Revelation 15:3

KJV

And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous [are] thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true [are] thy ways, thou King of saints.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} they sing {G103} the song {G5603} of Moses {G3475} the servant {G1401} of God {G2316}, and {G2532} the song {G5603} of the Lamb {G721}, saying {G3004}, Great {G3173} and {G2532} marvellous {G2298} are thy {G4675} works {G2041}, Lord {G2962} God {G2316} Almighty {G3841}; just {G1342} and {G2532} true {G228} are thy {G4675} ways {G3598}, thou King {G935} of saints {G40}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They were singing the song of Moshe, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb:

“Great and wonderful are the things you have done,
Adonai, God of heaven’s armies!
Just and true are your ways,
king of the nations!

Berean Standard Bible

and they sang the song of God’s servant Moses and of the Lamb: “Great and wonderful are Your works, O Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the nations!

American Standard Version

And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, O Lord God, the Almighty; righteous and true are thy ways, thou King of the ages.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Revelation 15:3 depicts a climactic scene of worship in the heavenly throne room, where victorious saints, having triumphed over the forces of the beast, stand upon a sea of glass and sing a profound hymn. This "song of Moses" and "song of the Lamb" extols the Lord God Almighty for His magnificent and awe-inspiring works, and praises Him as the King of saints whose ways are perfectly just and true, anticipating the final outpouring of divine judgment and the ultimate vindication of His righteous character.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at a pivotal moment in the book of Revelation, immediately preceding the pouring out of the seven bowls of God's wrath (Revelation 16). Chapter 15 serves as an interlude, setting the stage for these final judgments. Following the vision of the seven angels with the seven last plagues in [Revelation 15:1](/revelation/15-1 "Revelation 15:1 - The Seven Last Plagues"), the scene shifts to those who have "gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name" ([Revelation 15:2](/revelation/15-2 "Revelation 15:2 - The Victorious Saints on the Sea of Glass")). These triumphant saints stand on a "sea of glass mingled with fire," a symbolic representation of divine purity, judgment, and perhaps the trials they endured. Their song is a jubilant declaration of God's righteous character and His just judgments, serving as a theological affirmation before the full manifestation of His wrath.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery in Revelation draws heavily from Old Testament themes and Jewish apocalyptic literature, which would have been familiar to its original audience. The "song of Moses" immediately evokes the [Exodus narrative](/exodus/15 "Exodus 15 - The Song of Moses After the Red Sea"), particularly the Israelites' triumphant hymn after their miraculous deliverance from Egyptian bondage through the Red Sea. This historical event was foundational to Israel's identity as God's redeemed people. The "sea of glass" may allude to the bronze laver in the tabernacle ([Exodus 30:18](/exodus/30-18 "Exodus 30:18 - The Bronze Laver")) or the "crystal sea" before God's throne in [Ezekiel 1:22](/ezekiel/1-22 "Ezekiel 1:22 - The Firmament Above the Cherubim"), symbolizing purity and the divine presence. The concept of God as "Almighty" (Pantokrator) was a common designation in Jewish thought, emphasizing His absolute sovereignty and power over all creation and history, especially in the face of oppressive empires like Rome, which was the dominant power during the time of Revelation's writing.
* **Key Themes:** This verse encapsulates several profound themes central to Revelation and biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Sovereignty and Justice**, proclaiming God's absolute control over history and His unwavering righteousness in all His dealings, especially His judgments against evil. The declaration "Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways" echoes numerous Old Testament passages affirming God's unfailing character (e.g., [Deuteronomy 32:4](/deuteronomy/32-4 "Deuteronomy 32:4 - God's Perfect Works")). Secondly, it emphasizes **Deliverance and Victory**, celebrating God's redemption of His people from spiritual bondage and persecution, paralleling Israel's physical deliverance from Egypt. The combination of "the song of Moses" and "the song of the Lamb" powerfully underscores this dual aspect of salvation: the historical acts of God's power and the ultimate redemptive work accomplished through Christ. Finally, the verse speaks to **Worship and Adoration**, portraying the appropriate response of God's redeemed people in the face of His majesty and saving acts, offering Him unreserved praise and acknowledging His rightful rule as "King of saints."

