Apocalypse Explained # 454
454. Out of every nation, and [of all] tribes.- That these words signify all those who are in the good of life according to the doctrinals of their religion, is evident from the signification of nation, as denoting those who are in good, concerning which see above (n. 175, 331); here, those who are in the good of life; and from the signification of tribes, as denoting the goods and truths of the church in their whole extent, concerning which see also above (n. 431). But because those who are in the good of life according to their religion, are here treated of, by tribes are signified the doctrinals of religion, which they believe to be truths and goods; for these also are meant by tribes, when such are treated of in the Word, whereas, the tribes of Israel, which we have spoken of above, mean all those who are in the genuine truths and goods of the church, and in the abstract those truths and goods. Out of every nation and [of all] tribes, here therefore signifies all those who are in good of life according to the doctrinals of their religion.
Psalms 74
1
God, why have you rejected us forever? why does your anger smolder against the sheep of your pasture?
2
Remember your congregation, which you purchased of old, which you have redeemed to be the tribe of your inheritance; Mount Zion, in which you have lived.
3
Lift up your feet to the perpetual ruins, all the evil that the enemy has done in the sanctuary.
4
Your adversaries have roared in the midst of your assembly. They have set up their standards as signs.
5
They behaved like men wielding axes, cutting through a thicket of trees.
6
Now they break all its carved work down with hatchet and hammers.
7
They have burned your sanctuary to the ground. They have profaned the dwelling place of your Name.
8
They said in their heart, "We will crush them completely." They have burned up all the places in the land where God was worshiped.
9
We see no miraculous signs. There is no longer any prophet, neither is there among us anyone who knows how long.
10
How long, God, shall the adversary reproach? Shall the enemy blaspheme your name forever?
11
Why do you draw back your hand, even your right hand? Take it out of your pocket and consume them!
12
Yet God is my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth.
13
You divided the sea by your strength. You broke the heads of the sea monsters in the waters.
14
You broke the heads of Leviathan in pieces. You gave him as food to people and desert creatures.
15
You opened up spring and stream. You dried up mighty rivers.
16
The day is yours, the night is also yours. You have prepared the light and the sun.
17
You have set all the boundaries of the earth. You have made summer and winter.
18
Remember this, that the enemy has mocked you, Yahweh. Foolish people have blasphemed your name.
19
Don't deliver the soul of your dove to wild beasts. Don't forget the life of your poor forever.
20
Honor your covenant, for haunts of violence fill the dark places of the earth.
21
Don't let the oppressed return ashamed. Let the poor and needy praise your name.
22
Arise, God! Plead your own cause. Remember how the foolish man mocks you all day.
23
Don't forget the voice of your adversaries. The tumult of those who rise up against you ascends continually. For the Chief Musician. To the tune of "Do Not Destroy." A Psalm by Asaph. A song.
