389. Verses 9-11. And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those slain because of the Word of God, and because of the testimony that they held. 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 them 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.

9. "And when he had opened the fifth seal," signifies still further prediction (n. 390); "I saw under the altar," signifies those who were preserved under heaven n. 391; "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. n. 392).

10. "And they cried out with a great voice," signifies their grief of mind (n. 393); "saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost Thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?" signifies sighings to the Lord, who is Righteousness, respecting the judgment and removal of those who persecute and infest those who acknowledge the Lord, and are in the life of charity n. 394.

11. "And there were given to every one of them white robes," signifies Divine truth from the Lord with them, and protection n. 395; "and it was said unto them they should rest yet a little time," signifies some further continuance in that state (n. 396); "until their fellow-servants, as well as their brethren, who were to be killed, as they also were, should be fulfilled," signifies until all things were consummated n. 397.

85. To show from the Word that there are in it such paired expressions which seem to be repetitious of the same idea would be a tedious task, as it would take pages. However, in order to banish doubt, I would like to cite passages in which judgment and justice (or righteousness) are mentioned together, then passages in which nation and people are mentioned together, and then joy and gladness.

The following are passages in which judgment and justice (or righteousness) are mentioned together:

(The city) was full of judgment; righteousness spent the night.... (Isaiah 1:21)

Zion shall be redeemed in righteousness, and her former exiles in judgment. (Isaiah 1:27)

Let Jehovah Zebaoth be exalted in judgment, and God, the Holy One, shall be hallowed in righteousness. (Isaiah 5:16)

(He will sit) upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to...establish it with judgment and justice.... (Isaiah 9:7)

Let Jehovah be exalted, for He dwells on high, and He has filled Zion with judgment and righteousness. (Isaiah 33:5)

...said Jehovah: “Maintain judgment, and do righteousness; for My salvation is near..., that My righteousness may be revealed. (Isaiah 56:1)

...as a nation that did righteousness, and did not forsake the judgment of their God. They will ask of Me the judgments of justice. (Isaiah 58:2)

...swear, “as Jehovah lives, ” ...in judgment, and in righteousness. (Jeremiah 4:2)

...let him who glories glory in this..., that...Jehovah...(exercises)...judgment and righteousness in the earth. (Jeremiah 9:24)

Execute judgment and righteousness.... Woe to him who builds his house without righteousness, and his upper rooms without judgment.... Did not your father...do judgment and righteousness? (And) then it was well with him. (Jeremiah 22:3, 13, 15)

...I will raise to David a righteous Branch, who shall reign...as a king, and execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. (Jeremiah 23:5, cf. 33:15)

If a man is just, who does judgment and justice.... (Ezekiel 18:5)

...if (the impious man) turns from his sin and does judgment and justice..., no mention...will be made against him; he has done judgment and justice; he shall surely live. (Ezekiel 33:14, 16, cf. 33:19)

I will betroth you to Me forever...in righteousness and judgment, and in mercy and compassion. (Hosea 2:19)

Judgment shall flow like water, and righteousness like a mighty torrent. (Amos 5:24)

...you have turned judgment into gall, and the fruit of righteousness into wormwood. (Amos 6:12)

...(Jehovah) pleads my case and executes judgment for me, (and) brings me forth into the light, and I see His righteousness. (Micah 7:9)

O Jehovah, Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; Your judgments are a great ocean. (Psalms 36:6)

(Jehovah) shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your judgment as noonday. (Psalms 37:6)

(Jehovah) will judge Your people with righteousness, and Your wretched with judgment. (Psalms 72:2)

Righteousness and judgment are the foundation of Your throne. (Psalms 89:14)

...when I learn the judgments of Your rightousness.... Seven times a day I praise You, because of the judgments of Your righteousness. (Psalms 119:7, 164)

(Gad) administered the justice of Jehovah, and His judgment with Israel. (Deuteronomy 33:21)

(The Spirit of truth) will indict the world...of righteousness, and of judgment.... (John 16:8, 10)

And so on elsewhere.

[2] Judgment and justice are mentioned so frequently because judgment is predicated of truths, and justice or righteousness of goodness. To execute judgment and justice, therefore, also means to be prompted to do so by truth and by goodness.

Judgment is predicated of truth, and justice or righteousness of goodness, because the Lord’s government in the spiritual kingdom is said to be one of judgment, while the Lord’s government in the celestial kingdom is said to be one of righteousness. Regarding this, see the book Heaven and Hell 214, 215.

Because judgment is predicated of truth, in some places we find mention of truth and righteousness, or truth and justice, as in Isaiah 11:5, Psalms 85:11, and elsewhere.