One of my earliest memories when I became intimately aware of the love and presence of Christ was the ancient Hebrew blessing, Baruch ha ba ha Schem Adonai (בָּרוּךְ הַבָּא בְּשֵׁם יְהוָה)? It's a phrase bursting with deep and intuitive meaning:
"Blessed be He who cometh in the Name of the LORD."
The original Hebrew text cuts right to the heart of it: "Blessed be He who cometh in the Name of Yahveh." This isn't just a greeting; it's a deep declaration of authority, identity, and divine purpose. It is a very personal statement, using the Personal Name of the Blesser Himself.
But who is it that comes in His Name?
Who is "He"?
Throughout history, only one Person has truly embodied and fulfilled this powerful prophetic utterance: Yah'shua! He is, indeed, Yahveh (YHVH) made manifest in human flesh!
Let's unpack this incredible truth by diving into one of the most Messianic passages in the Old Govenant: Psalm 118.
Psalm 118: A Prophecy Fulfilled in the Messiah
Psalm 118 is a song of thanksgiving and praise, often sung during Passover. But more than that, it's a spotlight on the coming Messiah and His incredible work of salvation. The pivotal verse, Psalm 118:26, becomes the very cry that welcomes our King:
"Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD."
This verse echoes with such force that it literally bursts forth from the crowds during Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, marking His public acceptance as the long-awaited Messiah!
Let's see how the New Testament captures this electrifying moment:
Matthew 21:9 (KJV): "And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest."
You'll find similar triumphant shouts in Mark 11:9-10 and Luke 19:38. The Greek word "Hosanna" (from the Hebrew hoshiana, הושיעה נא) originally means "Save, please!" or "Save us now!" But by Jesus' time, it had evolved into an eager acclamation of praise and welcome for a deliverer. The crowd wasn't just asking for salvation; they were proclaiming the arrival of their Savior!
Even more powerfully, Jesus Himself speaks of this prophecy's future fulfillment:
Matthew 23:39 (KJV): "For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord."
This solemn statement, part of Jesus' lament over Jerusalem, is a profound prophecy of His future return. It implies that Israel, as a nation, will not fully recognize Him as Messiah until they collectively declare this very cry. It points to a glorious future day of national repentance and revelation, all because of His finished work that makes such reconciliation possible.
Mark 11:9-10 (KJV): "And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest."
Mark's account highlights the crowd's clear understanding that Jesus was the rightful King, the heir to David's throne, through whom the promised Messianic Kingdom would finally break forth!
Deeper Dive: Who is This All About?
Before we rush to apply Psalm 118 to our own lives, let's pause and consider some key questions. Who is this Psalm really pointing to?
Who is this Psalm truly about?
Who is crying out in distress in the opening verses? (Consider Psalm 118:5: "I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place.")
Who is surrounded by nations? (See Psalm 118:10-12: "All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD will I destroy them.")
Who are these "nations," and why are they destroyed?
Who is the "Right Hand of the Lord"? (As in Psalm 118:16: "The right hand of the LORD is exalted: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.")
Who declares the works of the Lord? (From Psalm 118:17: "I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD.")
Who is the "Voice of rejoicing and Salvation in the tabernacle"? (Referencing Psalm 118:15: "The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous...")
Who is the tabernacle?
For whom are the "gates of righteousness" opened? (As in Psalm 118:19: "Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD:")
Who has become the "Corner Stone" that the builders rejected? (From Psalm 118:22: "The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.")
Whose prayer was heard by the Lord?
Who is good and only good?
The Grand Revelation: It's All About Jesus!
There is no squabble that this Psalm is, from start to finish, all about Jesus!
It's all about Yah (יה), the intimate, shortened form of God's unpronounceable, most sacred covenant Name, Yahveh (יהוה).
