Arcana Coelestia #58
58. Verse 30 And to every wild animal of the earth and to every bird of the air, 1 and to everything creeping over the earth in which there is a living soul [I give] every plant for food; and it was so.
The natural food of this same [spiritual man] is being described here. His natural level is here meant by 'wild animal of the earth' and by 'bird of the air, to which 'the edible and green plant 2 has been given for food'. Both kinds of food, natural and spiritual, are referred to in David as follows,
Jehovah causes the grass to grow for the beast, and the plant for man's service, that he may bring forth bread from the earth. Psalms 104:14.
Here 'beast' stands for both wild animals of the earth and birds of the air, 1 both being mentioned in verses 11-12 of that Psalm.
Notes de bas de page:
Psalms 148
1
Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: Praise him in the heights.
2
Praise ye him, all his angels: Praise ye him, all his hosts.
3
Praise ye him, sun and moon: Praise him, all ye stars of light.
4
Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens.
5
Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created.
6
He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass.
7
Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps:
8
Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word:
9
Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars:
10
Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl:
11
Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth:
12
Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children:
13
Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.
14
He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. praise ye the LORD.
