Would you like to learn what are the names of Jehovah in psalm 23 and its meanings? Here we will show you the names of Jehovah (YAHWEH) as revealed in Psalm 23.
We all know and love Psalm 23. But did you know that the psalm reveals 11 names of God? This is likely something you haven’t seen before. We’ll identify the names in Psalm 23, but first let’s understand the many compound names for God found in the Old Testament.
Compound names begin with the name Jehovah (YAHWEH) or El. Jehovah (YAHWEH) is the anglicized form of Jehovah (YAHWEH). It is a pronunciation of the covenant name of God YHVH, which is also pronounced Yahweh.
This name translates as “I am who I am” either “I will be what I will be” in the original Hebrew. The name He translates as God. Descriptive Hebrew words are added to Jehovah (YAHWEH) or El to create a compound name that reveals God’s work in our lives or gives insight into his nature and character. Compound names of God are very helpful in understanding many of God’s attributes.
Here you can read about:
Compound names of Jehovah (YAHWEH) + a descriptive word
- Jehovah (YAHWEH)-jireh – The Lord will take care of it – Genesis 22:14
- Jehovah (YAHWEH)-rawfaw – The Lord who completes – Exodus 15:26; Jeremiah 33:6; 1 Kings 18:30; Job 5: 17,18; Psalms 103:3; Psalms 146:3
- Jehovah (YAHWEH)-nissi – The Lord our banner – Exodus 17:15
- Jehovah (YAHWEH)-shalom – The Lord gives peace – Judges 6:24
- Jehovah (YAHWEH)-tsidkeneau – Jehovah (YAHWEH) our righteousness – Jeremiah 23:6
- Jehovah (YAHWEH)-raah – The Lord my Shepherd – Psalm 23: 1 (shepherd); Ezekiel 34:11-15 (companion); Jeremiah 3:12-16 (shepherds); Judges 14:20 (friend); Exodus 33:11 (friend)
- Jehovah (YAHWEH)-Shama – The Lord is present – Ezekiel 48:35; Exodus 33:14; Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5; John 14: 16-17; Romans 8:9
- Jehovah (YAHWEH)-InKaddesh – The Lord who sanctifies – Leviticus 20:7-8, Lev 21:15, Lev 21:23, Lev 22:9, Lev 22:16
Names of Jehovah (YAHWEH) composed with Him + a descriptive word
- The Shaddai – The Almighty God – Genesis 17:1, , Genesis 35:11; Ruth 1: 20-21 ; Ruth 31 x in Job; Ezekiel 10:5
- el-elyon – The Most High God – Genesis 14:19, 22; Deuteronomy 32:8 ; Isaiah 14:14
- el-elyon – Possessor of Heaven and Earth, Part II – Genesis 14:19, 22; Deuteronomy 32:8 ; Isaiah 14:14, Daniel 3:26, 4:17; Psalm 56:2
- Elohim – Kurios -Matthew 22:44; Luke 19:31, 33, 34; Matthew 12:8; John 13:13; Matthew 6:24; Revelation 17:14
A reminder in Psalm 23
whatwhat is a remez? In Jewish hermeneutics (interpretation of Scripture), a remez is a hidden message or deeper meaning that lies below the surface or behind the words. You can read about a remez on Revelation 7 and one in Genesis 5.
Now let’s read the Psalm 23 and let us look for the 11 names of our great God hidden in this psalm. The names are revealed by his promises and his works and remind us of the ever-present love, peace, comfort, help and more of our God.
Other names for Jehovah (Yahweh) in Psalm 23
- vs 1 The Lord is My Shepherd:
- I will lack nothing.
- vs 2 In green pastures he makes me rest; Beside the waters of rest leads me.
- vs 3 He restores my soul
- :
- He guides me through paths of justice for his name’s sake.
- vs 4 Yes, even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you will be with me;
- Your rod and your staff will give me breath.
- vs 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies
- You anoint my head with oil;
- My cup is overflowing.
- vs 6 Surely good and mercy will follow me all the days of my life: and in the house of the LORD I will dwell forever.
The names of Jehovah (Yahweh) reflected in Psalm 23 explained
The Old Testament gives us the many names of God and each of them has its own meaning. But did you know that Psalm 23 reflects the compound names of Yahweh God (or Jehovah (YAHWEH) God), the covenant-making God of Israel? Let’s see each of the names of Jehovah (Yahweh) explained:
1. Jehovah (YAHWEH) – Jireh
- means “The Lord will provide” (Genesis 22:14).
The name literally means “the lord who sees” either “The Lord who will take care of it“. When we have a personal or special need, we yearn for the One who will provide for us. Jehovah (YAHWEH)-Jireh means the Lord who will see to it that all my needs and yours are met.
Jehovah (YAHWEH)-Jireh knows all our needs because He sees. If the Lord could meet Abraham’s need by providing a ram caught in the thicket that he offered instead of Isaac, he too can meet our needs at the right time. The name Jehovah (YAHWEH)-Jireh assures us that our Heavenly Father can meet any need we have.
two. Jehovah (YAHWEH) – Shalom
- means “The Lord is peace”Judges 6:24).
When Gideon thought he would die because the angel of the Lord visited him, God spoke to him and said: “Peace be with you; do not fear because you will not die”. This made such an impression on Gideon that he built an altar to the Lord and gave it the name “Jehovah (YAHWEH) Shalom” (Judges 6: 22-24).
