Seek Yahweh: Praise Yah by Rev. John Cortright The name Yah is a contracted form of the name of God, Yahweh, consisting of the first two letters of the name (hy). The first use of this contraction occurs after the children of Israel crossed the Red Sea when Moses sang the first recorded song in Scripture. Exodus 15:2 The LORD [Yah] is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation; This is my God, and I will praise Him; My father's God, and I will extol Him. This abbreviated form of the name of God occurs 45 times, most often is used in song, and from this first use in Exodus, emphasizes God s salvation. It is found primarily in the book of Psalms, but also twice in Exodus (Ex 15:2; 17:16), and four times in the book of Isaiah (Is 12:2; 26:4; and 38:11-twice). Most English translations treat this name of God the same as the Tetragrammaton. They translate it as LORD in all caps. In a one instance, the King James Version translates this as JAH (Ps 68:4). Twice, in the book of Isaiah (Is 12:2; 26:4), the name Yah occurs along with the four letter Hebrew name of God, hwhy (Yahweh). Because the
name Yahweh is also substituted in English with the generic term LORD, this presents a difficulty for translators. Different English versions have chosen a variety of ways to handle these usages in Isaiah: Isaiah 12:2b King James Version For the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; He also is become my salvation Isaiah 12:2b New American Standard Version For the LORD GOD is my strength and song. And He has become my salvation Isaiah 12:2b New International Version The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song: he has become my salvation. Isaiah 12:2b 1901 American Standard Version For Jehovah, even Jehovah, is my strength and song: and he is become my salvation. Isaiah 12:2b The New Jerusalem Bible For Yahweh is my strength and my song, he has been my salvation Isaiah 12:2b The Hebrew-English Tanakh For Yah the LORD is my strength and might, And He has been my deliverance
It is interesting to note that although the Jewish tradition restricts the usage of the name Yahweh, here, in this unique use of the contracted form in Isaiah, the name Yah is allowed in the translation of the Hebrew Tanakh. The use of Yah is unique to poetry and songs of praise. Yahweh is worthy to be praised! Over half of the usages of Yah in the book of Psalms are preceded by the Hebrew word halal ( llh ). This word means to praise. The admonition is praise Yah! and is most often translated into English as praise the LORD. However, when this phrase occurs in the Jewish Tanakh, the translators combined these words together and use the well known English rendering of hallelujah. The Psalms close out with these glorious declarations. Translations from The Hebrew-English Tanakh Psalm 146:10 The LORD shall reign forever, your God O Zion, for all generations. Hallelujah. Psalm 147:1 Hallelujah. It is good to chant hymns to our God; it is pleasant to sing glorious praise. Psalm 148:1 Hallelujah. Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise Him on high
Psalm 149:1 Hallelujah. Sing to the LORD a new song, His praises in the congregation of the faithful. Psalm 150:1 Hallelujah. Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in the sky, His stronghold. Psalm 150:6 Let all that breathes praise the LORD. Hallelujah. The Hebrew of this phrase is hy wllh. This phrase has a Greek equivalent. These words transliterated from the Hebrew language form the Greek word alleluia (alleluia). This word means to praise Yah, or praise Yahweh! Although the name of God, Yahweh, cannot be found in any New Testament manuscripts, this declaration to praise Yah is proclaimed in the end, in the very last book of the Bible! The first use of Yah occurred with God s miraculous salvation for His people when they crossed the Red Sea. The name Yah was sung and declared by Moses. In the end, after the seven final plagues of God s wrath are poured out on the kingdoms of this world, once again the name of God will be declared! Revelation 19:1-6
After these things I heard something like a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God; BECAUSE HIS JUDGMENTS ARE TRUE AND RIGHTEOUS; for He has judged the great harlot who was corrupting the earth with her immorality, and HE HAS AVENGED THE BLOOD OF HIS BOND-SERVANTS ON HER." And a second time they said, "Hallelujah! HER SMOKE RISES UP FOREVER AND EVER." And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sits on the throne saying, "Amen. Hallelujah!" And a voice came from the throne, saying, "Give praise to our God, all you His bondservants, you who fear Him, the small and the great." Then I heard something like the voice of a great multitude and like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, saying, "Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns. Praise Yah! Praise Yahweh!!