8771. And a holy nation. That this signifies thus the spiritual kingdom, is evident from the signification of “a nation,” as being those who are in good (see n. 1259, 1260, 1416, 1849, 6005); and from the signification of “holy,” which is predicated of the truth which is of good (n. 6788, 7499, 8127, 8302, 8330); consequently “a holy nation” denotes the good from which is truth. It is said “a kingdom of priests,” and “a holy nation,” and each expression signifies the spiritual kingdom, but with a difference. “A kingdom of priests” signifies those who are in good from truth, but “a holy nation” signifies those who are in good and thence in truth. They who are in good from truth look through truths upward to the Lord; but they who are in good and thence in truth are in the Lord, and from Him look at truths. These two states succeed each other with those who are being regenerated, in whom the spiritual kingdom, that is, the life of heaven, is being implanted by the Lord; for through truth they are introduced into good, thus into heaven, because heaven is good, and when they are in heaven, then there and therefrom they look to truths.

8302. Who is like Thee, magnificent in holiness. That this signifies that from Him is all that is holy, is evident from the signification of “Who is like Thee in holiness?” as being that no one is so holy; but in the internal sense, that from Him is all that is holy, because He is holiness itself. By “holy” is meant the Divine truth proceeding from the Lord; this is called “holy,” and is also meant by the “Holy Spirit,” which is for this reason called “the Spirit of truth” (John 14:16-17; 15:26-27; 16:13), and is said “to be sent by the Lord” (John 15:26-27); and it is said that “He shall receive from the Lord that which He will proclaim” (John 16:15). As “holiness” is predicated of the Divine truth which proceeds from the Lord, therefore the angels are called “holy,” because they receive it (Matthew 25:31; Mark 8:38; Luke 9:26), and also the prophets, especially the Word, which is truth Divine itself. Moreover from the Divine truth which is Himself, because from Himself, the Lord is called “the Holy One of Israel,” “the Holy One of Jacob,” and “the Holy thing of God.”