11 All the angels were standing around the throne, the elders, and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before his throne, and worshiped God,
*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.
And all the angels stood round about the throne - notes on Revelation 5:11.
And about the elders - notes on Revelation 4:4.
And the four beasts - notes on Revelation 4:6. The meaning is, that the angels stood in the outer circle, or outside of the elders and the four living creatures. The redeemed, it is manifest, occupied the inner circle, and were near the throne, though their precise location is not mentioned. The angels sympathize with the church redeemed and triumphant, as they did with the church in its conflicts and trials, and they now appropriately unite with that church in adoring and praising God. They see in that redemption new displays of the character of God, and they rejoice that that church is rescued from its troubles, and is now brought triumphant to heaven.
And fell before the throne on their faces - The usual position of profound adoration, Revelation 4:10; Revelation 5:8.
And worshipped God - notes on Revelation 5:11-12.
All the angels, etc. - As there is joy in the presence of God among these holy spirits when one sinner repents, no wonder that they take such an interest in the gathering together of such innumerable multitudes who are fully saved from their sins.
And all the angels stood round about the throne,.... The holy and elect angels, even all of them, the ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, the innumerable company of them, who are represented in the same position; See Gill on Revelation 5:11;
and about the elders, and the four beasts; the churches and ministers; yea, round about the great multitude before mentioned, the camp of the saints, and the beloved city; whose guardians they will be, and to whom they will always be ministering spirits.
And fell before the throne on their faces: in token of submission and reverence:
and worshipped God; by celebrating the perfections of his nature, and ascribing to him the glory of all his works.
The angels, as in Revelation 5:11, in their turn take up the anthem of praise. There it was "many angels," here it is "all the angels."
stood--"were standing" [ALFORD].
All the angels. In chapter 5 the elders, four living creatures, the angels about the throne, and every creature join in the praises. Here again all are named, and the angels worship and join in praising God for the blessed scene they have just beheld.
And all the angels stood - In waiting. Round about the throne, and the elders and the four living creatures - That is, the living creatures, next the throne; the elders, round these; and the angels, round them both. And they fell on their faces - So do the elders, once only, Revelation 11:16. The heavenly ceremonial has its fixed order and measure.
*More commentary available at chapter level.