When Moses stood before the burning bush and asked who he should say had sent him, God answered with His name: “I AM WHO I AM” (Exodus 3:14). In Hebrew, the personal name of God is written with four letters — YHWH — often spoken reverently as “the LORD.” It speaks of One who simply is: eternal, self-existent, ever-present.
Throughout Scripture, God reveals more of Himself through compound names, each one unveiling part of His character. He is YHWH-Yireh, the One who provides (Genesis 22:14). YHWH-Rapha, the One who heals (Exodus 15:26). YHWH-Shalom, our peace (Judges 6:24). YHWH-Ra'ah, the LORD our Shepherd (Psalm 23:1). YHWH-Tsidkenu, the LORD our righteousness (Jeremiah 23:6).
To know someone's name, in the Hebrew mind, is to know their character and their reputation — who they truly are. So when the psalmist writes that “those who know your name put their trust in you” (Psalm 9:10), he is saying something profound: the more we know who God really is, the more we are able to rest in Him.
And the wonder of the gospel is that this same God took on a name we could call upon for salvation: Yeshua, which means “the LORD saves.” The One who is the great I AM stepped into our story to rescue us. His name is salvation itself.
Take time to sit with the names of God. Let them teach you who He is — Provider, Healer, Peace, Shepherd, Righteousness, Savior — and watch your trust in Him grow deeper than your circumstances.
