What does it mean to "know My name" in Psalm 91:14? Context of Psalm 91:14 • Psalm 91 celebrates the Lord as refuge, fortress, and deliverer for those who abide in Him. • Verse 14 shifts to God’s own voice: “Because he loves Me, I will deliver him; because he knows My name, I will protect him.” • Two conditions—love and knowledge of God’s name—trigger two promises—deliverance and protection. Understanding “Know My Name” To “know” (Hebrew: יָדַע yāḏaʿ) carries rich layers: • Beyond mere awareness, it denotes intimate relationship, personal acquaintance, and lived experience. • “My name” represents God’s revealed character, authority, and covenant faithfulness (Exodus 3:13-15). Therefore, “knowing My name” means: 1. Recognizing and embracing who God truly is—holy, compassionate, sovereign. 2. Trusting His character so fully that one confidently calls on Him (Psalm 9:10). 3. Living in covenant loyalty that aligns heart, mind, and behavior with His revealed will (1 John 2:3-5). Biblical Examples of Knowing God’s Name • Moses: “You have found favor in My sight, and I know you by name.” (Exodus 33:17) – mutual relational knowledge. • Samuel: “Samuel did not yet know the LORD” (1 Samuel 3:7) until God’s word was heard and obeyed. • David: “Those who know Your name trust in You” (Psalm 9:10) – knowledge expressed as trust. • Jesus: “This is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” (John 17:3) – fulfilled in the New Covenant. Practical Implications for Believers Today • Cultivate relational knowledge through Scripture meditation, obedient living, and continual reliance on God’s character. • Invoke His name in prayer with reverence and assurance, standing on promises of protection (Proverbs 18:10). • Anchor identity in Christ, in whom the fullness of God’s name is revealed (Colossians 2:9-10). • Expect God’s rescue, not as a presumption, but as the rightful fruit of genuine love and experiential knowledge (Philippians 3:8-10). Key Takeaways • “Knowing My name” equals intimate, covenantal, experiential knowledge of God’s character. • It produces unwavering trust, heartfelt obedience, and confident prayer. • God responds with deliverance and protection to those who both love Him and truly know His name. |
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