Apocalypse Explained # 392
392. The souls of those slain because of the Word of God, and because of the testimony that they held, signifies those who were rejected and concealed because of Divine truth and because of their confession of the Lord. This is evident from the signification of "those slain," as being those who were rejected by the evil and concealed by the Lord (of whom presently); also from the signification of "the Word of God," as being Divine truth. What the Lord speaks is called the Word of God, and that is Divine truth. The Word or the Sacred Scripture is nothing else; for in it all Divine truth is contained, but it is only before the angels that the truth itself in its glory is manifest in it, because to them the interior things of the Word, which are spiritual and celestial, become manifest and also constitute their wisdom. "The Word of God," therefore, signifies in the genuine sense Divine truth, and in the highest sense the Lord Himself who spoke it, for He spoke from Himself, or from His Divine, and what proceeds from Him that also is Himself.
[2] That the Divine proceeding is the Lord may be illustrated by this: About every angel there is a sphere that is called the sphere of his life; this spreads abroad to a great distance from him. This sphere flows out or proceeds from the life of his affection or love; it is therefore an extension outside of him of such life as is in him. This extension is effected by means of the spiritual atmosphere or aura, which is the aura of heaven. By means of that sphere the quality of an angel in respect to affection is perceived at a distance by others; this has been granted me sometimes to perceive. But about the Lord there is a Divine sphere, which near Him appears as a sun, which is His Divine love, and from this that sphere proceeds into the whole heaven and fills it and constitutes the light that is there; this sphere is the Divine proceeding from the Lord, which in its essence is Divine truth. This comparison with angels is made as an illustration, to show that the Divine proceeding from the Lord is the Lord Himself, because it is a proceeding of His love, and the proceeding is Himself outside of Himself. The above is further evident from the signification of "testimony," as being the confession of the Lord, and the Lord Himself (of which presently).
[3] That "those slain" here mean those who were rejected by evil spirits and concealed by the Lord, or removed from the eyes of others and preserved to the day of the Last Judgment, can be seen from what was said in the article above, also from what follows in the two verses in which they alone are described. In the article above it was said that "the former heaven" that passed away consisted of those who in externals lived a moral life, and yet were merely natural and not spiritual, or who lived a sort of spiritual life merely from the affection or love of fame, honor, glory, and gain, thus for the sake of appearance. Although these were inwardly evil, they, nevertheless, were tolerated, and constituted societies in the higher places in the spiritual world. These societies, taken together, were called a heaven, but "the former heaven" that afterwards passed away. From this it came to pass that all those who were spiritual, that is, who were inwardly as well as outwardly good, not being able to be with these, withdrew from them, either voluntarily or being driven away, and wherever found they were persecuted; on this account they were concealed by the Lord and preserved in their places until the day of judgment, that they might constitute "the new heaven." These therefore are those that are meant by "the souls of those slain seen under the altar." This makes clear that "those slain" signify those who were rejected and concealed, for they were hated by the others, because of Divine truth and because of their confession of the Lord; and those who are hated are called "those slain," because to hate is spiritually to slay. That such are meant by "the souls of those slain," can be seen further from what follows in the two verses where it is said of them, "And they cried out with a great voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on those that dwell on the earth? And there were given to every one of them white robes; and it was said unto them that they should rest yet a little time, until their fellow-servants, as well as their brethren, who were to be killed, as they also were, should be fulfilled." That those above described are meant by "those slain," no one can know but those to whom it has been revealed; for who can know, except by revelation, of whom "the former heaven" (Revelation 21:1) consisted, and of whom "the new heaven" was formed; and that those of whom the new heaven was to be formed, were in the meantime concealed and preserved by the Lord? And unless these things had been revealed to someone, all things contained in Revelation in its internal sense must have remained hidden; for in it such things as were to take place in the spiritual world before the Last Judgment, and while it was going on, and after it are chiefly treated of.
[4] That "testimony" signifies the confession of the Lord, and the Lord Himself, can be seen from the passages in the Word that follow. This signification has its origin from this, that the Word in each and every particular testifies respecting the Lord; for in its inmost sense it treats of the Lord alone, and in its internal sense of the celestial and spiritual things that proceed from the Lord, and in particular the Lord testifies respecting Himself in everyone who is in the life of love and charity; for the Lord flows into their heart and life and teaches them, especially respecting His Divine Human; for He grants to those who are in a life of love to think of God under the human form, and God under the human form is the Lord.
