Names of God - Introduction "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) Isn't God's name "God" or "Lord" or "Lord Almighty"? No, "God" and "Lord" are not His name; they are titles. The God of the Bible — the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (later changed by God to Israel) — is the God of many gods, the Lord of many lords. What difference does it make what name I use? In the Bible, a name was more than just a label; it was an identity, a selfness, an exactness. For example... The name Jacob meant "overthrower" or "deceiver". Genesis 27:36a: "And he said, 'Is not he rightly named Jacob? for he hath supplanted me these two times:' " Later, God changed Jacob's name to Israel, which means "princely contender with God". Genesis 32:28: "And he said, 'Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.' " The name Nabal meant "fool". 1 Samuel 25:25: "For as his name is, so is he; Nabal is his name, and folly is with him." The name Jabez meant "pain" or "sorrowful". 1 Chronicles 4:9: "...his mother called his name Jabez, saying, 'Because I bare him with sorrow.' " The names God uses for Himself in the Bible reveal His characteristics — who He is, what He is, and what He does. When the Bible uses the phrase the "name of God" or "in the name of the Lord" it refers to His total person — all that He is. God's name is excellent and majestic, as in Psalm 8:1: "Yahweh, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth, who has set your glory above the heavens!" As you get to know God by His names, your view of Him will change. He will become bigger, more majestic, more holy, more able to meet every one of your deepest needs, and more worthy of your heartfelt devotion and worship. Who is God to you? Is He El Elyon, the Most High God... is He Yahweh Rohi, your Shepherd... Yahweh Rophe, your Healer... Yahweh Tsid'ke-nu, your Righteousness... Yaweh Jireh, the Lord Who Provides? God knows each of us by name. Shouldn't we know Him by His? Hallowed be Your name? "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name..." (Matthew 6:9) To hallow God's name means to set it apart, to exalt it as being worthy of absolute devotion and reverence. Nehemiah 9:5b: "Stand up and bless Yahweh your God from everlasting to everlasting; and blessed be your glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise." Exodus 20:7: "You shall not take the name of Yahweh your God in vain, for Yahweh will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain." Leviticus 22:32: "You shall not profane My holy name, but I will be made holy among the children of Israel. I am Yahweh who makes you holy."