Over time weโve arbitrarily added an โaโ and an โeโ in there to get YaHWeH, presumably because we have a preference for vowels. But scholars and rabis have noted that the letters YHWH represent breathing sounds, or aspirated consonants. When pronounced without intervening vowels, it actually sounds like breathing. YH (inhale): WH (exhale).
So a babyโs first cry, his first breath, speaks the name of God. A deep sigh calls His name โ or a groan or gasp that is too heavy for mere words. Even an atheist would speak His name unaware that their very breathe is giving constant acknowledgment to God. Likewise, a person leaves this earth with their last breath, when Godโs name is no longer filing their lungs.
So when I canโt utter anything else, is my cry calling out His name?
Being alive means I speak His name constantly. Is it heard the loudest when Iโm the quietest?
In sadness, we breathe heavy sighs. In joy, our lungs feel almost like they will burst. In fear we hold our breath and have to be told to breathe slowly to help us calm down. When weโre about to do something hard, we take a deep breath to find our courage.
When I think about it, breathing is giving him praise. Even in the hardest moments!
This is so beautiful and fills me with emotion every time I grasp the thought. God chose to give himself a name that we canโt help but speak every moment weโre alive. All of us, always, everywhere. Waking, sleeping, breathing, with the name of God on our lips. (Psalms 150:6)
Author: Unknown
Illustration credit: Scott Erickson
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