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Psalms
Yahweh
1. Yahweh is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible and is the most frequently used name to refer to God in the Old Testament. The Psalms, a collection of 150 poetic songs and prayers, contain numerous references to Yahweh and his character.
2. Many psalms praise Yahweh as the creator of the universe and the one who sustains it. For example, Psalm 104 describes Yahweh as the one who "stretches out the heavens like a tent" and "sets the earth on its foundations." Other psalms also speak of Yahweh's role in providing for His creation, such as Psalm 145, which says that Yahweh "opens his hand and satisfies the desire of every living thing."
3. The Psalms also emphasize Yahweh's faithfulness to His covenant with His people. Several psalms recall how Yahweh delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt and led them through the wilderness to the promised land. For instance, Psalm 105 recounts the story of the Exodus and praises Yahweh for remembering His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
4. The Psalms depict Yahweh as both a judge and a redeemer. On the one hand, many psalms call on Yahweh to judge the wicked and deliver justice. For example, Psalm 7 asks Yahweh to "rise up against the rage of my enemies" and "judge me according to my righteousness." On the other hand, other psalms speak of Yahweh's mercy and redemption. Psalm 103 declares that Yahweh "is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love" and that He "redeems your life from the pit."
5. Finally, several psalms portray Yahweh as both a shepherd and a king. Psalm 23 famously begins, "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want," and goes on to describe how Yahweh leads and protects His people. Other psalms, such as Psalm 47, celebrate Yahweh's reign as king over all the earth and call on all nations to worship Him.
6. In summary, Yahweh's story in Psalms emphasizes His role as creator, covenant keeper, judge, redeemer, shepherd, and king. The Psalms offer a rich portrait of Yahweh's character and invite readers to praise and trust Him.
