Singing with the Angels: a book review

Singing with the Angels by Robert E. Coleman (1998)

Rather than re-reading the Paradiso this Easter, as I so often do, I decided to re-read Robert E. Coleman’s Singing with the Angels. This wonderful little volume (of 159 pages) is a commentary on the 14 heavenly songs in the book of Revelation, and is well worth a read.

#3 – The New Song of Redemption (I have taken this illustration from the Bamberg Apocalypse)

“And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. 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. And they sang a new song, saying,

‘Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.’ ” (Revelation 5:6–10, ESV)

Each of the 14 Biblical passages has a reflection followed by an appropriate hymn – because these words are meant to be sung!

The complete list of 14 passages discussed in this excellent little book is:

1. The Anthem of the Triune God (4:8)
2. The Creation Hymn (4:11)
3. The New Song of Redemption (5:9–10)
4. The Angels’ Chorale (5:12)
5. The Crescendo of the Universe (5:13–14)
6. The Martyrs’ Canticle (6:10)
7. The Song of Salvation (7:10)
8. The Antiphonal Amen (7:12)
9. The Kingdom Carol (11:15)
10. The Psalm of Judgement (11:17–18)
11. The Shout of the Overcomers (12:10–12)
12. The Song of Moses and the Lamb (15:3–4)
13. The Hallelujah Chorus (19:1–4)
14. The Symphony of the Marriage Feast (19:6–7)

The main flaws in the book are a misunderstanding of the Greek aorist and some anecdotes of very dubious provenance, but it’s still a great book.

Singing with the Angels by Robert E. Coleman: 4 stars