2
And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
Genesis 1:2
Arcana Coelestia #862
862. That 'it happened at the end of forty days' means the duration of the former state, and the beginning of the one that followed, is clear from the meaning of 'forty', see 730, where, the subject being temptation, the phrase 'forty days and forty nights' was used, which meant the duration of temptation. Here, since the subject is the state following temptation, 'forty days' is mentioned but not forty nights. The reason is that charity now starts to appear, which in the Word is compared to the day and is called the day. Faith however which precedes but has not yet been so joined to charity is compared to the night and is called the night, as in Genesis 1:16, and elsewhere in the Word. Faith is also called 'the night' in the Word because it receives its light from charity, just as the moon does from the sun. Faith is therefore also compared to the moon and is called the moon; and love or charity is compared to the sun and is called the sun. 'Forty days', or the duration of time meant by them, refers both to the things that precede and to those that follow; hence the statement 'at the end of forty days', which accordingly means both the duration of the previous state, and the beginning of the one being described now. This then begins the description of the second state following temptation of the member of this Church.
Psalms 136
1
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
2
O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever.
3
O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.
4
To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever.
5
To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever.
6
To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever.
7
To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever:
8
The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever:
9
The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever.
10
To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever:
11
And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever:
12
With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever.
13
To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever:
14
And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever:
15
But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever.
16
To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endureth for ever.
17
To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:
18
And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:
19
Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever:
20
And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endureth for ever:
21
And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endureth for ever:
22
Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endureth for ever.
23
Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever:
24
And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever.
25
Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever.
26
O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.