The simple in the Christian world so think, as also the heathen who live in charity according to their religious principle. Both these are astonished when they hear the learned speak of God as not to be perceived in any human form, for they know that thinking thus they could not see any God in thought, and therefore could have little belief in the existence of a God, since the faith which is the faith of charity wishes to comprehend in some way what is believed; for faith is of thought, and to think what is incomprehensible is not to think, but only to have knowledge and to speak from that without any idea. Angels, even the wisest, do not think of God otherwise than as in the human form; it is impossible for them to think otherwise, for the reason that their perceptions flow according to the form of heaven, which is the human form from the Lord's Divine Human (on which see Heaven and Hell 59-86); and for the reason that the affections from which are their thoughts, are from influx, and influx is from the Lord.
This has been said that it may be known why "testimony" signifies the Lord, namely, because the Lord testifies respecting Himself with all who accept His testimony, and these are such as live a life of love to the Lord, and a life of charity towards the neighbor. These receive His testimony and confess Him, because a life of love and charity opens the interior mind by the influx of light from heaven, for a life of love and charity is the Divine life itself; for the Lord loves everyone, and does good to everyone from love; consequently where that life is received the Lord is present and is conjoined to the man, and thus flows into his higher mind which is called the spiritual mind, and by light from himself opens it.
[5] That "testimony" signifies the Lord, and with man the confession of the Lord from the heart, and in particular, the acknowledgment of the Lord's Divine in His Human, can be seen from this, that the law which was given on Mount Sinai and written upon two tables, and afterwards placed in the ark, is called the "Testimony;" whence also the ark was called "the ark of the Testimony," and the tables also were called "the tables of Testimony;" and because this was most holy, the mercy-seat was placed upon the ark, and over the mercy-seat were sculptured two cherubim, between which Jehovah, that is, the Lord, spoke with Moses and Aaron. This makes clear that "the Testimony" signifies the Lord Himself; otherwise the mercy-seat would not have been placed upon the ark, nor would the Lord have spoken with Moses and Aaron between the cherubim which were upon the mercy-seat. Moreover, when Aaron entered within the veil, which he did once every year, he was first sanctified, and afterwards he burnt incense till the smoke of the incense covered the mercy seat; it is said that unless he did this he would have died. From this it is clearly evident that the Testimony that was in the ark, and that was the law given on Mount Sinai and inscribed on two tables of stone, signified the Lord Himself.
[6] That the law is called "the Testimony" is evident in Moses:
Thou shalt put into the ark the Testimony which I shall give thee (Exodus 25:16).
He put the Testimony into the ark (Exodus 40:20).
The mercy-seat that is upon the Testimony (Leviticus 16:13).
Lay up the rods of the tribes before the Testimony (Numbers 17:4).
That the tables and the ark were therefore called the tables and the ark of the Testimony (Exodus 25:22; 31:7, 18; 32:15).
That the mercy-seat was placed upon it, and over the mercy-seat two sculptured cherubim (Exodus 25:17-22; 26:34).
That the Lord spoke with Moses and with Aaron between the two cherubim (Exodus 25:16, 21-22; Numbers 17:4 and elsewhere).
That they sanctified themselves before they entered thither, and that the smoke of the incense covered the mercy-seat lest they should die (Leviticus 16:1-34).
[7] That "the testimony" signifies the Lord is evident also from this, that what was upon the ark was called the mercy seat [propitiatorium], and the Lord is the propitiator; the ark also, from the testimony in it, was the holy of holies, both in the tabernacle and in the temple, and from this the tabernacle was holy, and also the temple. The tabernacle represented heaven, and also the temple, and heaven is heaven from the Lord's Divine Human; from this it follows that "testimony" signifies the Lord in respect to His Divine Human. (That "the tent of meeting" represented heaven, see Arcana Coelestia 9457, 9481, 9485, 10545; likewise the temple, see above, n. 220; and that heaven is heaven from the Lord's Divine Human, see Heaven and Hell, n. 59-86.) The law proclaimed from Mount Sinai is called "the Testimony" because that law, in a broad sense, signifies the whole Word, both historical and prophetical, and the Word is the Lord, according to these words in John:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and God was the Word; and the Word was made flesh, (John 1:1) John 1:14).
