Editor’s Note: This is part one of a four-part article. Find part two here, part three here and part four here.
For many of us who love the Scriptures, one of our favorite biblical characters is the first king of Israel, David. In Hebrew, we call King David Dovid Melech. The reason many of us are drawn to him may be that we see that he was a man, a human being—just like us.
David had both strengths and weaknesses. We see, for example, some of the sins he committed with Bathsheba, even putting her husband in the front lines on the battlefield to be killed in order to take his wife. There were some real challenges in David’s life that make us realize he was an imperfect human being. Yes, he fell at times in his walk with the Lord, just as we sometimes do—but we also see Dovid Melech’s greatness.
One of the things that David said to the LORD that really impacts me is this: “Your gentleness makes me great” (Ps. 18:35b, NASB).
I know this resonates with some of you as well, and that like me, you are deeply touched by these words. David knew it was not his own righteousness that made him great. David realized his greatness came from the LORD’s gentleness towards him. Even when David fell, Father God never forsook him. And as any loving father would, He disciplined him; He corrected him. David ended up suffering for his sin, but God’s lovingkindness towards him was constant.
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Beloved, it was God’s gentleness and faithfulness upon David that caused him to become so special.
David’s response to God’s love for him was: “I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth” (Ps. 34:1).
Here is the origination of the word “LORD” in the Bible: Whenever we see in the Tanakh (Old Testament) the letters L-O-R-D, all letters capitalized, the English translators are substituting this all-cap LORD for God’s personal name, Yahweh. Yahweh is composed of the Hebrew letters Yud Hei Vav Hei.
Traditional Jews will not say Yahweh because they believe it is so holy it should not be spoken. However, God’s personal name Yahweh is used approximately 7,000 times in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament).
For example, in the book of Exodus, called in Hebrew Shemot, God said to Moses: “I am the LORD (Yahweh); and I appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as God Almighty, but by My name, LORD (Yahweh), I did not make Myself known to them” (Ex. 6:2-3).
Consider that in Psalm 34:1 David is calling upon Yahweh (LORD) and praising Him using His personal name. He is not just addressing God with an impersonal LORD; he is calling Him by His name. “I will bless Yahweh” is what the original Hebrew text says. You see, “Lord” or “God” are titles, but Yahweh is a person.
“I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth” (Ps. 34:1). Notice that David did not say, “I will bless Yahweh when I feel like it.” No, he said, “I will bless the LORD at all times” and “His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” It is a choice. It is a matter of the will.
I remember many years ago having to go to wrestling practice every day when I was competing. I did not always feel like going to practice because of how hard the workout was. I was sweating and exerting all my effort. I could barely catch my breath. I did not always feel like going, but it was a decision of my will to go—because of what I wanted to accomplish. It was a matter of choice.
In the same way, we make a decision to bless and praise the LORD because it is the right thing to do, not because we feel like it, but because He is God! Our destiny is to be united with Him. We have to transcend living by our feelings and become solid in Him. I want to be like David by blessing and praising the LORD continually and constantly. Don’t you?
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Rabbi Kirt Schneider hosts the impactful television program “Discovering The Jewish Jesus,” which is available in more than 200 million homes in the United States and nearly 200 nations worldwide. In 2021 he began broadcasting on radio and now airs across America. Rabbi Schneider imparts revelation of Jesus’ Jewish heritage and His fulfillment of Messianic prophecy. Questions of how the Old and New Testaments tie together and how Yeshua completes the unfolding plan of The Almighty Yahweh are answered with exceptional clarity. www.discoveringthejewishjesus.com/about-2/rabbi-schneider/. His new book, “Revelation Decoded,” releases in January 2025. Pre-order a copy at this link.
Abby Trivett 
Phil Hotsenpiller 
Stephen Strang 
