My People Shall Know My Name
We are going on a little archaeological dig that will strengthen you in this truth. No scorching sun and heat; no sand in your eyes; no sweat on your brow; no shovel in your hand; no back-breaking labor. A real artifact regarding His holy name is to be found in the Psalms—in the New King James Version, which uses the original letter “Y” instead of the substitute letter “J”: “Sing to God, sing praises to His name; extol Him who rides on the clouds, by His Name YAH, and rejoice before Him” (Ps 68:4 NKJV — emphasis added).
YAH is a shortened abbreviated biblical version of YAHveh. The New King James Version has three other verses that use YAH in its original form. “…‘For YAH, the LORD, is my strength …’” (Isa 12:2); “Trust in the LORD forever, for in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength. …” (Isa 26:4); “‘I shall not see YAH, the LORD in the land of the living; …’” (Isa 38:11).
His voice declares to us through Isaiah: “Therefore My people shall know My name;...” (Isa 52:6).
Let us go back to the original question posed in Proverbs 30:4: “What is His name or His Son’s name? Surely you know!” As we come to Him as little children, we can answer with childlike faith and excitement, “I know, I know. His name is YAHveh!”
Now, for the less childlike and more reserved in demeanor who might be thinking, “So what? I’ve heard that name before. What’s the difference? I know of whom I’m speaking and to whom I’m praying when I call Him Lord or God.” To you I say, “Hold on!” We have just begun to unearth treasures of truth that will make a golden pathway into a more glorious and intimate relationship with the Almighty, as He, by His Spirit, builds this foundation “… precept upon precept, Line upon line, …” (Isa 28:10 NKJV); be patient! This is divinely important to our Heavenly Father and Righteous Savior, who says, “I, YAHveh, do not change;” I am the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Mal 3:6, Heb 13:8). “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away” (Lk 21:33).
HalleluYAH (Praise Be To YAH)
“The proclamation of YAHveh’s name elicits from the worshiper the highest form of praise, glory, and honor due to the almighty King””
Hoping we can all with one accord, to one degree or another, say HalleluYAH, we can move on to this universal and well-known word. This most exalted form of praise has been spoken, written, prayed and sung by Jews and Christians alike for thousands of years. HalleluYAH is simply: Hallelu—“praise be to,” YAH—“YAHveh, the one true living God.” Praise be to YAH—HalleluYAH! The proclamation of YAHveh’s name elicits from the worshiper the highest form of praise, glory, and honor due to the almighty King. His name speaks of His salvation for Israel and all Gentiles joined with her. His name proclaims His infinite mercy, compassion, goodness, protection, and deliverance for those who love Him and revere His name.
His name also declares His holiness and resulting vengeance against Israel’s enemies and His judgments and wrath upon all who mock His name and transgress His righteous commandments. Those who wholeheartedly exclaim “HalleluYAH” bring glory to the name of YAHveh and give praise to all that His name embodies. “There is none like Thee, O YAHveh; Thou art great, and great is Thy name in might. Who would not fear Thee, O King of the nations? Indeed it is Thy due! …” (Jer 10:6-7).
Many of King David’s psalms, as well as those written by the other psalmists, were aimed at the magnification and exaltation of YAHveh’s holy memorial-name.
“Ascribe to YAHveh the glory due to His name; worship YAHveh in holy array” (Ps 29:2). — “Let them praise the name of YAHveh, For His name alone is exalted; …” (Ps 148:13). — “O magnify YAHveh with me, And let us exalt His name together” (Ps 34:3). — “Oh give thanks to YAHveh, call upon his name; … Glory in His holy name; Let the heart of those who seek YAHveh be glad.” (Ps 105:1-3)
The holy Scripture, YAH’s written, eternal Word, concludes the ages with a resounding of heavenly HalleluYAHs
“I heard, as it were, a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, ‘HalleluYAH! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God …’ And a second time they said, ‘HalleluYAH!’ … And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped YAHveh who sits on the throne saying, ‘Amen. HalleluYAH!’ … And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude and as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty peals of thunder, saying, ‘HalleluYAH! For YAHveh our God, the Almighty, reigns.’” (Rev 19:1-6)
The ultimate HalleluYAH chorus is going to close this age and welcome all the redeemed of all ages into the eternal kingdom—of Whom? What is His name? Surely you know it is YAHveh! “And He will reign … forever; and His kingdom will have no end” (Lk 1:33).
Does He love His name? Yes. He and His name are inseparable. Do YOU love His name? Let us all who love the holy name of YAHveh proclaim together this psalm. It is the first psalm of the Hallel.1 For centuries it has been joyfully recited by the Jewish people for the holy festivals of Passover (Pesach), Pentecost (Shavuot) and Tabernacles (Sukkot). Quite possibly this psalm, among the others of the Hallel, was reverently sung from the mouth of Messiah and His twelve disciples at the Passover Seder, the Last Supper (Mt 26:30).
PRAISE YAHVEH! [HALLELUYAH!]
PRAISE, O SERVANTS OF YAHVEH
PRAISE THE NAME OF YAHVEH.
BLESSED BE THE NAME OF YAHVEH.
From this time forth and forever.
From the rising of the sun to its setting
THE NAME OF YAHVEH IS TO BE PRAISED.
PRAISE YAHVEH! [HALLELUYAH!]
(Ps 113:1-3, 9)
Footnote:
1 “A song of praise. The name derives from the Hebrew ‘Praise Thou.’ The singing of psalms of praise was a special duty of the Levites (2 Chron. 7:6; Ezra 3:11). The ‘Egyptian’ Hallel (Pss. 113-118) was recited in homes as part of the Passover celebration (compare Ps. 114:1; Matt. 26:30)… . The ‘Great Hallel’ was recited in the Temple as the Passover lambs were being slain and at Pentecost, Tabernacles, and Dedication.” Holman Bible Dictionary, s.v., “Hallel.”