The Word is the Lord because the Word signifies Divine truth, and all Divine truth proceeds from the Lord, for it is the light in heaven, that enlightens the minds of the angels and also the minds of men, and gives them wisdom; this light in its essence is Divine truth proceeding from the Lord as a sun (of which light, see Heaven and Hell 126-140); therefore it is afterwards said, "the Word was with God, and God was the Word." It is also said in John:
In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man coming into the world (John 1:4, 1:9).
[8] This makes clear that the Lord is meant by "the Testimony;" for the law written on the two tables, which was called the "Testimony," signifies the Word in the whole complex, and the Lord is the Word. (That "the law" in a broad sense signifies the Word in the whole complex, in a sense less broad the historical Word, and in a strict sense the ten commandments of the Decalogue, see Arcana Coelestia 6752.) This law was also called "a Covenant," and so the tables on which it was inscribed were called "the tables of the Covenant," and the ark was called "the ark of the Covenant" (See Exodus 34:28; Numbers 14:44; Deuteronomy 9:9, 15; Revelation 11:19; and elsewhere); and this because "Covenant" signifies conjunction, and the Word or Divine truth is what conjoins man with the Lord; from no other source is there any conjunction. (That "Covenant" signifies conjunction, see Arcana Coelestia 665, 666, 1023, 1038, 1864, 1996, 2003, 2021, 6804, 8767, 8778, 9396, 10632.)
This law is called both "a Covenant" and "a Testimony," because when called "a Covenant" it means the Word by which there is conjunction; and when called "a Testimony" it means the Lord Himself who conjoins; and on man's part, the confession of the Lord and the acknowledgment of His Divine in His Human, which conjoin. From this it can be seen why the Word is called in the church "a Covenant," the Word before the Lord's coming "the Old Covenant," and that after His coming "the New Covenant;" it is called also "the Old and the New Testament," but it is to be called "the Testimony."
[9] That "Testimony" signifies the Lord, and on man's part the confession of the Lord and the acknowledgment of His Divine in His Human, is evident also from these passages in the Word. In Revelation:
They overcame the dragon by the blood of the Lamb, and by the Word of the testimony. And the dragon was angry, and went away to make war with the remnant of her seed, that keep the commandment of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ (Revelation 12:11 17).
I am thy fellow-servant, and of thy brethren that hold the testimony of Jesus. The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy (Revelation 19:10).
"The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy" signifies that the confession of the Lord and the acknowledgment of His Divine in His Human is the life of all truth, both in the Word and in doctrine from the Word.
[10] And elsewhere:
The souls of those slain with the axe for the testimony of Jesus, and for the Word of God, received not the mark upon their forehead and upon their hand (Revelation 20:4).
These passages will be explained in what follows. In David:
Jerusalem is builded as a city that is conjoined together; and thither the tribes go up, the tribes of Jah, a testimony to Israel, to confess to the name of Jehovah. For there are set thrones for judgment (Psalms 122:3-5).
"Jerusalem" signifies the church in relation to doctrine, which is said to be "builded" when it is established by the Lord; "as a city that is conjoined together" signifies doctrine in which all things are in order, "city" meaning doctrine; "thither the tribes go up, the tribes of Jah," signifies that in it are all truths and goods in the complex; "a testimony to Israel, to confess to the name of Jehovah," signifies the confession and acknowledgment of the Lord there; "for there are set thrones for judgment" signifies that Divine truth is there according to which judgment is executed. That this is what "thrones" signify, see above n. 253.
[11] In the same:
Jehovah hath set up a testimony in Jacob, and a law in Israel (Psalms 78:5).
"Jacob" and "Israel" signify the church, "Jacob" the external church, and "Israel" the internal church; and "testimony" and "law" signify the Word, "testimony" that in the Word which teaches the goods of life, and "the law" that in it which teaches the truths of doctrine. Because those who are in the external church are in the good of life according to the truths of doctrine, and those who are in the internal church are in the truths of doctrine according to which is the life, so "testimony" is predicated of Jacob, and "the law" of Israel.
