Revelation 14:2

14:2-3 This great choir sang a . . . new song that only those who had been redeemed from the earth could learn. These people had died and were already with the Lord, which might explain why John did not include the content of their refrain for readers still in the battle of life (cp. 2 Cor 12:4).

Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Rev 14:2. Καὶ ἡ φωνὴ ἣν ἤκουσα ὡς[153]) Thus Comp. Copt. and almost all the copies. But the reading of Erasmus, καὶ φωνὴν ἤκουσα, without ὡς (which particle is however found even in And. 1), is scarcely supported by one or two ancient authorities. I wish the reader to observe my Edition, connected by Wolf more distinctly than by the printer with the Complutensian, and not with the Græco-Anglican. John by degrees more articulately describes the voice which he heard; and the article ἡ has the force of a relative, by which the meaning is conveyed, that the same voice was heard first as of many waters and of great thundering, and next as of harpers.[154]

[153] So ABCh Orig.; but Rec. Text, φωνὴν ἤκονσα. Vulg. “vocem quam audivi.”—E.

[154] 4. τῷ Θεῷ—τῷ ἀρνίῳ, to God—the Lamb) Hence they sing a hymn before the throne of the Former, and they think it an honour to afford themselves as followers of the Latter.—V. g.

Bengel's Gnomon of the New Testament — English translation (T&T Clark, Edinburgh, 1860) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Rev_14:2-3. ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ. Cf. Rev_10:4; Rev_10:8. Many of the expositors who have transferred Mount Zion, Rev_14:1, to heaven, have[3437] ascribed the voice from heaven to the one hundred and forty-four thousand themselves. Ew. ii., as in Rev_12:10 sqq., Rev_19:1 sqq., understands the voices as those of the martyrs, Rev_7:9 sqq.

ὡς φων. ὑδύτων πολλ. Cf. Rev_1:15.

ὡς φων. βροντῆς μεγ. Cf. Rev_6:1. The strength of the heavenly voice does not prevent its sounding at the same time charmingly, like the melody of players on the harp: ὡς κιθαρῳδῶν, κ.τ.λ.[3438] The ἐν, which designates the instrument, is here still easier than in Rev_6:8.

ᾠδὴν καινήν. Cf. Rev_5:9. The conception καινἡν has nothing to do with the ἀπαρχή,[3439] Rev_14:4; for the one hundred and forty-four thousand do not sing this song. In this passage, also, the relation of the καινήν, as to how this song is to be called because of its contents, is to be understood from the connection. The general reference to the work of redemption is not sufficient;[3440] but the subject has reference to that which is displayed to the gazing prophet, through the vision presented to him, and therefore to the faithfulness of God and the Lamb, whereby believers, upon the ground of the redemption accomplished by Christ, are preserved amid all the enticements or persecutions, on the part of the antichristian secular power, and brought to victory and eternal glory.[3441]

ἐνώπιον τοῦ θρόνου, κ.τ.λ. There the song, according to its most inner relation, belongs, because it describes the blessed goal of Gods ways, whose attainment was of itself pledged by the significant glory of the heavenly scene, ch. 4, upon which the entire arrangement of Gods ways rests.

καὶ οὐδεὶς ἐδύνατο μαθεῖν τ. ᾀδ., κ.τ.λ. The one hundred and forty-four thousand, however, could learn this new song, i.e., not merely understand,[3442] but also appropriate it so as to afterwards sing it,[3443] because they alone have the experience of that which is celebrated in the song.[3444]

οἱ ἠγορασμένοι ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς. On the thought, cf. 4, Rev_5:9. The construction of the masc., with αἱ χιλιάδες, is according to the sense, as Rev_5:13.

[3437] As C. a Lap., Vitr., Beng., Hengstenb.

[3438] Cf. Rev_5:8.

[3439] Against Beng.: A new song suits well these first fruits.

[3440] De Wette.

[3441] Cf. Hengstenb.

[3442] Grot., who besides evades: No one could understand the cause of such joy.

[3443] Ew., De Wette.

[3444] Cf. Rev_2:17, also Rev_19:12.

