Whom Do You Praise?
Let them praise the name of the Lord, for His name alone is exalted; His glory is above earth and heaven. Psalm 148:13 NASB
His name – Names are quite important in Hebrew thought. They are rarely random choices. Names reveal essential aspects of the object named. That’s why we must pay close attention to naming in the biblical text. A good example is Adam naming the woman Havvah. There is always a reason for a name.[1]
This makes the statement of David even more important. We are not praising the Lord. We are not praising God. We are not praising Jesus, or even Yeshua. According to David, we are praising the only name worthy of exultation, that is, shem YHVH. But this is a problem. It wasn’t a problem of David. He knew God’s name—YHVH plus the vowels to go with the consonants. But now we don’t know the vowels. So we substitute Adonai or HaShem or LORD.[2] While I am sure God knows what we mean, it must be disappointing to not actually use the name that alone must be exalted. I wonder if the Creator wouldn’t like to hear us praise His name rather than some substitute.
How we got into this state of confusion is a long story, not worth repeating here. But that we are in a state of confusion about the name of God reveals something rather troubling. You see, we have become accustomed to the substitutions, so much so that we don’t even think about God having a personal name. For us, God is God—and that’s all that matters. But in the ancient world of Scripture, there were lots of gods and they all had names. So it was vitally important to know which god you were talking about. To use the wrong name meant very bad things. In our world, we have adopted the Greek philosophers’ view of God. He doesn’t actually even need a name since there is only one of Him. He is no longer the God in competition with all the other gods. He is God, end of story! Therefore, we think that addressing Him as “God” is quite sufficient.
But I wonder if we haven’t done ourselves a disservice with this accommodation. A relationship with “God” isn’t quite as personal and intimate as a relationship with the person who is God but has a personal name. Imagine if you had a relationship with “wife” or “husband,” and that’s what you called them. Wouldn’t you feel as if there was still something missing? Sometimes I feel as if my relationship with “God” is like a relationship with the “President.” There’s a big difference between “Mr. President” and his name. I don’t want that kind of formal, status acknowledgement relationship with my Maker (another status word). I want to know Him! I want to be able to speak His name and hear Him answer me. “God” is nice, but it’s not who He is. “God” is what He is.
On the other hand, keeping Him in that status box allows me to circumvent the commitments of a true, deep and real relationship with a person. Everything is just a bit more formal, and if I want to avoid personal expectations, then “God” will do nicely. It just leaves me wanting in those moments when I really need a Father’s touch. David wasn’t a man after God’s own heart. He was a man after the heart of YHVH, and he knew that name.
Topical Index: name, YHVH, God, shem, Psalm 148:13
[1] If you want to know more about the name Havvah, you can read Guardian Angel or consult the proper verses on my web site.
[2] Nehemiah Gordon’s recent book argues for specific vowels from certain ancient Jewish texts.
(Yē-Hō-văh) If that is how Nehemiah argues the sound.
Interesting sound.
I think he pronounces the Ye as a short e not a long e. The Ho is definitely long. The vah is not a short “a” but the ahh sound. Ye– with the letter “e” as in “get — Ho — with the letter “o” as long as in Ho Ho Ho — and Vah — with the “ah” pronounced like “ahhh”
While Nehemiah is a scholar, having studied at Hebrew University, and holds his views strongly he doesn’t use pronunciation as a cudgel. He has an interesting and well researched view of why Yahweh is not the correct pronunciation.
Nehemiah was raised orthodox here in the U.S. but now identifies as a Karaite Jew.
This is a great post! I know God has a name, but I hadn’t really thought about how it creates a more personal relationship. And then I considered how I have a relationship with John (my husband), and I call my children by their names, not “child” (unless I’m frustrated). I had always kind of thought of YHVH as another way of saying “God” and not so much as a personal name. That’s a really cool thought, and it does make me wish that we hadn’t “lost” His name. I think the fact that he actually allows us to know and speak His name is a mark of how much he desires and treasures relationship with us! My students call me Mrs. Youngblood (which is kind of formal), but only my friends and family call me Amanda. And God allows us to know his name (or did until we “lost” it), and he says that he wants us to call on him using that name! That’s a whole different level of knowledge and relationship. Thanks for posting this, Skip!
I really appreciated this post, Skip. We sing about “power in His name”, but we don’t even use His personal name. Lately I have been inserting or substituting Yahweh into the worship songs that we sing.
Thank you for all the energy that you expend in your studies and teachings. I know, He provides, but you must be willing. So, thanks for your willingness. Love from Delaware.
It’s been “Father” for me lately. After we mended our relationship, that is.
I use Father when I talk to him as well. When speaking about him to others, I say “God”. But I wish we could fully recover his true name.
Naming Names
It is written, concerning the Messiah, that
~ Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on (or gave unto) Him the Name which is above every name, so that at the Name, (that beautiful Name, that wonderful Name, that matchless Name) – EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in Heaven and on Earth and under the earth,..
And?
~ and every tongue (will sooner or later- hopefully sooner than later!) confess that (He) is LORD, – to the glory of God the Father ~
(Philippians 2.9-11)
Oh! And lest we forget, ~ Whosoever (anyone, anywhere who) shall call upon the Name of the LORD shall be saved! ~ (Romans 10.13)
“Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.”
“She will bear a Son; and you shall call His Name ( ______ ) , for He will save His people from their sins.” Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the LORD through the prophet: “BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL,” which translated means, “GOD WITH US.”…
And?
