Love: The Name of God

Does it matter what name you use for God? What name do you use and how does it affect how you view God? In the Hebrew Scriptures, when we read them, Yahweh is translated as the LORD. So we go from a word that means I am who I am, I will be who I will be, this name becomes a political term, a class term designating God as LORD. I have been wondering about this question for the last couple of weeks. In my prayer practice, I have been using the book Psalms for Praying by Nan Merrill. I have been stopped in my reading because of the turn of phrase she will use to speak of God or name God. Merrill has made the decision to use the word Love, Beloved, and You for the most part. How does your perception of God change when you replace the names you use with Love?  Read these two versions of Psalm 117.   

Praise the Lord, all you nations!
   Extol him, all you peoples!
For great is his steadfast love towards us,
   and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.
Praise the Lord!

            Psalm 117, NRSV

Praise the Most Merciful, all nations!
   Extol the Holy One, all people!
For great is the Blessed One’s Love towards us,
   The Beloved’s faithfulness endures forever.
Praise be to the Heart of all hearts!

               Psalm 117, Psalms for Praying, Merrill

What did you notice? Was you first reaction, why are they obsessed with getting rid of he, him, his, Lord. We know God isn’t gendered; do we have to change what is in the version of the Bible I use? Did a line get stuck in your head? (Praise be to the Heart of all hearts!). Did you like one better than the other?

While I have been reading Merrill, her turn of phrase about God just keeps making me pause. The words of love have become the mantra, the breath prayer I say as I rest in the stillness of God.

For their delight is in the Spirit of Love, and in Love’s heart they will dwell day and night. Psalm 1

You live in my Heart even as I dwell in yours. Psalm 2

Rise up, Love! Set me free! For through your guidance, my fears will fade into love. Psalm 3

Face your fears with forgiveness, and trust in Love. Psalm 4

For You are love and You delight in goodness; all that is of love walks with You. Psalm 5

Love has heard my prayer, and hastens to answer my call. Psalm 6

Even while reading her psalms of lament, of pain, of longing, the idea that it is Love that hears us, love that we turn to, love that forgives us, strikes a chord in my heart; makes me feel a sense of hope, a sense of peace, a sense of wonder. What would happen, if during this month, when we have our Hallmark celebration to love, in your devotional reading you used the word Love to replace the words used for God. If in your pray, instead of God or Father you said love. Would you begin to see the world a little differently? Would you begin to experience God differently? Does it help to create a lightness of being, an openness to the Spirit within you?