Revelation 5:9
What does Revelation 5:9 mean?
A plain-English look at Revelation 5:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Revelation 5:9 means
The heavenly council sings a new song, celebrating the Lamb’s unique worthiness to take and open the scroll. The reason given is His sacrificial death: by His blood He purchased for God a people from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation. Redemption is not limited by ethnicity or language; it is as wide as the world, yet deeply personal—He ransomed people. The cross is the ground of His authority to execute God’s plan. This new song fits a new covenant reality: the crucified and risen Lamb inaugurates God’s final work by gathering a redeemed, global people who belong to God.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And they sing a new song, saying, Worthy art thou to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and didst purchase unto God with thy blood men of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation,
KJV
King James Version · 1611And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And they sing a new song, saying, Worthy art thou to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and didst purchase unto God with thy blood men of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation,
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And their voices are sounding in a new song, saying, It is right for you to take the book and to make it open: for you were put to death and have made an offering to God of your blood for men of every tribe, and language, and people, and nation,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and they sing a new song, saying, `Worthy art thou to take the scroll, and to open the seals of it, because thou wast slain, and didst redeem us to God in thy blood, out of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And they sung a new canticle, saying: Thou art worthy, O Lord, to take the book and to open the seals thereof: because thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God, in thy blood, out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And they sing a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open its seals; because thou hast been slain, and hast redeemed toGod, by thy blood, out of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation,
Context
Following the prostration and presentation of harps and incense, the elders articulate the theological basis for the Lamb’s worthiness. Their song explains the connection between His death and His right to open the scroll. The next verse will state the purpose of this redemption—making the redeemed a kingdom and priests who reign. After this, the circle of worshipers will expand dramatically to include countless angels, amplifying the Lamb’s praise beyond the council to the heavenly host.
v.8And when he had taken the book, the four living creatures and the four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having each one a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
v.9This passage
v.10and madest them to be unto our God a kingdom and priests; and they reign upon the earth.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 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.
- Romans 3:24
being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
- Colossians 1:14
in whom we have our redemption, the forgiveness of our sins:
- 1 Corinthians 7:23
Ye were bought with a price; become not bondservants of men.
- 1 John 2:2
and he is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the whole world.
- Psalms 40:3
And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: Many shall see it, and fear, And shall trust in Jehovah.
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