~ He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His Name is called The Word of God ~ (Revelation 19.13)
It makes me shutter to hear all the back biting and slander surrounding Avinu’s Name. It also makes me very nervous to hear people who refuse to keep the commands use His name.
I’ve been pondering this for several years and recently revisited the ten things. What I find is quite sobering. Please Skip say something if I have just slaughtered the text beyond recognition.
A simple look at a wooden translation reveals much.
לֹא יִהְיֶה לְךָ אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים עַל פָּנָי
Lo YieYe Lecha Elohim achrim ol phani
not he shall become to you God other ones on faces of me
So my thought is that since there is only one creature in the universe that is made to reflect His image, that it is pretty disgusting to wear the face of Elohim (how much worse to call yourself by His name and use His name) but act like a/the beast. This is why keeping His Torah becomes so important. The way I’m seeing it for the moment is that the first 3 things/words are a description of what not to do and the following 7 are a description of how to accomplish that.
There is much wisdom in not using His name while behaving like the beast.
Good insight. Like the lecture I have given on “Being Human.” And it falls in line with the culture coming out of Egypt. thanks.
Becoming Human
Who (someone inquired) was (and still is!) the most “human” of all humans who ever lived? Fierce, and yet tender- who is both our Example and our Exemplar- The (only) One ever who “walked the walk?”
One who both showed us the Way and One who is the Way? Friend, One and only One has ever kept the Torah of YHWH- “perfectly!” How dare any man, (save One) ask the question:- “Which of you convinces me of sin?”
I would beg those who know me, please- don’t ask this of me! Simply put, sin is a two-sided coin. We (all, btw..) don’t do what God instructs us to do – and.. we also do what God says not to do! One more time.. (how many exposures do we need to the truth- before we “get it?” ALL (all y’all- oh yes!- including “self!) have sinned! (Romans 3.23)
Is a short review in order? The history of mankind is not a pretty one. The original Adam, first in the line of many – sinned. He (and she) both disobeyed Elohim. God said DO NOT and they (by their own free will or choice) made the decision, to “do.”
They both disobeyed the clear and concise instructions of YHWH- “Do NOT eat the fruit.” (Adam or Eve, -what part of “NO” don’t you understand?)
So long Paradise. God said, “Because you have done this.. you shall..”
Sin not only separates or divides, but we also must know there are consequences to our wrong choices also! Every choice (whether good or bad) is followed by a (??) – consequence. ~ The one who sins is the one who will die ~ (Ezekiel 18.20) Wow! When it comes to sin.. – God don’t play!
If any man or woman doubts the serious consequences of sin- open your eyes and take a good look! Sin has absolutely polluted this planet! I could go on, “pointing,” – but why bother? Why? – Beloved, (are you listening?) –
~ There is ONE and only ONE human (ever) to have lived a “perfectly obedient” life!!
Let us then ~ be (Ever-Always-Only) looking unto “One and only One” -The only begotten One; One who is full of grace and truth, One who was made unto us wisdom from God, both righteousness and sanctification, and redemption! One who is both the Author and the Perfecter of our faith ~ Why? Because ~ of HIm, and through Him and to Him are all things!!
Should we, – shall we then confess with our mouths and believe this in our hearts?
– Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing! ~
And?
~ And every created thing which is in Heaven and on the Earth and under the Earth and on the Sea, and all things in them, I heard saying,
“To Him who sits on the throne – and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.”…
Wonderful article today. I appreciated it very much. I feel the same way about Yahweh’s name and it must be made known and spoken. I do call Him Father but I also speak His name and tell others about it. The response to it is usually no response or plain not interested or “well, He knows my heart and He still speaks to me so why do I need to know”. Yet, I will continue to speak His name.
Skip, I posted a link to this page on Nehemiah’s FB page. Nehemiah is a good guy and someone that you might like getting to know. Just FYI.
Yes, we know each other and have communicated before.
What is the name of the Nehemia Gordon book that discusses God’s name?
Shattering the Conspiracy of Silence, i believe.
In the book he’s saying that the actual name of YHVH is “Yehovah”. I’ve met him and he seems to be a nice man. However, his premise of the book is that there’s this huge conspiracy against the Name of YHVH and that he came across this rare manuscript that had the actual name of YHVH spelled out. When in reality, it was merely a qere-ketiv.
In the MT of the Hebrew Bible, the Masoretes indicated a qere-ketiv (what is read instead of
what is written) whenever the Name appears. They would write the vowels of the word that should
be substituted for the Name. Thus, when Adonai was to be read instead of the Tetragrammaton,
they would write YeHoVaH ( יְהוָֹה or יֲהוָה ). Not realizing this, later translators manufactured “Jehovah”
as God’s Name, but of course this is the consonants of the Tetragrammaton with the vowels
of Adonai—a genuine misnomer! In certain instances, where YHVH is coupled with Adonai (e.g.,
Gen 15:2), it became the tradition to substitute Elohim for the Tetragrammaton, and thus the Name
is written יְהוִה or יֱהוִה in the MT.
So, it just simply wasn’t some big “Conspiracy”. And I’m fairly certain he knows that.
There isn’t any special privilege or some kind of extra boost in answering our prayers in saying His name correctly. Because honestly, anyone that tells us that they know exactly how it’s pronounced, is mis-informed. It’s that simple.
“Knowing” His name, isn’t about saying it correctly, it’s a covenantal relationship.
In that day, He isn’t going to tell us that since we didn’t figure it out, we’re cast off. In fact when I cried out to Yeshua/YHVH I did it with the Name Jesus. And He answered me with the truth of His Salvation.
Shalom