8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.



Ver. 8. Fell down before the Lamb] As they had done before the throne, Rev_4:10-11 cf. Joh_5:23. Divine adoration is an honour due to the manhood of Christ also, as it is taken into union with the Godhead.



Golden vials, &c.] Vessels narrow beneath and wide upwards: so is the heart of a believer, narrow below, almost sharpened to a point, that it might touch the earth no more than needs must; and wide above, to receive the influence of heaven. Gold is pure and precious; so are the prayers of a pure heart.



Full of odours] Therefore sweet to God, because Christ pours into them of his odours, Rev_8:3.



Which are the prayers of saints] That is, their own prayers and praises, recorded Rev_5:9. And this is added as an exposition to let us know what is meant by odours. See the like, Joh_2:21; Joh_7:39; Rev_1:20.