9979. The Lord alone has earned merit, for He alone, by His own efforts, has conquered the hells and subdued them. Consequently the Lord alone is merit and righteousness.

4777. 'Joseph has been torn to pieces' means that falsities render that truth entirely non-existent. This is clear from the meaning of 'being torn to pieces' as being scattered by falsities, or what amounts to the same, falsities rendering it entirely non-existent. They are falsities arising from evils, that is, from evil desires, that are meant here, 4770. Regarding these desires, see what has been stated immediately above in 4776.