[12] In the same:
If thy sons shall keep My covenant, and the testimony that I shall teach them, their 1 sons shall sit upon the throne for thee forevermore (Psalms 132:12).
This is said of David, but David here means the Lord; "his sons" mean those who do the Lord's commandments; of these it is said, "if thy sons shall have kept My covenant and My testimony," "covenant" meaning the like as "law" above, namely, the truth of doctrine, and "testimony" the like as "testimony" above, namely, the good of life according to the truths of doctrine. Like things are signified by "covenant" and "testimonies" in David (Psalms 25:10).
[13] "Testimonies" are mentioned in many passages in the Word, together with "law," "precepts," "commandments," "statutes," and "judgments;" and "testimonies and commandments" there signify such things as teach life, "law and precepts" such as teach doctrine, "statutes and judgments" such as teach rituals, as in the following passages in David:
The law of Jehovah is perfect, restoring the soul; the testimony of Jehovah is sure, making wise the simple. The commandments of Jehovah are right, making glad the heart; the precept of Jehovah is pure, enlightening the eyes; the judgments of Jehovah are truth, they are righteous altogether (Psalms 19:7-9).
In the same:
Blessed are the perfect in the way, who walk in the law of Jehovah. Blessed are they that observe His testimonies, that seek after Him with the whole heart. Thou hast enjoined Thy commandments to be strictly kept. O that my ways may be directed to keep Thy statutes! Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all Thy precepts. I will confess to thee in uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned the judgments of Thy righteousness (Psalms 119:1-7 manner in verses 12-15, 88-89, 151-156, etc.).
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Psalms 119
1
Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to Yahweh's law.
2
Blessed are those who keep his statutes, who seek him with their whole heart.
3
Yes, they do nothing wrong. They walk in his ways.
4
You have commanded your precepts, that we should fully obey them.
5
Oh that my ways were steadfast to obey your statutes!
6
Then I wouldn't be disappointed, when I consider all of your commandments.
7
I will give thanks to you with uprightness of heart, when I learn your righteous judgments.
8
I will observe your statutes. Don't utterly forsake me. BET
9
How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.
10
With my whole heart, I have sought you. Don't let me wander from your commandments.
11
I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
12
Blessed are you, Yahweh. Teach me your statutes.
13
With my lips, I have declared all the ordinances of your mouth.
14
I have rejoiced in the way of your testimonies, as much as in all riches.
15
I will meditate on your precepts, and consider your ways.
16
I will delight myself in your statutes. I will not forget your word. GIMEL
17
Do good to your servant. I will live and I will obey your word.
18
Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things out of your law.
19
I am a stranger on the earth. Don't hide your commandments from me.
20
My soul is consumed with longing for your ordinances at all times.
21
You have rebuked the proud who are cursed, who wander from your commandments.
22
Take reproach and contempt away from me, for I have kept your statutes.
23
Though princes sit and slander me, your servant will meditate on your statutes.
24
Indeed your statutes are my delight, and my counselors. DALED
25
My soul is laid low in the dust. Revive me according to your word!
26
I declared my ways, and you answered me. Teach me your statutes.
27
Let me understand the teaching of your precepts! Then I will meditate on your wondrous works.
28
My soul is weary with sorrow: strengthen me according to your word.
29
Keep me from the way of deceit. Grant me your law graciously!
30
I have chosen the way of truth. I have set your ordinances before me.
31
I cling to your statutes, Yahweh. Don't let me be disappointed.
32
I run in the path of your commandments, for you have set my heart free. HEY
33
Teach me, Yahweh, the way of your statutes. I will keep them to the end.
34
Give me understanding, and I will keep your law. Yes, I will obey it with my whole heart.
35
Direct me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in them.
36
Turn my heart toward your statutes, not toward selfish gain.
37
Turn my eyes away from looking at worthless things. Revive me in your ways.
38
Fulfill your promise to your servant, that you may be feared.
39
Take away my disgrace that I dread, for your ordinances are good.
40
Behold, I long for your precepts! Revive me in your righteousness. WAW
41
Let your loving kindness also come to me, Yahweh, your salvation, according to your word.
42
So I will have an answer for him who reproaches me, for I trust in your word.
