Name of God in liturgy?

[nick817]

Catholic apologist have been quick to point out to Jehovahs witness that Jehovah is a false translation of the real name of God, Yahwey. This is of course true; however, if as the Church says Yahwey is the proper name of God why is it never heard in the liturgy or prayers of the Church. Lex orandi, lex credendi

 

[PhilotheaZ]

The following paragraphs from the Catechism of the Catholic Church may help:

446 In the Greek translation of the Old Testament, the ineffable Hebrew name YHWH, by which God revealed himself to Moses, is rendered as Kyrios, “Lord”. From then on, “Lord” becomes the more usual name by which to indicate the divinity of Israel’s God. The New Testament uses this full sense of the title “Lord” both for the Father and — what is new — for Jesus, who is thereby recognized as God Himself.

2666 But the one name that contains everything is the one that the Son of God received in his incarnation: JESUS. The divine name may not be spoken by human lips, but by assuming our humanity The Word of God hands it over to us and we can invoke it: “Jesus,” “YHWH saves.” The name “Jesus” contains all: God and man and the whole economy of creation and salvation. To pray “Jesus” is to invoke him and to call him within us. His name is the only one that contains the presence it signifies. Jesus is the Risen One, and whoever invokes the name of Jesus is welcoming the Son of God who loved him and who gave himself up for him.

 

[John_Lilburne]

In the 2001 Instruction Liturgiam Authenticam, about translation of the liturgical books, it has in n. 41:
“c) in accordance with immemorial tradition, which indeed is already evident in the abovementioned “Septuagint” version, the name of almighty God expressed by the Hebrew tetragrammaton (YHWH) and rendered in Latin by the word Dominus, is to be rendered into any given vernacular by a word equivalent in meaning.”

So in Australia we use a lectionary based on the Jerusalem Bible. But where the Jerusalem Bible has the word “Yahweh” in the Lectionary it has “Lord” instead.

But surprisingly a widely used Australian hymn book “Catholic Worship Book” (published in 1985 with commendations by the Archbishops of Australia) included a hymn with the first line “I will be Yahweh who walks with you …”. (The hymn is called “Strong and Constant” by Frank Anderson.)

 

[puzzleannie]

In the 2001 Instruction Liturgiam Authenticam, about translation of the liturgical books, it has in n. 41:.)

I have actually heard this instruction used as the reason why a particular priest will not allow a lot of those Gather or OCP hymns that use the word Yahweh to be sung, just never knew the source or background, thanks.
we can’t sing Yahweh I know you are near, or, the one with the refrain Yahweh the faithful one etc.

 

[mozier]

I know that I am wrong in saying this, but I cannot help it. The name Yahweh hits me as really 1970’s, when it was used too much. I cannot help but associate it with tie dye, long sideburns, and polyester hanners hanging over a new altar made of driftwood.

From the St. Louis Jesuits to our parish “liturgical and music directors,” I really got tired of it used all the time. I am glad to see the name of God go back to Lord, God, Father, and the like.

 

[Karl_M]

“Yahweh” is used quite a bit in these parts. It makes for a rather nice substitute for “he,” “his,” and “Father,” and “Son.” Of course, some of the more traditional priests still like that old-fashioned “she.”

 

[nick817]

The following paragraphs from the Catechism of the Catholic Church may help:

446 In the Greek translation of the Old Testament, the ineffable Hebrew name YHWH, by which God revealed himself to Moses, is rendered as Kyrios, “Lord”. From then on, “Lord” becomes the more usual name by which to indicate the divinity of Israel’s God. The New Testament uses this full sense of the title “Lord” both for the Father and — what is new — for Jesus, who is thereby recognized as God Himself.

2666 But the one name that contains everything is the one that the Son of God received in his incarnation: JESUS. The divine name may not be spoken by human lips, but by assuming our humanity The Word of God hands it over to us and we can invoke it: “Jesus,” “YHWH saves.” The name “Jesus” contains all: God and man and the whole economy of creation and salvation. To pray “Jesus” is to invoke him and to call him within us. His name is the only one that contains the presence it signifies. Jesus is the Risen One, and whoever invokes the name of Jesus is welcoming the Son of God who loved him and who gave himself up for him.