Meyer — Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament — English translation by Peter Christie, edited by Frederick Crombie (T&T Clark, 1880) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

from--Greek, "out of."

voice of many waters--as is the voice of Himself, such also is the voice of His people.

I heard the voice of harpers--A, B, C, and ORIGEN read, "the voice which I heard (was) as of harpers."

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Verse 2. The voice of many waters] That is, of multitudes of various nations.

The voice of harpers] Though the sounds were many and apparently confused, yet both harmony and melody were preserved.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

(2) And I heard a voice . . .—Translate, And I heard a voice out of the heaven. The saints stand with their Lord, the Lamb, on Mount Zion, and just as of old a voice came from heaven bearing witness to Christ, so round the abode of the saints heavenly voices are heard, full of majesty, terribleness, and sweetness, as though the sounds of sea and thunder blended with the music of heavenly harps. We call to mind the magnificent 29th Psalm; there the saints, secure in Zion, hear all around them the voice of God in the thunder and in the sea, while in His safe sanctuary the saints can sing of His honour.

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

2. as the voice … great thunder] It was as loud and as multitudinous as these, but was harmonious, and apparently articulate.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And I heard a voice from heaven,.... The same with the voices heard in heaven upon the sounding of the seventh trumpet, Rev 11:15;

as the voice of many waters; very loud, and uttered by a great multitude of people, signified by waters in this book, Rev 17:15; the same with those that praise the Lord for the destruction of antichrist, and for the marriage of the Lamb, Rev 19:1;

and as the voice of a great thunder; to which the Gospel may be compared for its open, loud publication, being heard far and near, as thunder is:

and I heard the voice of harpers, harping with their harps; that is, singing the praises of God, for the fall of Babylon, the happy state and condition of the church, and the blessings of grace; the harp being a musical instrument, used under the Old Testament in singing praise: Brightman thinks that these different sounds represent the course of Gospel doctrine, and the church's voice throughout the reign of antichrist; that when the church first went into the wilderness, her voice was like the murmuring of waters, confused and indistinct; when she began to revive under the Waldenses and Albigenses, Wickliff, Huss, &c. her voice was like thunder, loud and terrible; and at the Reformation, it was as the voice of harpers, when confessions of faith were published with sweet harmony and consent. Others have thought that the different properties and efficacy of the Gospel are designed; as its rapidity and irresistible force, by the many waters; its striking and shaking the consciences of men, by the thunder, Christ's ministers being sometimes "Boanergeses", sons of thunder; and its harmonious music, pleasant sound, peace, joy, and comfort it brings, by the voice of harpers. The Alexandrian copy, the Complutensian edition, the Vulgate Latin, and all the Oriental versions, read, "the voice which I heard was as harpers", &c.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

2 And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:

Ver. 2. As the voice of many waters] The word of God (called here a voice from heaven) hath, saith Mr Forbes, three degrees of operation in the hearts of men. 1. It works wondering (as the sound of many waters) and acknowledging of a strange force and more than human power, Mar 12:22; Luk 4:32; Joh 7:46; Joh 2:1-25. It works not only wonder but fear, as thunder doth; thus it wrought in Felix, and may do in any reprobate. 3. It works in the elect peace and joy; it makes music in the soul, far sweeter than that of harpers, 1Pe 1:8.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And I heard a voice from heaven - Showing that the scene is laid in heaven, but that John in the vision was on the earth.

As the voice of many waters - As the sound of the ocean, or of a mighty cataract. That is, it was so loud that it could be heard from heaven to earth. No comparison could express this more sublimely than to say that it was like the roar of the ocean.

As the voice of a great thunder - As the loud sound of thunder.

And I heard the voice of harpers - In heaven: the song of redemption accompanied with strains of sweet instrumental music. For a description of the harp, see the notes on Isa 5:12.

Harping with their harps - Playing on their harps. This image gives new beauty to the description. Though the sound was loud and swelling, so loud that it could be heard on the earth, yet it was not mere shouting, or merely a tumultuous cry. “It was like the sweetness of symphonious harps.” The music of heaven, though elevated and joyous, is sweet and harmonious; and perhaps one of the best representations of heaven on earth, is the effect produced on the soul by strains of sweet and solemn music.

