This is a Psalm written by
David during the time Saul was seeking to kill him. The event that prompted the
writing of this psalm is recorded in I Samuel 23:15-24 and I Samuel 26:1. David
had gone to hide in an area occupied by the Ziphims, whom he thought were his
friends. But they betrayed him. They told Saul David was hiding among them.
David was saved by God's intervention causing a deep sleep to fall over Saul's
entire army.
In his distress, David
relied on both the name and the strength of God. He called out to God to save
him: “Save me, O God, by thy name, and judge me by thy strength”
(54:1).
Save me, O God, by thy
name - Name speaks of the nature and
character of God; strength of His great power. The word for “God” here is the
Hebrew “Elohim”. Elohim denotes “God” or “god.” It is one of the most
common names for God in the Old Testament, starting in the very first verse: “In
the beginning [Elohim] created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1).
The basic meaning behind the name Elohim is one of strength and power.
David was now in such
imminent danger of being taken and killed. If God therefore had not interfered,
he would have been destroyed. David appealed to the great Elohim for
help.
In the Old Testament times,
a name was not only identification, but an identity as well. Many times a
special meaning was attached to the name. Abraham means “father of a multitude”
(Genesis 17:5). Samuel means “Asked of God” (1 Samuel 1:20). Isaac means
“laughter” (Genesis 17:19).
There is also one called
Nabal, who insulted David and would not provide food for David’s hungry men.
His name, as his beautiful wife, Abigail, explained to David means "fool”:
“For as his name is, so is he; Nabal is his name, and folly is with him"
(1 Samuel 25:25). Nabal lived up to his name as a fool.
Throughout Scripture, God
reveals Himself to us through His many names. Through those names, we get a
better understanding who God really is. The meanings behind God's names reveal
the central personality and nature of the One who bears them.
Now the question: Who is God to you? Is He your Most
High God, the Almighty God, All sufficient One, Lord and Master, the Everlasting
God, and the Lord Who Will Provide? Is He your Father who is in heaven?
(Matthew 6:9).
When we pray, we utter these words: “Hallowed be
thy name” (Matthew 6:9). Do you know what you are saying when you hallowed
the name of God?
When we say “Hallowed be thy name”, we are
acknowledging the holiness of God. When we pray this line we are recognising
the nature of God as holy and distinct from us. We pray that God’s name would
be revered and honoured as holy everywhere, especially by the person who is
saying the prayer. This will lead us to examine our behaviour when we talk to
God. Hence, “Hallowed be thy name” is not a request that God be made
holy, but that we will be able to reflect His holiness in the way we pray and
the way we live. It leads us to honour and revere His holy name.
What is God’s name to you? It will be shown in the way
you live, worship, and pray. May we always reverend the name of God. “He
sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name” (Psalm 111:9).
Jimmy Lau
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