43
Don't snatch the word of truth out of my mouth, for I put my hope in your ordinances.
44
So I will obey your law continually, forever and ever.
45
I will walk in liberty, for I have sought your precepts.
46
I will also speak of your statutes before kings, and will not be disappointed.
47
I will delight myself in your commandments, because I love them.
48
I reach out my hands for your commandments, which I love. I will meditate on your statutes. ZAYIN
49
Remember your word to your servant, because you gave me hope.
50
This is my comfort in my affliction, for your word has revived me.
51
The arrogant mock me excessively, but I don't swerve from your law.
52
I remember your ordinances of old, Yahweh, and have comforted myself.
53
Indignation has taken hold on me, because of the wicked who forsake your law.
54
Your statutes have been my songs, in the house where I live.
55
I have remembered your name, Yahweh, in the night, and I obey your law.
56
This is my way, that I keep your precepts. CHET
57
Yahweh is my portion. I promised to obey your words.
58
I sought your favor with my whole heart. Be merciful to me according to your word.
59
I considered my ways, and turned my steps to your statutes.
60
I will hurry, and not delay, to obey your commandments.
61
The ropes of the wicked bind me, but I won't forget your law.
62
At midnight I will rise to give thanks to you, because of your righteous ordinances.
63
I am a friend of all those who fear you, of those who observe your precepts.
64
The earth is full of your loving kindness, Yahweh. Teach me your statutes. TET
65
Do good to your servant, according to your word, Yahweh.
66
Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments.
67
Before I was afflicted, I went astray; but now I observe your word.
68
You are good, and do good. Teach me your statutes.
69
The proud have smeared a lie upon me. With my whole heart, I will keep your precepts.
70
Their heart is as callous as the fat, but I delight in your law.
71
It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn your statutes.
72
The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of pieces of gold and silver. YUD
73
Your hands have made me and formed me. Give me understanding, that I may learn your commandments.
74
Those who fear you will see me and be glad, because I have put my hope in your word.
75
Yahweh, I know that your judgments are righteous, that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
76
Please let your loving kindness be for my comfort, according to your word to your servant.
77
Let your tender mercies come to me, that I may live; for your law is my delight.
78
Let the proud be disappointed, for they have overthrown me wrongfully. I will meditate on your precepts.
79
Let those who fear you turn to me. They will know your statutes.
80
Let my heart be blameless toward your decrees, that I may not be disappointed. KAF
81
My soul faints for your salvation. I hope in your word.
82
My eyes fail for your word. I say, "When will you comfort me?"
83
For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke. I don't forget your statutes.
84
How many are the days of your servant? When will you execute judgment on those who persecute me?
85
The proud have dug pits for me, contrary to your law.
86
All of your commandments are faithful. They persecute me wrongfully. Help me!
87
They had almost wiped me from the earth, but I didn't forsake your precepts.
88
Preserve my life according to your loving kindness, so I will obey the statutes of your mouth. LAMED
89
Yahweh, your word is settled in heaven forever.
90
Your faithfulness is to all generations. You have established the earth, and it remains.
91
Your laws remain to this day, for all things serve you.
92
Unless your law had been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.
93
I will never forget your precepts, for with them, you have revived me.
94
I am yours. Save me, for I have sought your precepts.
95
The wicked have waited for me, to destroy me. I will consider your statutes.
96
I have seen a limit to all perfection, but your commands are boundless. MEM
97
How I love your law! It is my meditation all day.
98
Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for your commandments are always with me.
99
I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation.
100
I understand more than the aged, because I have kept your precepts.
101
I have kept my feet from every evil way, that I might observe your word.
102
I have not turned aside from your ordinances, for you have taught me.
103
How sweet are your promises to my taste, more than honey to my mouth!
104
Through your precepts, I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. NUN
105
Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path.
106
I have sworn, and have confirmed it, that I will obey your righteous ordinances.
107
I am afflicted very much. Revive me, Yahweh, according to your word.
108
Accept, I beg you, the willing offerings of my mouth. Yahweh, teach me your ordinances.
109
My soul is continually in my hand, yet I won't forget your law.
110
The wicked have laid a snare for me, yet I haven't gone astray from your precepts.
111
I have taken your testimonies as a heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart.
