Revelation 4:11
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
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The twenty-four elders sing this song as they fall before the throne and cast their crowns down, responding in worship to the Creator God revealed in John's vision.
What Does Revelation 4:11 Mean?
Revelation 4:11 is the worship cry of heaven declaring God worthy of all glory because He is the Creator of everything. The twenty-four elders fall before the throne and cast down their crowns, surrendering whatever honor they hold to the One who alone deserves it. Their song gives the reason for His worthiness: "thou hast created all things."
The verse roots all worship in the truth that God brought the heavens and the earth into being. Everything that exists owes its existence to Him, and so everything rightly returns glory, honor, and power to Him. The phrase "for thy pleasure they are and were created" reveals that creation is not an accident but the expression of God's own will and delight. The world exists because He desired it. This anchors the believer's sense of purpose: each person and all things have their origin in the will of a good Creator. After the throne room scene of unceasing holiness in the previous verses, this song explains why such worship is fitting. The One on the throne is the source of all that is, and creation responds by giving back to Him the honor He alone is worthy to receive.
In the Original Language
"Worthy" is "axios" (ἄξιος), deserving, fitting, of equal weight. "Created" is "ktizo" (κτίζω), to bring into being, to make or found.
Cross References
“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”
- Genesis 1:1
“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:”
- Colossians 1:16
“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.”
- Revelation 5:12
Application
This verse calls believers to worship God as the source of all things and to find their own purpose in being made by His will and for His delight.