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Revelation 5:8
ESV And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
NIV And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.
NASB When He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
CSB When he took the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and golden bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
NLT And when he took the scroll, the four living beings and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they held gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.
KJV 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.
NKJV Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.

What does Revelation 5:8 mean?

John describes what happened after the Lamb had taken the scroll from the right hand of God (Revelation 5:6–7). The four living creatures and the elders prostrated themselves before the Lamb. Each elder held a harp and golden bowls full of incense.

Harps were played at feasts and celebrations in the ancient world, and their music delighted all who attended those events. Music will fill the courts of heaven, too, as attendees worship the Lamb. There is nothing drab about heaven!

The elders also held a golden bowl full of incense. John informs us that the bowls of incense are the prayers of God's people. In Old Testament times Israel's priests burned incense in the temple. The fragrance from the burning incense symbolized the prayers of God's people. In Psalm 141:2 David wrote: "Let my prayer be counted as incense before you." This request to God is always appropriate.
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