(REFLECTIONS ON Psalm 124:1-8)

8 Our help is in the name of the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.

Interestingly, the psalmist doesn’t write, our help is in the Lord, but rather, it is in the name of the Lord. What is the difference between in the Lord, and in the name of the Lord?

To trust in the Lord emphasizes God Himself, His presence, being, and nearness. But in the name of the Lord goes even further than that. In Scripture, a name is not just a label, but it represents the fullness of who God is revealed to be. In the name of the Lord is His character, authority, reputation, promises, and faithfulness.

For us to trust in the Lord is to trust in God, but for us to trust in the name of the Lord is to trust in who God has revealed Himself to be. He is not just God, but our God, including all the experiences, encounters, and the deep relationship that we have with Him.

His name is love, faithfulness, unchanging and unending. And we know His name through Jesus Christ. In Jesus Christ, we are reminded of our adoption as sons and daughters of God through Him, and the great sacrifice on the cross giving us not only a relationship with God, but to have name in Him.

When we speak of Jesus Christ in our lives, we speak about relationship and identity in God. We also speak of the forgiveness of sins, the breaking down of barriers, so that we can have an intimate experience and fellowship with our Lord.

The psalmist then goes one step further, and speaks to not only of an intimate experience and fellowship, but that the Lord is on our side. And because the Lord is on our side, we can overcome, do not need to be afraid, and can stand firm in this wild world.

Our help is in the name of the Lord, Jesus Christ, and He is on our side and so we are thankful, gracious, and bless His holy name in worship.

Pastor Michael Lu
Enduring Word Bible Commentary: Psalm 124