In Hebrew, we read from right to left. Yah (יה) is the concise form of Yahveh (יהוה). The ancient Hebrew pictographic meaning of יהוה itself is profound: Yod (י) represents a "hand" or "work"; Heh (ה) signifies "behold", “Grace” or "revelation"; Vav (ו) means a "nail" or "connection"; and Heh (ה) again. Together, this beautifully illustrates "Behold the hand, behold the nail" or "The Hand by Grace, Nailed by Grace" – a stunning foreshadowing of our Messiah!
You find shortened Yah (יה) echoing throughout the Hebrew text and Psalms (Psalm 68:4: "Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him.") and Isaiah. It’s also woven into the very names of God's prophets, signaling a deep connection to Him, for example:
Isaiah (YeshaYAHU or IsaYAH): Meaning "Yah has saved" or "Salvation of Yah."
Jeremiah (YirmeyAHU or JeremiYAH): Meaning "Yah will uplift" or "Yah has appointed."
Zephaniah (TzefanYAH): Meaning "Yah has treasured" or "Yah has hidden."
Nehemiah (NechemYAH): Meaning "Yah comforts."
When you shout HalleluYAH (הַלְלוּיָהּ), you are literally declaring, "Praise Yah!" – you are praising the very essence of God's revealed Name!
But there's only One who perfectly manifested as Yahveh, and therefore, truly came in His Name. That Person is Jesus, whose Hebrew name is Yah'shua (יהושע). Yah'shua (יהושע) means "Yah is Salvation" or "Yah Who Saves."
It’s an undeniable truth: Yah'shua (יהושע) is Yahveh (יהוה)! He is God in human flesh, a truth proclaimed throughout the New Testament:
John 1:1 (KJV): "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." The Word (λόγος - logos see this post) here denotes divine reason, wisdom, and the very expression of God.
John 8:58 (KJV): "Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am." This is a direct echo of God's declaration to Moses in Exodus 3:14, claiming His divine identity.
Philippians 2:6-7 (KJV): "Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men." The "form of God" (μορφή θεοῦ - morphē theou) speaks of His essential nature and equality with God - the taking form of God”.
Colossians 1:15-17 (KJV): "Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist." Jesus is the "image" (εἰκών - eikōn) of God, fully representing His essence (see this interesting post).
Unlocking the Answers: Christ's Finished Work Explained
Now, let's answer those questions from Psalm 118, with the glorious lens of Christ's finished work:
The Psalm is all about Jesus. His entire journey – from His pre-existence to His suffering, death, resurrection, and future return – is the very fulfillment of this prophecy. He is God's profound mercy made visible (Luke 1:78: "Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us," pointing to Jesus as the dawning of salvation). Because He is God, God is always perfectly aligned with Him.
Jesus is the One calling out in distress on the cross. As the complete atonement (ἱλασμός - hilasmos) for all sins (Isaiah 53:6: "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all."), sicknesses (Isaiah 53:4: "Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows..."), curses (Galatians 3:13: "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us..."), and every form of adversity, He bore the full, crushing weight of humanity's brokenness. His agonizing cry from the cross, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46, KJV; directly quoting Psalm 22:1), reveals the unfathomable depth of His identification with our distress, all for our redemption (ἀπολύτρωσις - apolytrosis).
Jesus is the One surrounded by nations, even on the cross. The Roman soldiers, the Jewish leaders, and people from every background surrounded Him, symbolizing all humanity for whom He willingly died. Psalm 118:10-12, "All nations compassed me about..." prophetically speaks not only of His physical encirclement but also of the spiritual forces arrayed against Him. Yet, through His ultimate sacrifice (θυσία - thysia), all nations are represented in Him and set free! Let us also remember that many times in the Bible “nations” refer to adversaries.
The "nations" referred to in this setting primarily signify evil itself and the spirits of evil. Psalm 118:12 proclaims, "They compassed me about like bees; they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the LORD I will destroy them." These spiritual adversaries, which hold God's elect captive, were utterly defeated and destroyed (καταργέω - katargeō, to render powerless) by Jesus' definitive victory on the cross (Colossians 2:15: "And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it."). The Psalm gloriously describes Jesus as the victorious and exalted Right Hand of the Lord, signifying His supreme power (δύναμις - dynamis, inherent power) and absolute authority (ἐξουσία - exousia, delegated authority, right to act) in the universe. HalleluYAH!
