Revelation 19:5

What does Revelation 19:5 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 19:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 19:5 means

A commanding voice issues from the throne, summoning all God’s servants to praise Him. None are excluded: those who fear Him, small and great alike, are addressed. Praise is not reserved for a spiritual elite; it is the fitting response of every true worshiper. The voice’s source—proceeding from the throne—carries divine authority, ensuring that this call is as weighty as a decree. In the wake of judgment, praise unites the community of the faithful, reminding them that reverence is their shared identity. It is as though heaven becomes a great congregation, where fear of God levels all distinctions and lifts every voice to honor the One who reigns.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And a voice came forth from the throne, saying, Give praise to our God, all ye his servants, ye that fear him, the small and the great.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And a voice came forth from the throne, saying, Give praise to our God, all ye his servants, ye that fear him, the small and the great.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And a voice came from the high seat, saying, Give praise to our God, all you his servants, small and great, in whom is the fear of him.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And a voice out of the throne did come forth, saying, `Praise our God, all ye His servants, and those fearing Him, both the small and the great;'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And a voice came out from the throne, saying: Give praise to our God, all ye his servants: and you that fear him, little and great.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise ourGod, all ye his bondmen, [and] ye that fear him, small and great.

Context

This verse functions as a liturgical summons, following the assent of the elders and living creatures in verse 4. The call widens the circle again, preparing for the immense sound that follows in verse 6. It signals that what has happened to Babylon and what is about to be announced—the marriage of the Lamb—are reasons for universal worship among God’s people. The command anticipates participation: those who fear God will answer with the thunderous Hallelujah that proclaims His reign and leads directly into the marriage celebration (verses 6–9).

v.4And the four and twenty elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshipped God that sitteth on the throne, saying, Amen; Hallelujah.

v.5This passage

v.6And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunders, saying, Hallelujah: for the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigneth.

Cross references

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

  • Psalms 134:1

    Behold, bless ye Jehovah, all ye servants of Jehovah, That by night stand in the house of Jehovah.

  • Psalms 22:23

    Ye that fear Jehovah, praise him; All ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; And stand in awe of him, all ye the seed of Israel.

  • Revelation 7:15

    Therefore are they before the throne of God; and they serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall spread his tabernacle over them.

  • Revelation 16:17

    And the seventh poured out his bowl upon the air; and there came forth a great voice out of the temple, from the throne, saying, It is done:

  • Revelation 11:18

    And the nations were wroth, and thy wrath came, and the time of the dead to be judged, and the time to give their reward to thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and to them that fear thy name, the small and the great; and to destroy them that destroy the earth.

  • Psalms 148:11

    Kings of the earth and all peoples; Princes and all judges of the earth;

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