112
I have set my heart to perform your statutes forever, even to the end. SAMEKH
113
I hate double-minded men, but I love your law.
114
You are my hiding place and my shield. I hope in your word.
115
Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of my God.
116
Uphold me according to your word, that I may live. Let me not be ashamed of my hope.
117
Hold me up, and I will be safe, and will have respect for your statutes continually.
118
You reject all those who stray from your statutes, for their deceit is in vain.
119
You put away all the wicked of the earth like dross. Therefore I love your testimonies.
120
My flesh trembles for fear of you. I am afraid of your judgments. AYIN
121
I have done what is just and righteous. Don't leave me to my oppressors.
122
Ensure your servant's well-being. Don't let the proud oppress me.
123
My eyes fail looking for your salvation, for your righteous word.
124
Deal with your servant according to your loving kindness. Teach me your statutes.
125
I am your servant. Give me understanding, that I may know your testimonies.
126
It is time to act, Yahweh, for they break your law.
127
Therefore I love your commandments more than gold, yes, more than pure gold.
128
Therefore I consider all of your precepts to be right. I hate every false way. PEY
129
Your testimonies are wonderful, therefore my soul keeps them.
130
The entrance of your words gives light. It gives understanding to the simple.
131
I opened my mouth wide and panted, for I longed for your commandments.
132
Turn to me, and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name.
133
Establish my footsteps in your word. Don't let any iniquity have dominion over me.
134
Redeem me from the oppression of man, so I will observe your precepts.
135
Make your face shine on your servant. Teach me your statutes.
136
Streams of tears run down my eyes, because they don't observe your law. TZADI
137
You are righteous, Yahweh. Your judgments are upright.
138
You have commanded your statutes in righteousness. They are fully trustworthy.
139
My zeal wears me out, because my enemies ignore your words.
140
Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them.
141
I am small and despised. I don't forget your precepts.
142
Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness. Your law is truth.
143
Trouble and anguish have taken hold of me. Your commandments are my delight.
144
Your testimonies are righteous forever. Give me understanding, that I may live. KUF
145
I have called with my whole heart. Answer me, Yahweh! I will keep your statutes.
146
I have called to you. Save me! I will obey your statutes.
147
I rise before dawn and cry for help. I put my hope in your words.
148
My eyes stay open through the night watches, that I might meditate on your word.
149
Hear my voice according to your loving kindness. Revive me, Yahweh, according to your ordinances.
150
They draw near who follow after wickedness. They are far from your law.
151
You are near, Yahweh. All your commandments are truth.
152
Of old I have known from your testimonies, that you have founded them forever. RESH
153
Consider my affliction, and deliver me, for I don't forget your law.
154
Plead my cause, and redeem me! Revive me according to your promise.
155
Salvation is far from the wicked, for they don't seek your statutes.
156
Great are your tender mercies, Yahweh. Revive me according to your ordinances.
157
Many are my persecutors and my adversaries. I haven't swerved from your testimonies.
158
I look at the faithless with loathing, because they don't observe your word.
159
Consider how I love your precepts. Revive me, Yahweh, according to your loving kindness.
160
All of your words are truth. Every one of your righteous ordinances endures forever. SIN AND SHIN
161
Princes have persecuted me without a cause, but my heart stands in awe of your words.
162
I rejoice at your word, as one who finds great spoil.
163
I hate and abhor falsehood. I love your law.
164
Seven times a day, I praise you, because of your righteous ordinances.
165
Those who love your law have great peace. Nothing causes them to stumble.
166
I have hoped for your salvation, Yahweh. I have done your commandments.
167
My soul has observed your testimonies. I love them exceedingly.
168
I have obeyed your precepts and your testimonies, for all my ways are before you. TAV
169
Let my cry come before you, Yahweh. Give me understanding according to your word.
170
Let my supplication come before you. Deliver me according to your word.
171
Let my lips utter praise, for you teach me your statutes.
172
Let my tongue sing of your word, for all your commandments are righteousness.
173
Let your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts.
174
I have longed for your salvation, Yahweh. Your law is my delight.
175
Let my soul live, that I may praise you. Let your ordinances help me.
176
I have gone astray like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I don't forget your commandments. A Song of Ascents.
