beings from whose eyes God has wiped away all tears—who will hunger and thirst no more; our imagination invests these flow- ery meads with the peace and radiance of celestial precincts, while the streams of the fountain are converted into living waters, to which the Lamb Himself will lead His redeemed. Here, in short, where all is human and natural in form, the spiritual depths of our nature are stirred” (Mrs. Jameson, “History of Our Lord,” ii., 339).
2. And | heard the voice of harpers («ai dwvny ijxovca xSapwdav). The correct reading is, cai % pwv7 jy jKovea as ciSappdav and the voice which I heard (was) as (the voice) of harpers. KuSappSds is from xSdpa a harp (see on ch. v. 8) and @ods a singer. Properly, one who sings, accompanying himself on the harp.
3. Beasts (“éwv). Rev., living creatures. See on ch. iv. 6. Redeemed (ijyopacpévas). Rev., correctly, purchased.
4. Were not defiled (ovx éuorvv9ncav). The verb means properly to besmear or besmirch, and is never used in a good sense, as wuvatverw (John xviii. 28; Jude 8), which in classical Greek is sometimes applied to staining with color. See on 1 Pet. i. 4.
Virgins (wap9évor). Either celibate or living in chastity whether in married or single life. See 1 Cor. vii. 1-7, 29; 2 Cor. xi. 2.
First-fruits (dvrapy7). See on Jas. i. 18.
5. Guile (SdAos). Read weddos Lee.
Without fault (duopo). Rev., blemish. See on 1 Pet. i. 19.
Before the throne of God. Omit.
6. In the midst of heaven (év pecoupavnpate). Rev., in mid-heaven. See on ch. viii. 13.