Arcana Coelestia #435
435. As regards 'the man and his wife' here being used to mean the new Church which earlier on was meant by 'Adah and Zillah', this nobody can know or deduce from the sense of the letter, for previously 'the man (homo) and his wife' meant the Most Ancient Church and its descendants. The point is clear however from the internal sense, and also from the fact that a little further on, in verses 3-4 of the next chapter, reference is again made, though the wording is entirely different, to the man and his wife begetting Seth. At that point the first generation of the descendants of the Most Ancient Church is meant. Unless something different were meant at this point there would be no need to say the same thing again. A parallel to this exists in Chapter 1, where the subject is the creation of man, and also of the fruits of the earth, and of beasts; followed by Chapter 2, where similar events are described, the reason for the similarity being, as has been stated, that Chapter 1 deals with the creation of the spiritual man, Chapter 2 with the creation of the celestial man. When this kind of repetition of one and the same person or thing occurs, something different is meant on the first occasion from the second. But the exact meaning cannot possibly be known except from the internal sense. The actual train of thought in like manner establishes the meaning here. And there is the added consideration that 'man and wife' is a general expression meaning that Church, which is the subject here and from which the new Church was born.
Psalms 102
1
Hear my prayer, Yahweh! Let my cry come to you.
2
Don't hide your face from me in the day of my distress. Turn your ear to me. Answer me quickly in the day when I call.
3
For my days consume away like smoke. My bones are burned as a torch.
4
My heart is blighted like grass, and withered, for I forget to eat my bread.
5
By reason of the voice of my groaning, my bones stick to my skin.
6
I am like a pelican of the wilderness. I have become as an owl of the waste places.
7
I watch, and have become like a sparrow that is alone on the housetop.
8
My enemies reproach me all day. Those who are mad at me use my name as a curse.
9
For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mixed my drink with tears,
10
Because of your indignation and your wrath, for you have taken me up, and thrown me away.
11
My days are like a long shadow. I have withered like grass.
12
But you, Yahweh, will remain forever; your renown endures to all generations.
13
You will arise and have mercy on Zion; for it is time to have pity on her. Yes, the set time has come.
14
For your servants take pleasure in her stones, and have pity on her dust.
15
So the nations will fear the name of Yahweh; all the kings of the earth your glory.
16
For Yahweh has built up Zion. He has appeared in his glory.
17
He has responded to the prayer of the destitute, and has not despised their prayer.
18
This will be written for the generation to come. A people which will be created will praise Yah.
19
For he has looked down from the height of his sanctuary. From heaven, Yahweh saw the earth;
20
to hear the groans of the prisoner; to free those who are condemned to death;
21
that men may declare the name of Yahweh in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem;
22
when the peoples are gathered together, the kingdoms, to serve Yahweh.
23
He weakened my strength along the course. He shortened my days.
24
I said, "My God, don't take me away in the midst of my days. Your years are throughout all generations.
25
Of old, you laid the foundation of the earth. The heavens are the work of your hands.
26
They will perish, but you will endure. Yes, all of them will wear out like a garment. You will change them like a cloak, and they will be changed.
27
But you are the same. Your years will have no end.
28
The children of your servants will continue. Their seed will be established before you." By David.
