“And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying, ‘Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto him that sits upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.’” (Revelation 5:13)
The universal harmony of praise rising from every creature in all creation is a confession of the excellencies and perfections of God our Creator and Redeemer.
Psalm 33:4-5 gives a glimpse of these reasons: “For the word of the Lord is right; and all his works are done in truth. He loves righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.” Here are truths that move the heart to worship.
God is worthy of praise because His essence is holy and true. Everything He says and everything He does is perfectly right. He cannot sin, He cannot lie, and so His word is entirely trustworthy and every promise stands unshaken. Paul affirms, “if we believe not, yet he abides faithful: he cannot deny himself” (2 Tim. 2:13).
God’s righteousness also draws forth worship. He loves righteousness and judgment. He always does what is right (Gen. 18:25). As the all-wise judge, He governs the world in justice. When events appear wrong or beyond understanding, the assurance remains that “all things work together for good to them that love God” (Rom. 8:28). Wrongs will be set right in the end, for vengeance belongs to Him and He has promised to repay (Rom. 12:19).
The psalmist adds, “the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.” Every sunrise declares it. Every mercy received testifies to it. Every provision points to it. Lamentations 3:22 says His mercies are new every morning, and the cross of Christ proves it beyond all doubt. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).
All creation is caught up in this praise, declaring, “Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto him that sits upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.” Jonathan Edwards noted that “the glory of God appears as God’s chief end in the delight of the redeemed who most naturally express the direct tendency of the spirit of true goodness in praise and give praise in the virtuous and pious affections of their heart.”[1]
To join the song of creation is the believer’s privilege. “Give unto the Lord glory and strength. Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness” (1 Chron. 16:28-29).
Contemplations
- God’s glory in Christ’s ministry. Heavenly Father, through the whole course of Jesus’ earthly ministry He made it plain that Your glory was His highest and last end, just as it was Your chief end in creating the world. His miracles, teachings, and even His prayers pointed upward to You.
- The glory of redemption. I consider from Scripture that Your glory, Lord, is the outcome of providence and redemption by Jesus Christ. He declared in John 7:18 that He did not seek iH His own glory but Yours, both in gospel ministry and in the work of atonement. Every act of obedience He performed was aimed at magnifying Your name.
- The cross glorifies. In the matter of redemption, Christ said, “The hour is come, that the son of man should be glorified. Verily, verily I say unto You, except a corn of wheat fall into the ground, it abides alone; but if it die, it brings forth much fruit” (John 12:23-24). For this obedience to death, You exalted Him above every name (Phil. 2:8-11). Lord Jesus, I must praise You for this work, for Your glory and the Father’s glory are bound together in the cross.
- The occupation of heaven. What is the occupation of the redeemed in heaven but to praise You forever? Your blessedness draws rational creatures to partake of communion with You (1 John 1:3; 2 Cor. 13:14). You are with us, in us, and for us (Rom. 8:32). How could we not praise You for this? There is joy and fullness at Your right hand forever (Ps. 16:11; 1 Cor. 2:9; Ps. 84:11).
Prayer (adoration)
O Lord God Almighty, enthroned above all, I adore Your blessedness. You are the fountain of holiness, truth, and righteousness. All creation, from the highest angel to the smallest creature in the sea, owes You blessing, honor, glory, and power. And my soul joins their chorus even now.
I lift my heart in awe that Your word is right and Your works are done in truth. There is no falsehood in You, no shifting shadow. You are light, and in You is no darkness at all. I adore You for Your faithfulness, that even when man proves faithless, You remain faithful, for You cannot deny Yourself. This constancy is my refuge.
I praise You for Your righteousness. You love what is right. You judge with equity. You weigh all things in perfect wisdom. When the world appears to fall into disorder, Your rule remains unshaken. You promise to repay, to avenge, to set right what is wrong, and I bow before Your justice with reverence and confidence.
I exalt You for Your goodness that fills the earth. I see it in the rising of the sun, in the gift of breath, in the mercies that greet me each morning. I see it most clearly at Calvary, where the Lamb of God offered Himself to prove Your eternal love. There is no higher proof of goodness, no deeper expression of mercy, than the cross.
I worship You, Lord Jesus, who declared the hour of Your glory was the hour of Your death. You fell into the ground like wheat, and by dying You brought forth much fruit. You were obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. And for this, the Father exalted Your name above every name. I join the host of heaven in adoring You, the Lamb who was slain, yet who lives and reigns forever.
Blessed Spirit, I adore You also, for You draw me into communion with the Father and the Son. You open my eyes to see the glory of Christ, You stir my heart to sing His praise, You seal me for the day when I will join the redeemed in heaven’s unceasing worship.
Lord, Your blessedness is inexhaustible. To know You is joy, to worship You is life, to behold You is glory. Receive my praise, for it belongs to You alone.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Further Scripture References for Rev. 5:13:
Psa. 57:5, 72:18–19, 115:1, Eph. 3:21
[1] Jonathan Edwards, Ethical Writings, ed. Paul Ramsey and John E. Smith, vol. 8, The Works of Jonathan Edwards (New Haven; London: Yale University Press, 1989), 482.
