Would you like to learn what the names of God are in Psalm 23 and their meanings? Here we will show you the names of Jehovah as revealed in Psalm 23.
We all know and love the 23rd Psalm. But did you know that the psalm reveals 11 names of God? This is probably something you haven’t seen before. We will identify the names in Psalm 23, but first let us understand the many compound names of God found in the Old Testament.
Compound names begin with the name Jehovah or El.
Jehovah is the anglicized form of Jehovah. It is a pronunciation of God’s covenant name YHVH, which is also pronounced Yahweh.
In the original Hebrew, this name translates as “ I am who I am ” or “ I will be who I will be ” in the original Hebrew. The name He translates as God. Descriptive Hebrew words are added to Jehovah or El to create a compound name that reveals God’s work in our lives or gives insight into His nature and character. The compound names of God are very helpful in understanding many of God’s attributes.
Compound names of God with a descriptive word
- Jehovah -Jireh – The Lord will take care of it – Genesis 22:14
- Jehovah -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 -Nissi – The Lord our banner – Exodus 17:15
- Jehovah -shalom – The Lord gives peace – Judges 6:24
- Jehovah -tsidkeneau – Jehovah (YAHWEH) our righteousness – Jeremiah 23:6
- Jehovah -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 -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 -InKaddesh – The Lord Who Sanctifies – Leviticus 20:7-8 , Lev 21:15 , Lev 21:23 , Lev 22:9 , Lev 22:16
Names of God compounded with Him + a descriptive word
- El-Shaddai – The Almighty God – Genesis 17:1, Genesis 28:3 , 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
What is a remez? In Jewish hermeneutics (scriptural interpretation), a remez is a hidden message or deeper meaning that lies below the surface or behind the words. You can read about a Remez in Revelation 7 and one in Genesis 5.
Now let’s read Psalm 23 and 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 of Jehovah (Yahweh) in Psalm 23
- Vs. 1 The LORD is my shepherd :
- [He is Jehovah -Raah — The Lord, my Shepherd!]
- I will lack nothing.
- [He is Jehovah -Jireh — The Lord, my Provider!]
- Vs. 2 In green pastures makes me rest; Beside the waters of rest leads me.
- [He is Jehovah-Shalom — The Lord, my Peace!]
- Vs. 3 He restores my soul
- [He is Jehovah-Rophe — The Lord, my Healer!]:
- He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
- [It is Jehovah-Tsidkeneau, the Lord of justice!]
- Vs. 4 Yes, even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
- [He is Jehovah -Shama – The Lord is present!]
- Your rod and your staff will give me breath.
- [He is Jehovah-Ezer – The Lord, my help!]
- Vs. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies
- [He is Jehovah -Nissi: The Lord, my banner of victory!]
- You anoint my head with oil;
- [He is Jehovah-InKaddesh – The Lord, my Holiness, my Sanctification!]
- My cup is overflowing.
- [He is Jehovah -Manna — The Lord is my portion!]
- Vs. 6 Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
- [He is Jehovah Cheleq, the Lord my inheritance!]
The Names of God Reflected in Psalm 23 Explained
The Old Testament gives us the many names of God, and each of them has its own meaning. But do 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:
- means “The Lord will provide” ( Genesis 22:14 ).
The name literally means ” The Lord Who Sees ” or ” The Lord Who Will See to It. “ When we have a personal or special need, we long for the One who will provide for us.
Jehovah-Jireh means the Lord who will see to it that all my needs and yours are met.
Jehovah-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 could also meet our needs at the right time. The name Jehovah -Jireh assures us that our Heavenly Father can meet any need we have.
2. Jehovah – Shalom
- means “The Lord is peace” ( Judges 6:24 ).
When Gideon thought that 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 Shalom ” ( Judges 6:22-24 ).
The Hebrew word “ shalom,” translated as “ peace,” doesn’t just speak of the absence of noise, strife, or conflict; It 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 major mental disorders are related in some way to anxiety. In fact, people who suffer from 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-Shalom, and He will keep you in perfect peace ( Isaiah 26:3 )?
3. Jehovah – Rapha
- means “The Lord who heals” ( Exodus 15:26 ).
It was in the wanderings of the Israelites in the desert that God first revealed His name as Jehovah -Rapha. After crossing the Red Sea, Moses led them to 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 Mara but could not drink them because it was bitter. So they complained against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?” So Moses cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a tree, which when he threw it 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 Mara so that the Israelites could drink, he could also heal us of any disease. When we are weak, Jehovah -Rapha will renew our strength, just as he did with David ( Psalm 23:3 NLT ).
Living in a chaotic and stressful world, the name Jehovah -Rapha speaks to us and our current needs. Yes, we are faced with new problems every day many times our body just wants to give in 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.
4. Jehovah – Tsidkenu
- it 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 reign and judge.
To call the Lord Jehovah -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 applies not only to the Father but also to Jesus. He is our Jehovah -Tsidkenu; He covers us with His righteousness that enables us to stand in his presence (2 Corinthians 5:21).
The Lord guided David along the paths of justice during his reign as king, and he 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 – Shammah
- 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 in the Lord, obey him and worship in his Temple. And the city of Jerusalem will be given the name Jehovah -Sama to indicate that the glory of the Lord, which had once departed, had returned.
In 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 – Nissi
- means “The Lord is my banner” (Exodus 17:15).
Only once does the name Jehovah-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-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 the Amalekites won every time he lowered his hands.
The revelation of the name Jehovah-Nissi has to do with war, and this war involved God’s own. Christians today are involved in war; 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 – M’kaddesh (or Jehovah – Mekoddishkem)
- means “The Lord who sanctifies you” or “The Lord who sanctifies you” ( Leviticus 20:8 ).
The name Jehovah -M’kaddesh is used seven times in three chapters of Leviticus, the book of life that explains how people who have already been redeemed should walk and worship. God wanted the Israelites to consecrate themselves and be holy (Leviticus 20:7).
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 enables them to live holy and sanctified lives.
conclusion
We learn in the Bible that names serve a variety of functions. Interestingly, God often changed people’s names so that he could use them more effectively for his own purpose. We also learn that God has various names, some of which are reflected in the content of Psalm 23.
But why is it important for us to know the names of God and their meanings? Knowing the meaning of each of the names Jehovah uses for himself is important because they reveal an aspect of his character to help us know him better.
