By referring to God not by his name (Revelation 4:8) but by his location, John prompts the reader to focus again on the throne as described in Revelation 4:5 (where mention was made of a continuous stream of lightning and rumblings and thunderclaps coming from the throne) as well as the company God keeps around his throne (Revelation 4:4, Revelation 4:6–7). The awesome details of that throne pointed up the worth of him who sat on it: glory and honour and thanks were his rightful due.
9 And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever,