Spiritual Meaning of Remember

Spiritual Meaning of

Remember

It is said of Jehovah in the Word, that is, of the Lord that He remembers, and that He does not remember, and by this is signified that it is then done from mercy, whether it is preservation or deliverance. In like manner it is said that He sees, hears, and knows, and that He does not see, hear, and know; by which expressions also is signified having compassion, or not having compassion. That it is so said is from the likeness and appearance with man; for when a man turns away from the Lord, as is the case when he does evil, then, because the Lord is at his back, it appears to him as if the Lord does not see him, does not hear him, and does not know him, and also does not remember him; when yet this is with the man, and therefore from the appearance it is so said in the Word. Very different is it when a man turns toward the Lord, as is the case when he acts well (AC 9306). Everyone can know that calling to mind, or remembering, cannot be predicated of the Lord, because things past and future are in Him eternal, that is, are present from eternity to eternity.

[2] That remembering, when said of the Lord, denotes to have compassion, and thus from mercy to preserve or deliver, is evident from the following passages:--

Jehovah hath made known His salvation; His righteousness hath He revealed before the eyes of the nations. He hath remembered His mercy and His truth toward the house of Israel (Ps. 98:2, 3).

Jehovah hath remembered us in our humility, for His mercy is forever (Ps. 136:23).

Remember not the sins of my youth, and my transgressions; according to Thy mercy remember Thou me, for Thy goodness' sake, O Jehovah (Ps. 25:7).

He remembered for them His covenant, and repented in the multitude of His mercies (Ps. 106:45).

He hath made His wonderful works to be remembered; Jehovah is gracious and merciful. He hath given food unto them that fear Him; He hath remembered His covenant forever (Ps. 111:4, 5).

Remember not former iniquities; let Thy compassions anticipate us (Ps. 79:8).

God hath accepted his servant Israel, that He might remember His mercy; to do mercy with our fathers, and to remember His holy covenant (Luke 1:54, 72).

What is man that Thou dost remember him? (Ps. 8:4).

Remember me, O Jehovah, in the good pleasure of Thy people (Ps. 106:4).

Jehovah hath remembered us; He blesseth (Ps. 115:12).

If looking Thou wilt look on the misery of Thine handmaid, and wilt remember me, and not forget Thine handmaid (1 Sam. 1:11);

being the prayer of Hannah the mother of Samuel; and when she bare him, it is said that Jehovah remembered her (1 Sam. 1:19), that is, looked upon her misery, and performed mercy. In like manner in many other passages, as (Lev. 26:41, 42, 45; Num. 10:9; Isa. 49:25; 49:1; 64:9; Jer. 31:34).

from AC 9849

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Author: E. Swedenborg (1688-1772).

Design: I.J. Thompson, Feb 2002.