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **servant (Greek, _doûlos'_):** From the verb meaning "to bind," this term refers to a slave or bond-servant. While often implying involuntary servitude, in a theological context, it frequently denotes a willing and devoted submission to a master. Here, "Moses the servant of God" emphasizes Moses's absolute loyalty and obedience to God's will, serving as a model for all who follow God, including the victorious saints singing this song. It highlights his unique role as God's chosen instrument for delivering Israel and mediating the Law.
* **Almighty (Greek, _pantokrátōr'_):** This powerful compound word combines "all" (pas) and "strength/might" (kratos), literally meaning "all-ruling" or "all-powerful." It is a title almost exclusively applied to God in the New Testament, particularly prominent in Revelation. It signifies God's absolute and universal sovereignty, His omnipotence, and His complete control over all creation and events. The saints' declaration "Lord God Almighty" affirms His unparalleled power to execute His purposes, including judgment and salvation.
* **just (Greek, _díkaios'_):** Derived from the word for "right" or "justice," this adjective describes someone or something as equitable, righteous, or innocent. When applied to God, it signifies His inherent moral perfection, His unwavering adherence to what is right, and His impartiality in judgment. The declaration "just and true are thy ways" asserts that all of God's actions, even those involving severe judgment, are perfectly aligned with His righteous character and moral standards.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb":** This opening phrase identifies the activity and the content of the worship. The "they" refers to the victorious saints mentioned in [Revelation 15:2](/revelation/15-2 "Revelation 15:2 - The Victorious Saints on the Sea of Glass"). The singing of two distinct yet complementary songs is highly symbolic. The "song of Moses" recalls the triumphant hymn sung by the Israelites after their miraculous deliverance from Pharaoh at the Red Sea ([Exodus 15:1-18](/exodus/15-1-18 "Exodus 15:1-18 - The Song of Moses")). It represents God's mighty acts of historical deliverance and His judgment against oppressors. The "song of the Lamb" signifies the new covenant salvation achieved through the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ ([Revelation 5:9-10](/revelation/5-9-10 "Revelation 5:9-10 - The New Song to the Lamb")). Together, these songs celebrate God's complete redemptive work, from the old covenant to the new, culminating in the ultimate victory over sin, death, and evil.
* **"saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty":** This clause introduces the content of their praise, directed to God Himself. The terms "Great" (Greek, _mégas'_) and "marvellous" (Greek, _thaumastós'_) convey a sense of immense scale, profound wonder, and awe-inspiring nature regarding God's actions throughout history. These "works" encompass creation, providence, and especially His mighty acts of salvation and judgment. Addressing Him as "Lord God Almighty" (Greek, _kýrios theós pantokrátōr'_) emphasizes His supreme authority, divine nature, and absolute power, reinforcing His capacity to accomplish such wondrous deeds.
* **"just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.":** This final clause further elaborates on God's character, focusing on His moral attributes. "Just" (Greek, _díkaios'_) affirms His perfect righteousness and fairness, while "true" (Greek, _alēthinós'_) emphasizes His faithfulness, reliability, and unwavering adherence to His promises and nature. "Thy ways" refers to His methods, judgments, and dealings with humanity. The title "thou King of saints" (some manuscripts read "King of the nations" or "King of the ages") highlights His rightful and sovereign rule specifically over His redeemed people, the "saints" (Greek, _hágios'_ - holy ones), who are the recipients of His just and true ways and the beneficiaries of His saving works.

#### Literary Devices
Revelation 15:3 is rich in **Symbolism**, particularly with the "song of Moses" and "song of the Lamb," which represent the continuity and culmination of God's redemptive plan from the Old Covenant to the New. The "sea of glass mingled with fire" is also highly symbolic, representing divine purity, judgment, and the trials through which the saints have passed. The verse employs **Parallelism** in its structure, balancing the "song of Moses" with the "song of the Lamb," and the attributes "Great and marvellous" with "just and true," creating a rhythmic and emphatic declaration of God's character. The direct address to God ("thy works, Lord God Almighty; thy ways, thou King of saints") is an example of **Apostrophe**, lending a personal and intimate tone to the corporate worship. The use of superlative adjectives like "Great" and "marvellous" also leans towards **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the incomparable nature of God's deeds and character.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This triumphant hymn in Revelation 15:3 serves as a profound theological statement, affirming God's unwavering justice, truth, and sovereignty in the face of cosmic conflict and impending judgment. It underscores that God's ultimate victory is not merely a display of raw power but a vindication of His righteous character. The fusion of the "song of Moses" and "the song of the Lamb" powerfully connects God's historical acts of deliverance (like the Exodus) with His ultimate redemptive work through Christ, demonstrating the unity of His plan across dispensations. This song is sung by those who have endured and overcome, signifying that true worship flows from a deep understanding of God's saving power and His perfect righteousness, even amidst suffering. It teaches us that God's "ways" are always just and true, providing a foundation of trust for believers navigating a world that often seems unjust.

