Arcana Coelestia # 5
5. But unless he has it from the Lord no human being can possibly know that this is the situation. By way of introductory remarks therefore it can be disclosed that in the Lord's Divine mercy I have been allowed constantly and without interruption for several years now to share the experiences of spirits and angels, to listen to them speaking and to speak to them myself. I have been allowed therefore to hear and see astounding things in the next life which have never come to any man's knowledge, nor even entered his imagination. In that world I have learned about different kinds of spirits, about the state of souls after death, about hell (the miserable state of people who do not have faith), about heaven (the very happy state of those who do have faith), and above all else about the doctrine of the faith that is acknowledged in the whole of heaven. In the Lord's Divine mercy more will be told about these matters in what follows.
Psalms 33
1
Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.
2
Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.
3
Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.
4
For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth.
5
He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.
6
By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.
7
He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses.
8
Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.
9
For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.
10
The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.
11
The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.
12
Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD: and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.
13
The LORD looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men.
14
From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth.
15
He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.
16
There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.
17
An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.
18
Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;
19
To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.
20
Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield.
21
For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.
22
Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.
