What words would describe me? If one would ask acquaintances and close friends about who I am, they would have differing ways of explaining me. Professional associates would have divergent opinions. Also, there is my family with even more depictions. The adjectives used may be accurate and some not. It depends on the person’s experiences with me.

In a similar way, people describe Yahweh. Our experiences color how we define others. If we took a random poll of people and asked what words describe Yahweh to you, we would undoubtedly have quite a varying list. One way we are known is by our attributes.

Yahweh is the name of the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. His name is used approximately 6,000 times in the Old Testament. There are hundreds of adjectives and circumstances the Scriptures contain which define His essence. To know an individual, we need to understand the person’s character. The Scriptures teach us about Yahweh’s character and the God Almighty He is. In the following verse, “rock,” “faithful,” and “righteous” are descriptors.

Deuteronomy 32:4. The Rock! His work is perfect, for all His ways are just; a God of faithfulness and without injustice, righteous and just is He

1 Samuel 2:2. There is no one holy like the LORD, indeed, there is no one besides You, nor is there any rock like our God.

When I think of Yahweh being my rock, I think about an experience at Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. Standing on the edge of a huge precipice that was at least 80 feet above the Atlantic Ocean, I felt safe as I watched enormous waves crash intensely below. The rock was a sure foundation and would not crumble. Yahweh is our rock. He is sure, stable, and not moved.

Yahweh is also described as our rock of salvation.

2 Samuel 22:47. The LORD lives, and blessed be my rock; and exalted be my God, the rock of my salvation,

As certain as we are that the granite rock beneath us will not become quicksand, we can be certain of the description that Yahweh is indeed our rock of salvation. This quality gives us understanding of how absolutely set we can be that He has prepared eternal life for us (Deut. 32:15; Ps.18:46; Ps. 62:7; Ps 18:31). Deuteronomy 32:4 goes on to remark that Yahweh is faithful. Centuries later, Paul states the same thought, Yahweh is faithful. Yahweh’s faithfulness to His people Israel and to the church today is evident all the way through the Scriptures.

1 Corinthians 1:9. God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

We try at times to be faithful, and sometimes we are, and sometimes we fall short. If we are faithful, we would be one of those who is counted on in the tough times; who comes through when no one else shows up; and finishes what we start. Yahweh is faithful all the time. The Old Testament gives us a clear view of His faithfulness to a faithless and idolatrous Israel. He made covenants and stands by His word. In the New Testament, He showed faithfulness by completing part of His plan of salvation by sending His Son to die for our sins and redeem us. Even as we are sinners, Yahweh has been faithful to call us to Himself through Jesus Christ. He is faithful to judge us with righteousness.

Scriptures tell us Yahweh judges the world (Deut. 32:4). We will be judged by righteousness at the end times when Jesus the Messiah returns. By guarding justice and righteousness in our own lives, Yahweh’s salvation will come to pass (Ps. 7:11; Ps. 50:6; Ps. 58:11; Ps 116:5; Is. 45:21; Rom. 1:17).

Isaiah 56:1. This is what the LORD says: “Guard justice and do righteousness, for My salvation is about to come and My righteousness to be revealed.

Not only is Yahweh righteous, but with His righteousness are grace and compassion. Psalm 116:5 describes Yahweh as gracious and righteous, and also compassionate as does the book of Numbers.

Numbers 14:18. The LORD is slow to anger and abundant in mercy, forgiving wrongdoing and violation of His Law; but He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, inflicting the punishment of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generations.

We would all prefer to be judged by a righteous judge. We would be treated with loving kindness while being given the punishment that meets the sin. It is best to live righteously so that this is not a problem for us. So far, the Scriptures teach us that Yahweh is a faithful God who will judge us with righteousness and compassion.

Other attributes recorded in the Old and New Testaments are:

Yahweh is our refuge and stronghold – A refuge or stronghold is a place of protection, a shelter from harm. Joel 3:16; Ps. 9:9; Is. 25:4

Yahweh is Creator of heaven and earth – All heaven and earth belong to the One who created it. Gen. 14:9; Gen. 14:22

Yahweh is my helper – When we are in need, Yahweh comes to our aid. Ps. 54:4; Ps. 118:7; Heb. 13:6

Yahweh is the only God, living and true – Yahweh is our living God, not a manmade idol of stone or wood. He is the only God and only living and true God. Jude 1:25;
1 Thess. 1:9

Yahweh is awesome – Being awesome is breathtaking and amazing.

Exodus 15:11. Who is like You among the gods, LORD? Who is like You, majestic in holiness, awesome in praises, working wonders?

Deuteronomy 7:21. You are not to be terrified of them, because the LORD your God is in your midst, a great and awesome God.

Deuteronomy 10:17. For the LORD your God is the God of gods and the Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who does not show partiality, nor take
a bribe.

Daniel 9:4. I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed, and said, “Oh, Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and faithfulness for those who love Him and keep His commandments…

Yahweh is love – 1 John 4:8.

The Scriptures are a record of His love from the first words to the last. The love of Yahweh is shown to us in the sacrifice of His Son for our sins so that we have eternal life.

If you are not aware of the myriad of qualities that Yahweh possesses, take time to study the Scriptures and keep a notebook handy to jot them down. You may not have not experienced attributes of Yahweh in your life. If not, take time to meditate upon what Yahweh is like, and look for these blessings in your life.

Yahweh is majestic, Almighty, my Comforter, and Provider. To Him be the glory and dominion. As I stood high above the mighty Atlantic Ocean on a cliff that has withstood centuries of constant beatings of the waves and did not move anywhere, I thought of Yahweh as my Rock, my sure foundation for salvation.

Jude 1:25. to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority before all time and now and forever. Amen.