Arcana Coelestia # 9857
9857. And thou shalt make a breastplate of judgment. That this signifies that which has regard to Divine truth shining forth from Divine good, is evident from the signification of “the breastplate,” as being Divine truth shining forth from the Divine good of the Lord in ultimates (see n. 9823). It is called “a breastplate of judgment,” because it gave answers, and thereby revealed Divine truth. Moreover, by “judgment” in the Word is signified Divine truth, consequently doctrine and life according to doctrine. From this then it is that this breastplate is called “a breastplate of judgment,” and also “judgment,” in what follows in this chapter — “Aaron shall carry the judgment of the sons of Israel upon his heart before Jehovah continually” (verse 30). And when Joshua was chosen to be leader over the people, it is said, “he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall inquire for him by the judgment of Urim before Jehovah” (Numbers 27:21).
[2] That “judgment” denotes Divine truth and the intelligence thence derived, consequently that it denotes doctrine and life according to doctrine, is evident from many passages in the Word; as from the following, in Isaiah:
The vineyard of Jehovah Zebaoth is the house of Israel. He looked for judgment but behold an abscess; for righteousness, but behold a cry (Isaiah 5:7).
“To look for judgment” denotes intelligence from Divine truth, and a life according to the commandments. Again:
He sat upon a throne in truth, in the tabernacle of David, judging, and seeking judgment (Isaiah 16:5);
speaking of the coming of the Lord; “the throne upon which He was to sit” denotes the Divine truth proceeding from Him, and hence the spiritual kingdom (see n. 2129, 5313, 6397, 8625, 9039); “to judge judgment” denotes to teach Divine truth, and “to seek judgment” denotes its reception with man.
[3] Again:
In that day shall Jehovah be for a diadem of ornament to the remains of the people; and for a spirit of judgment to him that sitteth upon judgment (Isaiah 28:5-6)
“A diadem of ornament,” when said of Jehovah, that is, the Lord, denotes Divine intelligence (see above, n. 9828); and “the spirit of judgment” denotes wisdom from Divine truth (n. 9818); “he that sitteth upon judgment” denotes one who instructs about Divine truth, that is, teaches it. Again:
Jehovah hath filled Zion with judgment and righteousness (Isaiah 33:5);
“Zion” denotes the celestial church; “being filled with judgment” denotes intelligence from Divine truth, and “being filled with righteousness” denotes wisdom from Divine good.
[4] Again:
Who hath directed the Spirit of Jehovah? With whom took He counsel, that he might make Him intelligent, and instruct Him in the way of judgment, and teach Him knowledge, and show Him the way of intelligence? (Isaiah 40:13-14);
“the Spirit of Jehovah” denotes the Divine truth (n. 9818); that “instructing Him in the way of judgment” denotes to render Him knowing, intelligent, and wise, is plain.
In Jeremiah:
The stork in heaven knoweth her appointed times, but the people of Jehovah know not the judgment of Jehovah. How say ye, We are wise, and the law of Jehovah is with us? (Jeremiah 8:7-8).
Here “not to know the judgment of Jehovah” denotes not to know Divine truth, from which is wisdom; therefore it is said, “how say ye, We are wise?”
[5] Again:
Woe to him that buildeth his house without righteousness, and his chambers without judgment (Jeremiah 22:13);
“to build chambers without judgment” denotes to be imbued with things not true.
In Hosea:
I will betroth thee to Me forever in righteousness and in judgment, and I will betroth thee to Me in truth (Hosea 2:19-20).
“To betroth in judgment” denotes to conjoin by means of Divine truth, thus by means of faith and a life of faith.
In Amos:
Let judgment flow like water, and righteousness as a mighty torrent (Amos 5:24).
Ye turn judgment into gall, and the fruit of righteousness into wormwood (Amos 6:12); where also “judgment” denotes intelligence from Divine truth, and the consequent life.
[6] In Zephaniah:
In the morning will Jehovah give His judgment for light (Zephaniah 3:5);
“to give judgment for light” denotes to reveal Divine truth.
In Moses:
All the ways of Jehovah are judgment (Deuteronomy 32:4).
In David:
Thy truth, O Jehovah, reacheth unto the skies; Thy righteousness is like the mountains of God; Thy judgments are a great deep (Psalms 36:5-6).
Jehovah shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday (Psalms 37:6).
Hear my voice according to Thy mercy; O Jehovah, quicken me according to Thy judgments (Psalms 119:149).
In these passages “judgment,” and “judgments,” denote Divine truth.
[7] In Luke:
Woe unto you Pharisees, ye pass by judgment and the love of God; these ought ye to do (Luke 11:42).
“To pass by the judgment of God” denotes to pass by Divine truth; and “to pass by the love of God” denotes to pass by Divine good, and the life from both. As life also is meant, it is said “these things ought ye to do.”
In Isaiah:
Jehovah Zebaoth shall be exalted in judgment, and God shall be sanctified in righteousness (Isaiah 5:16).
Upon the throne of David, to establish the kingdom in judgment and in righteousness, from henceforth and even forever (Isaiah 9:7).
Bring forth counsel, do ye judgment; make thy shadow like the night in the midst of the noonday (Isaiah 16:3);
“to do judgment” denotes to act according to Divine truth.
[8] In Jeremiah:
I will raise unto David a righteous branch, and He shall do judgment and righteousness in the earth (Jeremiah 23:5; 33:15).
If a man be righteous, and do judgment and righteousness, and walk in My statutes, and keep My judgments, to do the truth; he is righteous, he shall surely live (Ezekiel 18:5, 9).
