8652. Because the God of my father was my help. That this signifies the Lord's mercy and presence in the church, is evident from the signification of "father," as being the church as to good (see n. 5581), and as being the Ancient Church (n. 6050, 6075, 6846); from the signification of "the God of my father," as being the Divine of the Ancient Church, which was the Lord (n. 6846, 6876, 6884); and from the signification of "help," when predicated of the Lord, as being mercy; for help from Him is of mercy, and is also of presence, because where the reception of mercy is, there is presence; and this is especially in the church, because there is the Word, and through the Word the Lord's presence.
