Revelation 19:1; The First Song

Revelation 19:1 (KJV)  And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God: 

The first song celebrates God’s judgment of the harlot – And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:

“After these things” often in this book indicates a change of subject, but in this instance it introduces the climax of chapter 18. This is the revelation to John that followed his vision of the harlot, her seductive wiles, and her judgment.

The prophet heard something like a loud voice of a great multitude. Though John did not hear a voice as such, what he heard resembled a loud voice. Since v5 will invite the redeemed to voice their hallelujah, this is probably the singing of the angelic host. Elsewhere in the book, wherever songs of thanks occur, angels are usually participants, so these are probably angels. The songs of Revelation 4:8, 11 and 5:12-14 are other examples of responsive singing involving angels.

Revelation 4:8 (KJV)  And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. 

Revelation 4:11 (KJV)  Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. 

Revelation 5:12-14 (KJV)  Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. 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, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever. 

The first of four New Testament occurrences of “Alleuia” (v3, 4, 6) begins with a song. It is a transliteration of the Hebrew expression found twenty-four times in the Psalms meaning “praise the Lord.” In the Hebrew text, it appears at the end of Psalm 104, 105, 115, 116, 117, at the beginning of the Psalms 111 and 112, and at the beginning and end of Psalms 106, 113, 135, 146.

[Robert L. Thomas, Revelation 8-22 – An Exegetical Commentary, Moody Press, 1995, 355-356]