THE NAMES OF GOD

“Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory [is] above the earth and heaven.” Psa 148:13

Names are important it’s what identifies us.  In the Old Testament times, a name was not only identification, but an identity as well.  Often times a name  revealed the character or make up of a person . Abigail in explaining to David her husband’s poor decision explained,  Nabal, whose name means fool, “For as his name is, so is he; Nabal is his name, and folly is with him:” – 1Sam  25:25).

Throughout Scripture God reveals Himself to us through His names. When we study these names we will better understand who God really is. The meanings behind God’s names reveal His central personality and  nature. In the disciples prayer Jesus taught us to declare, “Hallowed be Your name.” To hallow a thing is to make it holy or to set it apart to be exalted as being worthy of absolute devotion. To hallow the name of God is to regard Him with complete devotion and loving admiration. The Priestly Levites declared to the Children of Israel,  “Arise, bless the Lord your God forever and ever! Oh may Your glorious name be blessed and exalted above all blessing and praise! (Neh 9:5). We should never take the  name of the Lord lightly (Ex 20:7; Lev 22:32), but always rejoice in it and reflect  deeply upon its true meaning.