Like a number of other East Asian languages, Japanese uses a complex system of honorifics, i.e. a system where a number of different levels of politeness are expressed in language via words, word forms or grammatical constructs. These can range from addressing someone or referring to someone with contempt (very informal) to expressing the highest level of reference (as used in addressing or referring to God) or any number of levels in-between.

One way Japanese shows different degree of politeness is through the choice of a benefactive construction as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. Here, akashi o shite (証しをして) or “testify” is used in combination with kudasaru (くださる), a respectful form of the benefactive kureru (くれる). A benefactive reflects the good will of the giver or the gratitude of a recipient of the favor. To convey this connotation, English translation needs to employ a phrase such as “for me (my sake)” or “for you (your sake).”

Other uses of honorifics in this verse include:

• The “divine” honorific prefix mi- (御 or み), as here in mi-sugata (御姿) or “form (of God)” and mi-koe (御声) or “voice (of God).” This is used specifically to refer to the “voice” of God. Similarly, the honorific prefix go- (御 or ご) is used, as in go-jishin (ご自身) here, a combination of “onseself” (jishin) and the honorific prefix go-.
• An honorific construction where the morphemes rare (られ) or are (され) are affixed on the verb. This is particularly done with verbs that have God as the agent to show a deep sense of reverence. Here, tsukawas-are-ru (遣わされる) or “send” is used.

(Source: S. E. Doi, see also S. E. Doi in Journal of Translation, 18/2022, p. 37ff. )