|
<< PSALM IV. >>
For the Chief Musician; on stringed instruments. A Psalm of David.
1. Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness;
Thou hast set me at large when I was in distress:
Have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.
2. O ye sons of men, how long shall my glory be turned
into dishonor?
How long will ye love vanity, and seek after falsehood ?
[Selah
3. But know that Jehovah hath set apart for himself him
that is godly:
Jehovah will hear when I call unto him.
4. Stand in awe, and sin not:
Commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be
still. [Selah
5. Offer the sacrifices of righteousness,
And put your trust in Jehovah.
6. Many there are that say, Who will show us any good ?
Jehovah, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon
us.
7. Thou hast put gladness in my heart,
More than they have when their grain and their new
wine are increased.
In peace will I both lay me down and sleep;
For thou, Jehovah, alone makest me dwell in safety.
1. Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness;
Thou hast set me at large when I was in distress:
Have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.
1-3. Respecting the Lord, when in great temptations. P. P.
2. O ye sons of men, how long shall my glory be turned
into dishonor?
How long will ye love vanity, and seek after falsehood ?
[Selah]
3. But know that Jehovah hath set apart for himself him
that is godly:
Jehovah will hear when I call unto him.
2. We may often read in the Word that the Lord answers those who call and cry. R. 376.
That truth is signified by breadth may be evident by these passages Psalm xxxi. 8; cxviii. 5; xviii. 19: Hosea iv. 16, etc. R. 861.
The expression "to answer" frequently occurs in the Word and when predicated of the Lord signifies influx, inspiration, perception and information, likewise mercy and aid. See Isaiah xlix. 8. E. 471.
4. That a bed signifies doctrine is from correspondence, for as the body reclines in its bed, so does the mind in its doctrine. But by a bed is signified the doctrine which any one procures to himself either from the Word or from
his own intelligence, for in it his mind rests, and as if it were sleeps. R. 137.
They should fear Him, for He has protection from the Father. P. P.
5-9. Exhortation to repent. P. P.
6. Many there are that say, Who will show us any good ?
Jehovah, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon
us.
7. Thou hast put gladness in my heart,
More than they have when their grain and their new
wine are increased.
7. Among the ancients the face signified the internals, for the reason that internals shine forth through the face. When charity shone from the face the countenance was said to be lifted up, and when the opposite the countenance was said to fall. Therefore it is predicated of the Lord that He lifts up His countenance upon man — as in the Blessing — Numbers vi. 26 and Psalm iv, 6, 7 — by which is signified that the Lord gives man charity. A. 358-
By the faces of Jehovah is meant the Divine, and whatsoever is of the Divine, thus mercy, peace, and all good, but in the universal sense the Divine truth, since in the Divine truth is all good. A. 10579.
By seeing the face of the Lord is not meant to see His face, but to know and acknowledge Him as He is with regard to His Divine attributes, which are many. They who are conjoined with Him by love know Him and thus see His face. R. 939.
By the light of the countenance of Jehovah is understood the Divine truth from the Divine love, thence also the expression implies intelligence and wisdom, for from the Divine truth, or the Divine light in the heavens are derived all the wisdom and intelligence, both of angels and men. E. 412.
7, 8. The face of Jehovah or of the Lord is mercy, peace and every good, as is clearly evident from the blessing, also in Numbers vi. 25, 26. A. 222.
Lifting up the light of the countenance means to give good from mercy. A. 5585.
7-9. By peace are signified all the things in the complex which are from the Lord, and thence all the things of heaven and the church, and the blessedness of life in them. These are of peace in the highest or inmost sense. It follows from this that charity, spiritual security and internal rest are peace. R. 306.
In these words is described the peace which they possess who are in conjunction with the Lord, by the reception of Divine good and Divine truth from Him. It is peace in which heavenly joy is contained and from which it is derived. E. 365.
9. Making to dwell in safety signifies a state of peace. A. 3384.
See Psalm lii. 6, 7. A. 3696.
Author: EMANUEL SWEDENBORG (1688-1772)
|
|