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

As the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder; a loud voice, and terrible also to the followers of antichrist.

The voice of harpers harping with their harps; a musical, melodious voice, as of persons rejoicing. Mr. Mede rather thinks, that the voice as of many waters, signifies no more than a great multitudes, and indeed it is so expounded, Rev 19:6.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

2. Heard a voice from heaven—From the ethereal or firmamental heaven, over the company on the mount, there comes a choral voice. The blessed air is full of heavenly music. It is from a very full celestial choir, for their voice is as the voice of many waters, as… a great thunder.

And I heard—Better reading, And… the voice which I heard was as the voice of harpers, etc. There was but one aerial company, at first heard but not seen, whose voice was sweet as harp melody, yet full as the waters’ roar, and loud as a great thunder.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder. Evidently the song of the heavenly inhabitants, as described also in Rev_7:9-11, where we are told they "cried with a loud voice." The greatness of the voice is evidence of the vastness of the number. "Heaven," from which the sounds come, includes the "Mount Zion" of ver. 1, on which the Lamb and his followers stand. And I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps. The Revised Version is better, and the voice which I heard was as the voice of harpers harping with their harps. This reading is supported by a, A, B, C, and other good authorities. As the voice; that is, in regard to its pleasantness; reminding the hearer of the temple worship. (On the word "harp," see on Rev_5:8)

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And I heard a sound out of heaven - Sounding clearer and clearer: first, at a distance, as the sound of many waters or thunders; and afterwards, being nearer, it was as of harpers harping on their harps. It sounded vocally and instrumentally at once.

John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.

St. John here describes the true worshippers of Christ in the midst of antichristian idolatry; where we have,

1. The acceptable worship they perform, prayer and praise, an heavenly exercise, which, like thunder, and the voice of many waters, sounds loud in the ears of God, and is certainly heard by him, and is melodious like the harp, and therefore as acceptable to him as the sweetest music is to us.

2. The persons described who perform this acceptable worship, such as were redeemed from the earth; where the earth is put for earthly-minded men, the false church; the meaning is, that God has fetched this small number of true worshippers, the hundred forty-four thousand, from among the false worshippers and impure ones, he hath rescued them from the world of idolaters, and from the superstitious multitude.

3. The persons described before whom this worship is performed, Before the throne, and before the four beasts and elders,-- before the throne, to show the reverence and sincerity wherewith they performed the same, as in the sight of the great and glorious God, and before the beasts and elders, that is, the whole congregation of the saints, according to that of the Psalmist, Psa 89:7 God is greatly to be feared in the assemblies of his saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are round about him.

William Burkitt's Expository Notes on the New Testament (1700–1703) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

2. And I heard a voice from heaven. Whose voice is not stated, but it was a mighty voice, the voice of harpers harping with their harps. Always when great triumph are achieved or about to be achieved, heaven rings with the praises of singers. Compare 5:8, 9; 7:10–12; 11:17.

B. W. Johnson's The People's New Testament with Notes (1889–1891) — public domain. Electronic text from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) ThML edition.

2. ὡς φωνὴν ὑδάτων πολλῶν. This marks the volume of the sound.

βροντῆς μεγάλης. This marks its loudness.

ὡς κιθαρῳδῶν κιθαριζόντων. This marks that it was articulate and sweet: the harpers sing as they play.

Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges (Cambridge University Press, 1896; 21 vols, various authors incl. Carr, Maclear, Plummer, Farrar, Lumby, Moule, M. R. James, Simcox) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And I heard the voice of harpers [και φωνην ηκουσα κιθαρωδων] . The correct reading is, kai hJ fwnh hn hkousa wJv kiqarwdwn and the voice which I heard (was) as (the voice) of harpers. Kiqarwdov is from kiqara a harp (see on ch. Rev 5:8) and wjdov a singer. Properly, one who sings, accompanying himself on the harp.

Marvin R. Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament (1887–1900) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.