12. _Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain._ See Notes on ver. 2, 9. The idea here is, that the fact that he was slain, or was made a sacrifice for sin, was the ground or reason for what is here ascribed to him. Comp. Notes on ver. 5. ¶ _To receive power._ Power or authority to rule over all things. Comp. Notes on Mat. xxviii. 18. The meaning here is, that he was worthy that these things should be ascribed to him, or to be addressed and acknowledged as possessing them. A part of these things were his in virtue of his very nature――as wisdom, glory, riches; a part were conferred on him as the result of his work――as the mediatorial dominion over the universe, the honour resulting from his work, &c. In view of all that he was, and of all that he has done, he is here spoken {130} of as “_worthy_” of all these things. ¶ _And riches._ Abundance. That is, he is worthy that whatever contributes to honour, and glory, and happiness, should be conferred on him _in abundance_. Himself the original proprietor of all things, it is fit that he should be recognized as such; and having performed the work which he has, it is proper that whatever may be made to contribute to his honour should be regarded as his. ¶ _And wisdom._ That he should be esteemed as eminently wise; that is, that as the result of the work which he has accomplished, he should be regarded as having ability to choose the best ends and the best means to accomplish them. The feeling here referred to is that which arises from the contemplation of the work of salvation by the Redeemer, as a work eminently characterized by _wisdom_――wisdom manifested in meeting the evils of the fall; in honouring the law; in showing that mercy is consistent with justice; and in adapting the whole plan to the character and wants of man. If wisdom was anywhere demanded, it was in reconciling a lost world to God; if it has been anywhere displayed, it has been in the arrangements for that work, and in its execution by the Redeemer. See Notes on 1 Co. i. 24; comp. Mat. xiii. 54; Lu. ii. 40, 52; 1 Co. i. 20, 21, 30; Ep. i. 8; iii. 10. ¶ _And strength._ Ability to accomplish his purposes. That is, it is meet that he should be regarded as having such ability. This _strength_ or _power_ was manifested in overcoming the great enemy of man; in his control of winds, and storms, and diseases, and devils; in triumphing over death; in saving his people. ¶ _And honour._ He should be esteemed and treated with honour for what he has done. ¶ _And glory. _ This word refers to a _higher_ ascription of praise than the word _honour_. Perhaps that might refer to the honour which we feel in our hearts; this to the expression of that by the language of praise. ¶ _And blessing._ Everything which would express the desire that he might be happy, honoured, and adored. To bless one is to desire that he may have happiness and prosperity; that he may be successful, respected, and honoured.