In a loud voice they sang: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to
receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and
glory and praise!” And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth
and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying,
“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”
And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down
and worshiped.
Holy is the Lamb who was slain
His love and justice met and our ransom paid
We sing “Holy is the Lamb!
The term “holy” when used of God gives us an image of one that is unique, set apart, unapproachable, filled with indescribable moral perfection. In contrast, a lamb is an animal that has little strength and no natural defenses.
So the phrase “Holy is the lamb who was slain” is such an incredible incongruity. Jesus is the One who is indescribable in moral perfection and at the same time the One who takes on weakness as the perfect lamb, the perfect sacrifice whose death covers sin.
Jesus was born in weakness, but He is the heir of all power. He became the poorest of the poor (2 Cor. 8:9), and yet He owns all the riches of heaven. Men mocked Him and spit on Him, calling Him a fool; yet He is the very wisdom of God (1 Cor. 1:24; Col. 2:3). They laughed at His kingship and put Him in a mock robe & crown. But now He reigns as King! He has received all honor and glory!
The humility of Jesus and the sufficiency of His grace lead us to bless him as the “Worthy Lamb.” At the same time, the weight of Jesus’ worth and the perfection of His holiness lead us to praise Him as King.
So our proper response is to sing in chorus with every creature in heaven and on earth.
“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth
and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”
“I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O
Most High.”
