The Names of God
The following is an excerpt from Keely’s new book, “More Than A Song: Worship is the Relentless Pursuit of the Lover of our Soul.”
God has many names in Scripture, and they wonderfully describe who He is. When we hunger and desire to know Him more, He will reveal more about who He is. As worshipers, we must understand who God is. The more we know Him, the more we worship Him in spirit and truth.
We can learn more about Him by learning His names and what they mean. His names are intentional, and they describe Him accurately. Careful study of these names help us have a better understanding of who He is. In the bible, names are incredibly intentional. Names hold tremendous meaning and declare the very nature and character of someone. Even though, by all modern standards, that is not the case, names are important to God.
Every Hebrew name has a prophetic meaning as it always points to the character of who the person is. Abraham was initially named Abram, and God changed his name to Abraham when He entered into a covenant with him, giving him a part of His name. God changed his name from “exalted father” to “father of many.”
God has also given Himself many names so that we can deepen our revelation of who He is. Our understanding of Him will continue to grow as we study these names. Each name is an invitation, the first step, so to speak, to knowing and developing a rich relationship with Him. As worshipers, our greatest desire should be to know Him more.
Take some time to slowly read through these names of God and contemplate how He is revealing Himself to you.
El Shaddai: Lord God Almighty
El Elyon: The Most High God
Adonai: Lord, Master
Jehovah-Raah: The Lord My Shepherd
Jehovah Mekoddishkem: The Lord Who Sanctifies You
Qanna: Jealous
Abba: Father
Alpha and Omega: The Beginning and End
Attiyq Youm: The Ancient of Days
Christos: The Anointed One
El Chuwl: The God Who Gave You Birth
El Deah: The God of Knowledge
El Elyon: The God Most High
El Olam: The Everlasting God
El Roi: The God Who Sees
El Shaddai: God Almighty
Elohim: The Creator
Yahweh: The Self-Existent One
Yahweh-Bore: The LORD Creator
Yahweh-Jireh: The LORD Our Provider
Yahweh-Nissi: The LORD Our Banner
Yahweh-Rapha: The LORD Our Healer
Yahweh-Rohi: The LORD Our Shepherd
Yahweh-Sabbaoth: The LORD of Hosts
Yahweh-Shalom: The LORD is Peace
Yahweh-Shammah: The LORD is There
Yahweh-Tsidkenu: The LORD Our Righteousness