The Hebrew word “shalom” translated as “peace” does not just speak of the absence of noise, contention or conflict; speaks of fullness, integrity, solidity and well-being.
One of the many problems we encounter today is the problem of anxiety. Medical experts say that most of the major mental disorders are related in some way to anxiety. In fact, people with chronic anxiety often end up physically ill.
True and supreme peace is found only in God, and this comes to us when we focus our lives on God and trust Him. Are you tired and troubled? Why don’t you put your trust in Jehovah (YAHWEH)-Shalom and He will keep you in perfect peace (Isaiah 26:3)?
3. Jehovah (YAHWEH) – Rapha
- means “The Lord who heals” (Exodus 15:26).
It was in the Israelites’ wanderings in the wilderness that God first revealed His name as Jehovah (YAHWEH)-Rapha. After crossing the Red Sea, Moses led them into the desert of Shur, where they spent three days without water (Exodus 15:22). Apparently, the Lord was testing his faith.
Finally, they came across the waters of Marah, but they could not drink them because they were bitter. So they complained against Moses, saying: “What shall we drink?” Then Moses cried out to the Lord and the Lord showed him a tree, which when he threw into the waters, the waters became sweet (Exodus 15: 23-25).
The Lord not only heals the waters, he also heals people. If the Lord could heal the waters of Marah so that the Israelites could drink, he can also heal us from any disease. When we are weak, Jehovah (YAHWEH)-Rapha will renew our strength, in the same way that he did with David (Psalm 23:3 NLT).
Living in a chaotic and stressful world, the name Jehovah (YAHWEH)-Rapha speaks to us and our current needs. Yes, we are faced with new problems every day that many times our body just wants to give up and give in.
But we can count on the Lord to heal and renew our strength. Jehovah (YAHWEH) is the Great Physician who not only heals the physical and emotional needs of his people; He also heals his spiritual needs.
Four. Jehovah (YAHWEH) – Tsidkenu
- means “The Lord is our righteousness” (Jeremiah 33:16).
When the kingdoms of Israel and Judah were taken captive, it would seem that God’s promises would never be fulfilled. However, God spoke through Jeremiah of the day when a righteous king would return to establish his righteous kingdom on earth, and to rule and judge.
To call the Lord Jehovah (YAHWEH)-Tsidkenu is to say that everything He does is just and that He is the source of all that is just and good. This name is applied not only to the Father but also to Jesus. He is our Jehovah (YAHWEH)-Tsidkenu; He covers us with his righteousness that allows us to stand in his presence (2 Corinthians 5:21).
The Lord guided David in the paths of justice during his reign as king and will do the same for us if we allow him to shepherd us. It is God’s desire that his children live a righteous and sanctified life.
5. Jehovah (YAHWEH) – Sama
- means “The Lord is there” (Ezekiel 48:35).
One of the purposes of the Millennial Kingdom is that God can fulfill his promises to his people. During this time, Israel will once again trust the Lord, obey him, and worship in his Temple. And the city of Jerusalem will be given the name Jehovah (YAHWEH)-Sama to indicate that the glory of the Lord, once gone, has returned.
In the Psalm 23, David relates that the Lord did not leave him in the dark valley. God stayed by his side and calmed his fears. In the same way, God promises believers that he will always be there for them; that he will never leave or forsake them (Hebrews 13:5).
6. Jehovah (YAHWEH) – Nissi
- means “The Lord is my banner” (Exodus 17:15).
Only once does the name Jehovah (YAHWEH)-Nissi appear in the Bible, in Exodus 17:15. After the Israelites defeated the Amalekites, a powerful and warlike group of people, Moses built an altar to the Lord and named it Jehovah (YAHWEH)-Nissi.
Moses recognized that the Lord was the banner of Israel under which they defeated the Amalekites. As long as Moses raised his hands, the Israelites won, but every time he lowered his hands, the Amalekites won.
The revelation of the name Jehovah (YAHWEH)-Nissi has to do with war, and this war involved God’s own. Today’s Christians are involved in warfare; they fight against the desires of the flesh (Galatians 5:17), against principalities and rulers of this dark world (Ephesians 6:11-12).
The great news is that the Lord, our banner, wants to give us victory. But we must maintain a healthy prayer life. We are engaged in a spiritual battle every day and the way to fight these battles is to pray at all times (1 Thessalonians 5:17). As a character in the movie “War Room” quotes, Christians must fight their battles on their knees.
7. Jehovah (YAHWEH) – M’kaddesh (or Jehovah (YAHWEH) – Mekoddishkem)
- means “The Lord Who Sanctifies You” or “The Lord Who Sanctifies You” (Leviticus 20:8).
The name Jehovah (YAHWEH)-M’kaddesh is used seven times in three chapters of Leviticus, the book of life that explains how a people who have already been redeemed are to walk and worship. God wanted the Israelites to consecrate themselves and be holy (Leviticus 20:7).
God’s requirement has not changed; Demand holiness. Although we cannot be holy in and of ourselves, our Jehovah (YAHWEH)-M’kaddesh will sanctify us daily as we live for Him.
The anointing oil symbolizes the presence of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer. The Holy Spirit not only empowers believers to live the victorious Christian life and equips them to be effective in their ministry, but also…