AR 278 - Prayers of the Saints; AR 279 - A New Song

AR 278

Which are the prayers of the saints.
(Revelation 5:8)

This symbolizes thoughts that are matters of faith
springing from affections that are matters of charity
in people who worship the Lord
in accord with spiritual goods and truths.

Prayers mean matters having to do with faith
in people who pour forth prayers,
and at the same time matters having do to with charity,
since without these,
prayers are not prayers but empty sounds.

. . . saints symbolize people
who are impelled by spiritual gods and truths.

AR 279

And they sang a new song.
(Revelation 5:9)

This symbolizes
an acknowledgment and glorification of the Lord
as being the only judge, redeemer and savior,
thus God of heaven and earth.
These are the themes
contained in the song that they sang,
and whatever is contained is also symbolized.
. . . An acknowledgment that the Lord alone
is God of heaven and earth
and that His humanity is Divine,
or else He could not be called Redeemer and Savior,
is something that did not exist in the church before.
Therefore it is called a "new song."