Jesus, Yah'shua, the One who truly comes in the name of Yahveh, declares the works of the Lord. Why? Because He is the only One who can. He perfectly fulfilled the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 5:17: "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil." The Greek πληρόω - plēroō means to 'fill up,' 'complete,' or 'bring to full meaning'). He lived out the very purpose of all the Old Govenant foreshadowings and feasts. He went to the cross, utterly defeated death, sin, and destruction, was raised victoriously and gloriously from the dead (Romans 6:9: "Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him."), and now, by His finished work, lives inside of us by His Spirit (πνεῦμα - pneuma)!
So, Jesus is the Voice of Rejoicing and Salvation in the tabernacle. As Psalm 118:15 joyfully declares, "The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous." Who is the tabernacle? Us! We, believers, are the "tabernacles" not touched (built) by human hands, but wonderfully crafted by the Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 6:19-20: "What? know ye not that your body is the temple (ναός - naos, referring to the sanctuary or dwelling place) of the Holy Ghost which is in you... For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."). Because He is holy, He can only dwell in a holy place – a place made completely righteous (δίκαιος - dikaios, just, upright, righteous) in all respects by His own precious blood (2 Corinthians 6:16: "for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people."). This righteousness is freely gifted to us through His finished work on the cross.
Jesus is the Corner Stone that the builders rejected (Psalm 118:22: "The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner."). This prophetic verse is repeatedly quoted in the New Testament to emphasize Christ's rejection by religious leaders but His ultimate exaltation by God (Acts 4:10-11: "Be it known unto you all...by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead... This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner."). By His finished work, He is now the foundational Corner Stone (ἀκρογωνιαῖος - akrogōniaios, chief corner stone) of every living temple built by God – You, the individual believer (1 Peter 2:4-5: "To whom coming, as unto a living stone... Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house...").
Whose prayer was heard by the Lord? You know the answer: Jesus' prayer was heard! In Gethsemane, He prayed, "O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt." (Matthew 26:39, KJV). His prayer for our salvation was heard and perfectly answered through His ultimate sacrifice, securing our victory.
Who is good and only good? And this one too: The LORD (Yahveh) is good, and Jesus, as YHVH Himself, perfectly embodies and reveals that goodness. He is God incarnate (Mark 10:18: "And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God."). His finished work flows from His perfect goodness and love for humanity.
Prophecy Fulfilled – And Still Unfolding!
The declaration "Baruch ha ba ha Schem Adonai" was a powerful Prophecy fulfilled! Jesus' triumphal entry was a direct and undeniable fulfillment of Psalm 118.
Yet, in Hebrew, the concept of prophecy (נְבוּאָה - nevu'ah) often carries a broader, re-occurring meaning. This phrase also holds the promise of the glorious second coming of Yah'shua! Just as Jerusalem rejected Him initially, a day is coming when they, and indeed all nations, will embrace Him with this very acclamation, fulfilling Matthew 23:39 in its entirety.
Until then, who comes in the Name of Yahveh?
We do! As believers in Christ and filled with His Spirit, we are empowered by His finished work on the cross and His glorious resurrection. We are anointed with His abiding Spirit of truth and power. When we pray, speak, or act "in the Name of the Lord," we invoke His very presence, His authority (ἐξουσία - exousia), and His power (δύναμις - dynamis)!
John 14:13-14 (KJV): "And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it."
John 16:23-24 (KJV): "And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full." What day? I even have a specific post on that here.
This authority to operate in His Name is a direct result of His comprehensive finished work, which fully redeemed us and seated us with Him in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6). Now, our every word and deed can be performed "in the name of the Lord Jesus" (Colossians 3:17: "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.").
"O give thanks unto the Yahveh; for he is good: for His mercy endureth for ever!" (Psalm 118:1, KJV)
HalleluYAH! Embrace the power and reality of His finished work today!
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