A Goody From Woody

March 31, 2010


A couple of years ago I picked up a news item from a religious service. The title of the article was “No Yahweh” in songs, prayers at Catholic Masses, Vatican Rules.

I was rather intrigued by the article since our children grew up singing, among other songs, “El Shaddai” sung by Amy Grant, and written by Michael Card and John Thompson. Of course El Shaddai is Hebrew for “God Almighty.” So why did our Catholic friends take the name “Yahweh” out of their prayers and songs at Mass? I wanted to know the answer since we taught our children from early on that God had a personal name, and it was “Yahweh.” We taught them other Old Testament names for God that described His attributes and character qualities. Some of those names are from Hebrew: El Elyon, “Lord God Almighty”; Adonai, “Lord, Master”; Jehovah Nissi, “The Lord My Banner”;
Jehovah Tsidkenu, “The Lord our Righteousness.”

I think you will appreciate why the Psalmist wrote, “Let them praise the name of the Lord: for His name alone is excellent; His glory is above the earth and heaven.” (Psalm 148:13)

But the name “Yahweh” was removed for what reason? The Vatican wanted to be sensitive to Jewish people who do not pronounce YHWH (God’s name may be written this way – four consonants called the Tetragrammaton.)

Interestingly, without the vowel marks or sounds, no one knows how to pronounce the four letters. William Gesenius (1786-1842) suggested “Yahweh” as the most probable vocalization, based on history of Hebrew and Greek and Samaritan traditions.

I believe Christians want to reverence and respect God’s name. So as I was pondering all this I went back and said, “How did David refer to God in Psalm 23?”

David uses God’s personal name!!! He wrote “Yaheweh” is my Shepherd .…” Why did David do that? He could have several dozen names for God. I believe the answer is this is God’s name—His personal name. I may be called pastor, teacher, Biblical Counselor or even papa, but my personal name is Woody.

Political correctness may get me in trouble with people, but when you cry out in love, worship or praise to our wonderful God, don’t be ashamed to pray, “You ‘Yahweh’ are my Shepherd!”

God Bless,
Woody