Several psalms of David were read, and indeed, in such a way that the inward and more inward levels of meaning were conveyed, by the mercy of God the Messiah, to the perception of certain heavenly [angels]. They were so struck with amazement as to declare aloud that they had never believed such things [were in them] - as did also those who were dead in the life after death, because the Word had similarly affected them. In order that the difference could be observed, the meaning of the Word was brought to them just about as it had been in their lifetime when the same things were read, and this was so different that they had seen in it hardly any heavenly life at all. From this one may infer what kind of power there is in the Word, when God the Messiah mercifully enlivens it; and what kind when the letter is as if dead, as it is when read by the dead. 1747, the 13th day of December.