bright spirit (innermost)” (Palauan). Might (or “power”) is used also in 7.12. For honor see 4.9. For glory see 1.6. And blessing (also in 5.13; 7.12) means “thanksgiving” or “praise” (Good News Translation, Bible en français courant, Nova Tradução na Linguagem de Hoje, Biblia Dios Habla Hoy, Translator’s New Testament, Revised English Bible).

An alternative translation model for this verse is:

• and the multitude in heaven sang in a loud voice: “Worthy is the Lamb who was killed. We should praise him because of his great power, wealth, wisdom, and strength. He should receive great honor.”

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 .