What’s In A Name?

This psalm is set in the time when David was escaping from Saul and was betrayed by the local people (1 Sam. 23:15–29). It is a prayer for rescue, asking God to act according to his name. In the Old Testament, God’s name referred to both his character and his presence. His name (the Lord or Yahweh, 6) was revealed when Moses was commissioned to free Israel from Egypt (Exod. 3:13-15). His character was revealed in the Exodus and remains the same, so he can be called upon with confidence. His name also speaks of his presence. He comes when his people call. David was confident that God would deliver him, and so he looked forward to offering praise and worship in thanksgiving.

As Christians we have a fuller revelation than had David and the other Old Testament saints. We pray in the name of Jesus (the Greek equivalent of Joshua, meaning “Yahweh is salvation”). Like David’s, our prayers are based on the promise of Jesus’ presence and the consistency of his character. We pray in faith, because God is faithful. In worship we express both gratitude and trust.

We also pray in the name of the one who identifies with our cries. In Mark’s Gospel we see Jesus unjustly persecuted by his enemies and betrayed or deserted by his friends. His consistent commitment to God’s purpose throughout his sufferings assures us that he responds equally consistently to our prayer today. The psalms were Jesus’ prayer book. He regularly prayed the psalms. As we shall see, he quoted from them on the cross. There was one difference between his words and this psalm: rather than pray for his enemies to be destroyed (5), he prayed for them to be forgiven (Luke 23:34; see Mark 11:25).

In whatever danger you may find yourself, call upon the name of Jesus.