[For those of you who have learned the Lord’s Prayer in King James English.]Hallowed be thy name
Luke 11:2
What does “Hallowed” mean anyway?
One little boy thought that God’s name was Harold, because he thought people were saying, “Harold be Your name.”
Hallowed is an old English word meaning “to make holy or sacred, to sanctify or consecrate, to venerate”. The combination Hallowed Even was used for Holy Night. So what is being said here?
- Who is it who makes God’s Name holy?
- And how is that done?
- How do we humans make God’s Name holy?
- Or is it God Himself who makes His Name holy?
Luke | Matthew |
May Your name be kept holy. | May Your name be kept holy. |
The Hebrew concept of the name is the essence of the person. The name stands for the person. The essential elements of their character and who they really are, the expression of the ‘being of the person’ who is named. The person’s name is also to a degree their reputation or their standing before others. It is also true that the “Name” in a Hebrew speaker’s mind, is inherently tied to the Tetragrammaton (YHWH). Involved in this prayer request is that God’s Holy name, the Name that is above all names, and so holy it ought not be mentioned, also ought not to be blasphemed. Does that only mean “not to be used as a swear word”? No, there is more to it than that. “May Your name be holy” is not a prayer that God would make His name any holier. He is totally and utterly holy. He cannot be any more holy than He is. No, it is a prayer by the one praying, asking that God’s name would be given the reverence and veneration that It deserves. That His name would not be blasphemed. By whom? By people we meet, but more essentially by us ourselves.
As it is written, “
GOD IS BLASPHEMED AMONG THE GENTILES BECAUSE OF YOU”.
Romans 2:24
This is likely a reference to
I became concerned about my holy name because my people dishonoured it among the nations wherever they went.
Isaiah 52:5
I will reveal the holiness of my great name, which has been dishonoured by the nations, the name that you have dishonoured among them. Then the nations will know that I am the LORD, because I will reveal my holiness among you as they watch’,” declares the Almighty LORD.
Ezek 36:21-23
When we pray the words, “Holy be Your Name” it is essentially we ourselves, who we ought to be reminded of the need to hold God’s name high. We are the bearers of His name when we carry the name Christian. So therefore, we must be careful not to bring dishonour to the Name that is above every name.
It reminds me of the song we sing “Jesus, We Enthrone You”. We sing that song as a worship song, little realizing the significance of it. Here we are, singing the song and singing about, “God building His Throne and His Kingdom” but He can only build His Kingdom through the people who do more than sing the song. We sing it as a worship song because it sounds good and is fitting for worship. And it is. But to make the concept work, we need to be submitting to His rule in our lives as we sing it. Likewise, we pray the part of the Lord’s Prayer, “Holy be Your Name” little realizing we might be dishonouring His Name or blaspheming it by our actions. In one sense, the words ask God to bring about a situation in which men will reverence and worship Him, instead of blaspheming Him. But the way that will happen is when His people shine forth His glory and give honour to His name by all that they do. Firstly, in the one praying the Lord’s Prayer themselves. We need to protect His reputation by keeping ourselves in harmony with His will.
A holy life will produce the deepest impression. Lighthouses blow no horns; they only shine.
D.L. Moody
After all is said and done, a lot more will have been said than done.
Ian Vail
Note in her journal: Finding a cool quote and writing it in your journal or saving it to your HP is not a substitute for Doing It.
Betsy Garmon
Your behaviour is what you believe; all the rest is just talk.
Ian Vail