8
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Explanation of Matthew 5:8
By Brian David
The heart – no big surprise – represents love, what we care about most. To be pure – again no big surprise – represents being devoid of evil. So the pure in heart are those who love what is good, with no shadow of evil.
The meaning of "seeing God" might be a little more surprising. "Seeing" has to do with understanding what is true, and "God" represents divine truth, or the first and most complete expression of the Lord's infinite love. So this is really more an intellectual thing than an emotional one; the verse is saying that those who have love in their hearts will be able to understand what the Lord wants from us, will be given the knowledge and wisdom to put their love into action.
(References: Arcana Coelestia 3863 [9]; The Doctrine of the New Jerusalem Regarding the Sacred Scripture 57)
Psalms 118
1
Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever.
2
Let Israel now say that his loving kindness endures forever.
3
Let the house of Aaron now say that his loving kindness endures forever.
4
Now let those who fear Yahweh say that his loving kindness endures forever.
5
Out of my distress, I called on Yah. Yah answered me with freedom.
6
Yahweh is on my side. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
7
Yahweh is on my side among those who help me. Therefore I will look in triumph at those who hate me.
8
It is better to take refuge in Yahweh, than to put confidence in man.
9
It is better to take refuge in Yahweh, than to put confidence in princes.
10
All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of Yahweh, I cut them off.
11
They surrounded me, yes, they surrounded me. In the name of Yahweh I indeed cut them off.
12
They surrounded me like bees. They are quenched like the burning thorns. In the name of Yahweh I cut them off.
13
You pushed me back hard, to make me fall, but Yahweh helped me.
14
Yah is my strength and song. He has become my salvation.
15
The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tents of the righteous. "The right hand of Yahweh does valiantly.
16
The right hand of Yahweh is exalted! The right hand of Yahweh does valiantly!"
17
I will not die, but live, and declare Yah's works.
18
Yah has punished me severely, but he has not given me over to death.
19
Open to me the gates of righteousness. I will enter into them. I will give thanks to Yah.
20
This is the gate of Yahweh; the righteous will enter into it.
21
I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me, and have become my salvation.
22
The stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner.
23
This is Yahweh's doing. It is marvelous in our eyes.
24
This is the day that Yahweh has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it!
25
Save us now, we beg you, Yahweh! Yahweh, we beg you, send prosperity now.
26
Blessed is he who comes in the name of Yahweh! We have Blessed you out of the house of Yahweh.
27
Yahweh is God, and he has given us light. Bind the sacrifice with cords, even to the horns of the altar.
28
You are my God, and I will give thanks to you. You are my God, I will exalt you.
29
Oh give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever. ALEPH
