Devine Scripture

Revelation 15:3

What does Revelation 15:3 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 15:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 15:3 means

The conquerors sing a united anthem: the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb. The two are not competitors but harmonies—the first celebrating deliverance from bondage, the second proclaiming the final redemption brought by Jesus, the Lamb. Their lyrics magnify God’s deeds, emphasize the rightness and reliability of His ways, and acknowledge His kingship over all ages. Worship here interprets events: what God does is great and what God decides is true. The reference to the Lamb centers this praise in Christ, through whom the decisive victory over evil has come and by whom the faithful have overcome.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, O Lord God, the Almighty; righteous and true are thy ways, thou King of the ages.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, O Lord God, the Almighty; righteous and true are thy ways, thou King of the ages.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And they give the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and full of wonder are your works, O Lord God, Ruler of all; true and full of righteousness are your ways, eternal King.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and they sing the song of Moses, servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, `Great and wonderful <FI>are<Fi> Thy works, O Lord God, the Almighty, righteous and true <FI>are<Fi> Thy ways, O King of saints,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And singing the canticle of Moses, the servant of God, and the canticle of the Lamb, saying: Great and wonderful are thy works, O Lord God Almighty. Just and true are thy ways, O King of ages.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And they sing the song of Moses bondman ofGod, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and wonderful [are] thy works, LordGod Almighty; righteous and true [are] thy ways, O King of nations.

Context

Verse 3 supplies the heart of the worship begun in verse 2. By pairing Moses with the Lamb, John ties the ancient salvation of Israel to the ultimate salvation secured in Christ, showing one coherent story of redemption. The song proclaims God’s character and reign as the key to reading the coming judgments. Verse 4 will extend the scope outward, envisioning the nations responding to this revelation. After the worship reaches that universal horizon, the vision pivots back to the temple and the angels in verse 5.

v.2And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire; and them that come off victorious from the beast, and from his image, and from the number of his name, standing by the sea of glass, having harps of God.

v.3This passage

v.4Who shall not fear, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy; for all the nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy righteous acts have been made manifest.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Isaiah 33:22

    For Jehovah is our judge, Jehovah is our lawgiver, Jehovah is our king; he will save us.

  • Psalms 139:14

    I will give thanks unto thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: Wonderful are thy works; And that my soul knoweth right well.

  • Micah 7:20

    Thou wilt perform the truth to Jacob, and the lovingkindness to Abraham, which thou hast sworn unto our fathers from the days of old.

  • Hosea 14:9

    Who is wise, that he may understand these things? prudent, that he may know them? for the ways of Jehovah are right, and the just shall walk in them; but transgressors shall fall therein.

  • Revelation 14:3

    and they sing as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four living creatures and the elders: and no man could learn the song save the hundred and forty and four thousand, even they that had been purchased out of the earth.

  • Psalms 78:12

    Marvellous things did he in the sight of their fathers, In the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan.

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