Arcana Coelestia #487
487. 'Days means periods of time and states in general. This has been shown in Chapter 1, where the 'days of creation' have no other meaning. In the Word it is very common for a whole period of time to be called 'a day', as it clearly is in the present verse and in verses 5, 8, 11, 14, 17, 20, 23, 27, 31, below; and therefore the states that belong to periods of time in general are meant by 'days' as well. And when 'years' is attached, then periods of years mean the natures of those states, and so the states in particular.
[2] The most ancient people had their own particular numbers which they would use to mean different aspects of the Church - for instance, the numbers three, seven, ten, twelve, and many which they obtained from these and other numbers - and in so doing incorporated states of the Church. These numbers therefore contain arcana that would require considerable effort to unravel. Really a number was an evaluation of the states of the Church. The same feature occurs throughout the Word, especially in the prophetical. And the religious ceremonies of the Jewish Church also entail numbers specifying periods of time as well as quantities; for example, in connection with sacrifices, minchahs, oblations, and other practices, which in every case have special reference to holy things. Consequently eight hundred in this verse, nine hundred and thirty in the next, and the numbers of years mentioned in the verses that follow after that, embody in particular more matters than can possibly be retold; matters, that is to say, which have to do with changes in the state of their Church in relationship to their own general state. Later on, in the Lord's Divine mercy, the meaning of the simple numbers up to twelve will be given, for without knowing these first of all no one can grasp what compound numbers mean.
Psalms 103
1
Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, Bless his holy name.
2
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
3
Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
4
Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
5
Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.
6
The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
7
He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.
8
The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
9
He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
10
He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
11
For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
12
As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
13
Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
14
For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
15
As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
16
For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
17
But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;
18
To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.
19
The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.
20
Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
21
Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
22
Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: Bless the LORD, O my soul.