Seek ye Jehovah, all ye meek of the earth, who have done His judgment (Zephaniah 2:3).
“To do the judgment of God” denotes to do the Divine truth, that is, to do according to it.
In Isaiah:
I have put My Spirit upon Him, He shall bring forth judgment to the nations. He shall not extinguish, nor break, till He have set Judgment in the earth (Isaiah 42:1, 4);
speaking of the Lord; “to bring forth judgment to the nations,” and “to set judgment in the earth” denotes to teach Divine truth, and set it up in the church.
[9] Again:
A law shall go forth from Me, and I will raise up My judgment for a light of the peoples (Isaiah 51:4); where “judgment” denotes Divine truth, “for a light of the peoples” denotes for enlightenment.
In John:
For judgment I am come into this world, that those who see not may see; and that those who see may become blind (John 9:39).
“To come into the world for judgment” denotes to reveal Divine truth, which causes those to see who are wise from the Lord, and those to be blind who are wise from themselves, thus who pass for being learned.
[10] In Jeremiah:
Swear by the living Jehovah in truth, in judgment, and righteousness (Jeremiah 4:2).
There is none that judgeth judgment for health; thou hast no medicines for recovery (Jeremiah 30:13).
In David:
Righteousness and judgment are the support of Thy throne; mercy and truth are before Thy faces (Psalms 89:14); where “righteousness” denotes the good which is of mercy; and “judgment” the truth which is of faith; wherefore it is said, “mercy and truth.”
In Ezekiel:
Jerusalem hath changed My judgments into wickedness more than the nations, and My statutes more than the lands; therefore I will do judgments on thee in the eyes of the nations, and I will scatter all thy remains (Ezekiel 5:6-8, 10, 15).
“To change judgments” denotes the truths which are of the civil state (that these are signified by “judgments,” when “statutes” also are mentioned, see n. 8972); but “doing judgments” denotes to judge either to death, which is damnation; or to life, which is salvation. Salvation or damnation is also signified by “judgment,” where “the day of judgment,” or “hour of judgment,” is mentioned (Matthew 11:22, 2 11:24; 12:36, 41-42; Luke 10:14; 11:31-32; John 5:28-29; Revelation 14:7; 18:10); the same is also signified by “judgment,” where the office of a judge is treated of (Matthew 5:21-22; 7:1-2; 23:14, 33; John 5:24, 26-27; 7:24; 8:15-16; 12:31, 47-48; Luke 6:37; 12:13-14, 56-57; 19:21-22, 2 19:27; 20:47; 22:30; Mark 12:40; Isaiah 41:1; 3:14; Jeremiah 25:31; 48:21; Joel 3:12; Psalms 7:8-9; 9:4, 7-8; Leviticus 19:15; Deuteronomy 1:16-17; 25:1; Revelation 17:1 18:10; 20:12-13).
Psalms 35
1
Contend, Yahweh, with those who contend with me. Fight against those who fight against me.
2
Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for my help.
3
Brandish the spear and block those who pursue me. Tell my soul, "I am your salvation."
4
Let those who seek after my soul be disappointed and brought to dishonor. Let those who plot my ruin be turned back and confounded.
5
Let them be as chaff before the wind, Yahweh's angel driving them on.
6
Let their way be dark and slippery, Yahweh's angel pursuing them.
7
For without cause they have hidden their net in a pit for me. without cause they have dug a pit for my soul.
8
Let destruction come on him unawares. Let his net that he has hidden catch himself. Let him fall into that destruction.
9
My soul shall be joyful in Yahweh. It shall rejoice in his salvation.
10
All my bones shall say, "Yahweh, who is like you, who delivers the poor from him who is too strong for him; yes, the poor and the needy from him who robs him?"
11
Unrighteous witnesses rise up. They ask me about things that I don't know about.
12
They reward me evil for good, to the bereaving of my soul.
13
But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth. I afflicted my soul with fasting. My prayer returned into my own bosom.
14
I behaved myself as though it had been my friend or my brother. I bowed down mourning, as one who mourns his mother.
15
But in my adversity, they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together. The attackers gathered themselves together against me, and I didn't know it. They tore at me, and didn't cease.
16
Like the profane mockers in feasts, they gnashed their teeth at me.
17
Lord, how long will you look on? Rescue my soul from their destruction, my precious life from the lions.
18
I will give you thanks in the great assembly. I will praise you among many people.
19
Don't let those who are my enemies wrongfully rejoice over me; neither let those who hate me without a cause wink their eyes.
20
For they don't speak peace, but they devise deceitful words against those who are quiet in the land.
21
Yes, they opened their mouth wide against me. They said, "Aha! Aha! Our eye has seen it!"
22
You have seen it, Yahweh. Don't keep silent. Lord, don't be far from me.
23
Wake up! Rise up to defend me, my God! My Lord, contend for me!
24
Vindicate me, Yahweh my God, according to your righteousness. Don't let them gloat over me.
25
Don't let them say in their heart, "Aha! That's the way we want it!" Don't let them say, "We have swallowed him up!"
26
Let them be disappointed and confounded together who rejoice at my calamity. Let them be clothed with shame and dishonor who magnify themselves against me.
27
Let them shout for joy and be glad, who favor my righteous cause. Yes, let them say continually, "Yahweh be magnified, who has pleasure in the prosperity of his servant!"
28
My tongue shall talk about your righteousness and about your praise all day long. For the Chief Musician. By David, the servant of Yahweh.
