An Invitation to the New Church # 35
35. The keys of the kingdom of the heavens were given to Peter, because he represented the Lord as to Divine Truth; and this is what is meant by "rock," throughout the whole of the Sacred Scripture. On this account [it is said],
Upon this rock, that is, on this Divine Truth, "will I build My Church," namely, the truth that the Lord is "the Son of the living God. "
It shall be shown from the Word, that "rock" has this signification.
("Rock" in the Word: Exodus 17:6; 33:21-22; Numbers 20:8-11; Deuteronomy 8:15; 32:4-37; 1 Samuel 2:2; 2 Samuel 22:2-3, 32, 47; 23:3; Psalms 18:2, 31, 46; 28:1; 31:2-3; 40:2; 42:9; 62:2, 7; 78:16, 20, 35; 89:26; 92:15; 94:22; 95:1; 105:41; Isaiah 2:10; 22:16; 42:11; 1 Corinthians 10:4). ("Fissures of the rock" denote falsified truths, Revelation 6:15-16; Isaiah 2:19; Jeremiah 16:16; Song of Solomon 2:14; Isaiah 48:21; Jeremiah 23:29; 49:16; Obadiah 1:3; besides in the Gospels.)
In this wise also some of the Fathers explained it (see Formula Concordiae, p. 345).
Psalms 30
1
I will extol you, Yahweh, for you have raised me up, and have not made my foes to rejoice over me.
2
Yahweh my God, I cried to you, and you have healed me.
3
Yahweh, you have brought up my soul from Sheol. You have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.
4
Sing praise to Yahweh, you saints of his. Give thanks to his holy name.
5
For his anger is but for a moment. His favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may stay for the night, but joy comes in the morning.
6
As for me, I said in my prosperity, "I shall never be moved."
7
You, Yahweh, when you favored me, made my mountain stand strong; but when you hid your face, I was troubled.
8
I cried to you, Yahweh. To Yahweh I made supplication:
9
"What profit is there in my destruction, if I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise you? Shall it declare your truth?
10
Hear, Yahweh, and have mercy on me. Yahweh, be my helper."
11
You have turned my mourning into dancing for me. You have removed my sackcloth, and clothed me with gladness,
12
To the end that my heart may sing praise to you, and not be silent. Yahweh my God, I will give thanks to you forever! For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David.
