the tongue with singing, (Psalm cxxvi. 2,) because laughter denotes the affection of truth, and singing denotes the truth itself, which is the object of that affection. Hence it is evident that all the parts of the human body are significative, and that the mouth is significative of a more interior principle than the tongue.
152. The Lord’s Prayer has relation,—first, to the introduction of heavenly order into the several degrees of the human mind,—secondly, to the nourishment of the life of order in each degree,—thirdly, to the expulsion of the several degrees of disorder,—and fourthly, to the glorification of the devout and humble Soul, consisting in the grateful acknowledgment that all heavenly order is from Jesus Christ, because all love and wisdom, or all good and truth, are from Him, and are His. When, therefore, it is said, Father of us, that art in the heavens, the words have reference to the inmost degree of man’s mind, which may be called the divine degree, because Jesus Christ has there His inmost residence, infinitely above the cognizance of man. Again, when we pray, Hallowed be Thy name, the words have reference to the celestial degree, or that degree in which the divine love, with all its graces and blessings, is made manifest. When we pray again, Thy kingdom come, the words have reference to the spiritual degree, or that degree in which the divine wisdom, with all its holy truths and their delights, are made manifest. In like manner in the petition, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in the earth, the words have reference to the natural degree, or that degree, in and by which the purposes of heavenly love, and
