Works
'Works,' as in Revelation 16:11, signify falsities of faith, and the resulting evils of life.
In Revelation, 'I know thy works,' is said frequently. This makes it clear that 'works' signify, generally, every aspect of the church.
'Works,' as in Genesis 46:33, denote goods, because they are from the will, and anything from the will is either good or evil, but anything from the understanding, like spoken words, are either truths or falsities.
In Genesis 2:2, the work signifies the celestial man, the highest use of God; or the accomplishment when the spiritual man becomes celestial. (Arcana Coelestia 84, 88)
In Exodus 5:9, work signifies assault for the purpose of subjugation. (Arcana Coelestia 7120)
In Genesis 39:11, it signifies the process when the Lord was conjoining Himself with spiritual good in the natural. (Arcana Coelestia 5004)
In Genesis 47:3; Psalms 8:3; 44:1; 63:12, works concern offices and uses which are done for the neighbor, the country, the church, and the Lord's kingdom.
In Exodus 5:4, work signifies that the people were not to be exempted from things that were hard to bear. (Arcana Coelestia 6073, Arcana Coelestia 7104)
In Revelation 2:2, works signify that the Lord sees man's exterior as well as his interior things. (Apocalypse Revealed 76)
In Revelation 2:6, it signifies that people do not want to claim personal merit. (Apocalypse Revealed 86)
In Revelation 2:19, 23, 26, it signifies all things of charity and faith. (Apocalypse Revealed 138, 141)
In Revelation 9:20, it signifies that they did not shun as sins their own things, which are evils of every kind. (Apocalypse Revealed 457)
(Reference: Arcana Coelestia 6048)
Psalms 44
1
We have heard with our ears, God; our fathers have told us, what work you did in their days, in the days of old.
2
You drove out the nations with your hand, but you planted them. You afflicted the peoples, but you spread them abroad.
3
For they didn't get the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them; but your right hand, and your arm, and the light of your face, because you were favorable to them.
4
You are my King, God. Command victories for Jacob!
5
Through you, will we push down our adversaries. Through your name, will we tread them under who rise up against us.
6
For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me.
7
But you have saved us from our adversaries, and have shamed those who hate us.
8
In God we have made our boast all day long, we will give thanks to your name forever. Selah.
9
But now you rejected us, and brought us to dishonor, and don't go out with our armies.
10
You make us turn back from the adversary. Those who hate us take spoil for themselves.
11
You have made us like sheep for food, and have scattered us among the nations.
12
You sell your people for nothing, and have gained nothing from their sale.
13
You make us a reproach to our neighbors, a scoffing and a derision to those who are around us.
14
You make us a byword among the nations, a shaking of the head among the peoples.
15
All day long my dishonor is before me, and shame covers my face,
16
At the taunt of one who reproaches and verbally abuses, because of the enemy and the avenger.
17
All this has come on us, yet have we not forgotten you, Neither have we been false to your covenant.
18
Our heart has not turned back, neither have our steps strayed from your path,
19
Though you have crushed us in the haunt of jackals, and covered us with the shadow of death.
20
If we have forgotten the name of our God, or spread forth our hands to a strange God;
21
won't God search this out? For he knows the secrets of the heart.
22
Yes, for your sake we are killed all day long. We are regarded as sheep for the slaughter.
23
Wake up! Why do you sleep, Lord? Arise! Don't reject us forever.
24
Why do you hide your face, and forget our affliction and our oppression?
25
For our soul is bowed down to the dust. Our body clings to the earth.
26
Rise up to help us. Redeem us for your loving kindness' sake. For the Chief Musician. Set to "The Lilies." A contemplation by the sons of Korah. A wedding song.