* [Exodus 15:1-18](/exodus/15-1-18 "Exodus 15:1-18 - The Song of Moses")
* [Psalm 99:1-9](/psalms/99-1-9 "Psalm 99:1-9 - The Lord Reigns")
* [Revelation 5:9-10](/revelation/5-9-10 "Revelation 5:9-10 - The New Song to the Lamb")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Revelation 15:3 offers a powerful vision of worship that transcends time and circumstance, calling us to reflect on the unwavering character of God. In a world often marked by injustice, chaos, and suffering, this verse reminds us that our God is eternally "just and true" in all His ways. The "song of Moses" encourages us to remember God's past deliverances in our lives and in history, building our faith on His proven faithfulness. The "song of the Lamb" directs our gaze to the ultimate victory secured by Jesus Christ, reminding us that our salvation is complete and our future is secure in Him. This passage challenges us to cultivate a worship that is not superficial but deeply rooted in an awe-filled recognition of God's "great and marvellous works" and an unshakeable trust in His righteous character. Our worship should be a confident declaration of His sovereignty, even when circumstances seem dire, knowing that He is the "King of saints" who will ultimately set all things right.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God as "Lord God Almighty" and "King of saints" impact your trust in His sovereignty during difficult times?**
* **In what ways can you personally "sing the song of Moses" by remembering God's past deliverances in your life?**
* **How does "the song of the Lamb" shape your understanding of salvation and your hope for the future?**
* **What does it mean for God's "ways" to be "just and true," and how can this truth bring comfort or challenge to your life today?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the "song of Moses" and "the song of the Lamb" being sung together?**

Answer: The combination of these two songs is highly significant, representing the unity and culmination of God's redemptive plan throughout history. The "song of Moses" ([Exodus 15](/exodus/15 "Exodus 15 - The Song of Moses")) commemorates God's miraculous deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage through the Red Sea, symbolizing God's mighty acts of salvation and judgment in the Old Testament. It is a song of triumph over physical oppression. The "song of the Lamb" ([Revelation 5:9-10](/revelation/5-9-10 "Revelation 5:9-10 - The New Song to the Lamb")) represents the new covenant salvation achieved through the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is a song of victory over sin, death, and spiritual oppression. By singing them together, the saints acknowledge that God's work of salvation, initiated in the Exodus, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. It signifies the continuity of God's character and purposes across both covenants, celebrating His complete triumph over all forms of evil.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Revelation 15:3 powerfully points to Christ as the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan, embodying both the "song of Moses" and "the song of the Lamb." Jesus is the greater Moses, who leads His people not merely out of physical bondage but out of the slavery of sin and death ([Hebrews 3:1-6](/hebrews/3-1-6 "Hebrews 3:1-6 - Christ Greater Than Moses")). Just as Moses mediated the Old Covenant Law, Christ is the mediator of a superior New Covenant, established through His own blood ([Hebrews 8:6](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6 - Christ, Mediator of a Better Covenant")). Furthermore, Jesus is the Lamb of God, whose sacrificial death on the cross takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")) and secures victory over Satan, sin, and death ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")). The "great and marvellous works" of God find their supreme expression in the incarnation, crucifixion, and resurrection of Christ, which demonstrate God's perfect justice and truth in reconciling a sinful humanity to Himself ([Romans 3:25-26](/romans/3-25-26 "Romans 3:25-26 - God's Righteousness Through Faith")). Thus, the song of the victorious saints is ultimately a Christ-centered hymn, celebrating God's righteous and true ways as perfectly revealed and accomplished in His Son, the "King of saints" who reigns eternally over His redeemed people ([Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9-11 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Christ's Exaltation")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 111:2

The works of the LORD [are] great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.

Exodus 15:1

¶ Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.

Exodus 15:18

The LORD shall reign for ever and ever.

Psalms 139:14

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully [and] wonderfully made: marvellous [are] thy works; and [that] my soul knoweth right well.

Revelation 5:9

And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

Revelation 5:13

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.

Psalms 145:17

The LORD [is] righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.