Arcana Coelestia # 8814
8814. 'And a heavy cloud on the mountain' means the Divine state in relation to those about to receive. This is clear from the meaning of 'a cloud' as truth adjusted for those about to receive, that is, the Word in the letter, dealt with in 8443, 8781, at this point God's truth adjusted for the people descended from Jacob. Because they were in great darkness so far as God's truths were concerned, 'a heavy cloud' is spoken of here, 'in the thickness of a cloud' above in verse 9, and the smoke of the fire 'like the smoke of a furnace' in verse 18 below. How much darkness they were in may be recognized from what has been mentioned above regarding that nation in 8788, and also from the consideration that things involving the internal man were not revealed to them, only those involving the external. For they did not apprehend or have any wish to apprehend internal things, because these were contrary to their kinds of love, which were that they should be highest of all in the world and also richest of all, and that all nations elsewhere should be as nothing in comparison with themselves. Where these kinds of love prevail heavenly kinds cannot be received, for the former snuff out and smother the latter. This is the reason why Jehovah, that is, the Lord, appeared to them in a dense and heavy cloud. A similar situation exists in the next life, where those steeped in falsities arising from evil are surrounded by a dense, black cloud, how dense and black being determined by the nature and amount of the falsities. This sight appears before the eyes of everyone there; even so, the sun there is shining constantly. Regarding these matters, see what has been stated already in 6832, 8137, 8138. Ordinarily the Divine appears in the next life to everyone according to the nature of their faith and love.
Psalms 77
1
My cry goes to God! Indeed, I cry to God for help, and for him to listen to me.
2
In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord. My hand was stretched out in the night, and didn't get tired. My soul refused to be comforted.
3
I remember God, and I groan. I complain, and my spirit is overwhelmed. Selah.
4
You hold my eyelids open. I am so troubled that I can't speak.
5
I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times.
6
I remember my song in the night. I consider in my own heart; my spirit diligently inquires:
7
"Will the Lord reject us forever? Will he be favorable no more?
8
Has his loving kindness vanished forever? Does his promise fail for generations?
9
Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he, in anger, withheld his compassion?" Selah.
10
Then I thought, "I will appeal to this: the years of the right hand of the Most High."
11
I will remember Yah's deeds; for I will remember your wonders of old.
12
I will also meditate on all your work, and consider your doings.
13
Your way, God, is in the sanctuary. What God is great like God?
14
You are the God who does wonders. You have made your strength known among the peoples.
15
You have redeemed your people with your arm, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah.
16
The waters saw you, God. The waters saw you, and they writhed. The depths also convulsed.
17
The clouds poured out water. The skies resounded with thunder. Your arrows also flashed around.
18
The voice of your thunder was in the whirlwind. The lightnings lit up the world. The earth trembled and shook.
19
Your way was through the sea; your paths through the great waters. Your footsteps were not known.
20
You led your people like a flock, by the hand of Moses and Aaron. A contemplation by Asaph.
