Paragraph 19:4–5

19:4a

elders: Here the word elders refers to those who have authority. For example:

leaders (God’s Word)

These are the same elders as in 4:4. See how you translated this word there.

four living creatures: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as living creatures is literally “living (ones).” The word refers to heavenly beings that John described in 4:7–8. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

four living beings (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
four living things/ones

See how you translated this phrase in 4:6 or 14:3.

fell down: Here the phrase fell down refers to kneeling and putting the face to the ground with arms outstretched toward someone. This position showed complete humility before that person and honored him. The word fell implies a quick and complete action. It does not refer to accidentally falling. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

prostrated themselves
-or-
threw themselves to the ground (NET Bible)

Many languages have a different action that shows humility and honors someone. If that is true in your language, you may want to use that action. See how you translated this phrase in 3:9 or 11:16.

19:4b

worshiped: This word refers to honoring someone or something as sacred/divine. Other ways to translate this word are:

venerated
-or-
revered

See how you translated this word in 13:4 or 15:4.

God who sits on the throne: This clause tells the reader more about God. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate that there are other gods and only this one sits on the throne. If that is true in your language, translate this clause so that it tells more about God. One way to do that is to start a new sentence here. For example:

God sits on the throne.

throne: This word refers to the official chair of a king. It is a symbol of his power to rule. Here the word throne refers to the place from where God rules. See how you translated this word in 1:4.

19:4c

saying: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible literally translates as saying indicates that what they said was a part of their worship. The people spoke fervently, so some English versions use the word “cried.” That word does not refer to weeping or wailing.

Amen: The word Amen is a Hebrew word that means “even so” or “it is true.” It is used to agree with what was said. The Greek borrowed the Hebrew word. English borrowed this word as well. See how you translated this word in 1:6 or 7:12.

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