There is something almost magical, certainly holy, in the names of God. I have been listening recently to a podcast by the Bible Project guys on the Identity of God: His Name, His Glory, His Word, the Angel of the Lord, the Son of Man etc, and how he manifests Himself differently to different humans at different times. It is fascinating! I recommend it. CLICK HERE But it got me thinking of writing a song based on the names of God.
I love this song performed here by Cece Winans “Holy Forever”, It repeats that line: “Your name is thee hiighest, your name is the greatest, your name stands above them all!”- Awesome!
I haven’t written that song yet, but there are a bunch of songs already out there expressing many of God’s names which I will discuss later on this blog.
SPOTIFY PLAYLIST
Here is a Spotify Playlist I have put together with many of these songs I will discuss in this blog and others you may enjoy!
But first I was inspired to share a bit of the sermon that Glenn and Danielle Petruzzi preached for us this morning in church connecting the names of God with the lines of Psalm 23.
One of the most beloved scriptures in the Bible is Psalm 23. It is a personal favorite of mine, too. Here is my favorite translation:
“TheLordis my shepherd,I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he restores my soul.
He guides me along paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
One often hear characters in movies recite this to themselves in times of crisis. I often recite it over and over if I am having trouble sleeping, not because it bores me, but because it calms my racing mind!
While I’m talking about it, there are two really great songs based on Psalm 23 that come quickly to mind you might enjoy: “Psalm 23 ( I am Not Alone)” performed by People & Songs featuring Josh Sherman
and “Still Waters (Psalm 23)” by Leanne Crawford.
Herd of Merino Sheep grazing in a paddock
Jehovah Raah- “The Lord is my shepherd.” I sure need a shepherd sometimes, don’t you?
Sure, I could always use more mentoring in my career; I am super grateful for my producer Neal Merrick Blackwood and support systems I have found in groups with Bree Noble and her Profitable Musician Academy and Fiona Flyte Performing Artist Coaching, Tiamo and his Musicpreneur Academy, and Allen C. Paul with his God and Gigs Community to name a few.
I also need shepherding in my marriage; My husband Ralph is called to lead, but we need help together and I am very grateful for Milton and Debbie Drake and Rob and Peg Buske who are mentors in our faith and marriage right now, as well as Tom and Sheila Jones and others who have been in thee thick of it with us over the years! I am grateful for the marriage retreats we get to go to most every year sponsored by our church, too! I am so grateful we are not alone in our marriage!
This year I sang with the worship team at the retreat as usual, but most enjoyed sitting at the feet of Lisa and Sajjin Sharma as they shared pearls of wisdom from scripture and their lives too deepen our marriage and help us be more in sync with each other’s rhythms and the Spirit!
Ralph & Julie Kinscheck at marriage retreat 2025
One cool exercise we did in the women’s class was to write down at least 10 things we appreciate about our husband and make a list of things about us that probably drive our husband nuts! Then share them with him. (I still need to share them! but life got busy and I forgot to! I need to write myself a note!) Try it- it really makes you appreciate your spouse more!
But most of all I need a shepherd for my soul! I need guidance every day to walk in the Spirit, with confidence and faith; to overcome fear, frustration and struggles. That Shepherd is Jesus, my Jahovah Raag!
Jehova Jireh- The Lord is my provider. “I shall not want.” I always have what I need.
There’s a song sung by Charity Gayle featuring Joshua Sherman that I have fallen in love with recently called “Living in the Overflow”… it is a pretty cool crossover between contemporary Christian & Gospel- LOTS of fun!
Another really popular song about Jehova Jireh is by Elevation Worship with Maverick City: Jireh
“And myGodwillmeetall your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” – Phil 4:19
It’s easy to forget how blessed I am when I am freaking out about credit card debts or wanting more to happen with my music career! If there any area in your life that can tempt you to feel ungrateful? But it doesn’t take me longs to remember how materially I am blessed more than most of the world! And even here in MA, where I land below the the poverty level even with a prestigious professorship, that there are many homeless on the streets without a home or heat tonight. In fact, I truly do lack nothing! I am overweight because I have so much food available I have to exercise self control to not enjoy it all! I have a job I love, shoes to wear. I even go on vacations! WHY DO I EVER COMPLAIN? I guess that is just a human problem!
Philippians 4:19 says: “My God will meet all my needs.” -Said another way- I believe that! But Mick Jagger had it right when he sang “You can’t always get what you want, but if you try some time, you just might find, you get what you need!”
Blue Ridge Mountains, NC
Jehova Shalom- The Lord is my peace. “He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul.”
This picture of the mountain above- that = peace for me!
Recently I was at a workshop at Berklee for teachers on the topic of “deep listening.” I wasn’t sure what to expect. It was a combination of questions, exercises and meditation. But the big thing that I took from it was this: When I sing a single tone on “ooh…” a really pure tone, I can completely clear my mind. This is very difficult for me. Then I can meditate on my Jehova Shalom.
In the sermon today, Danielle remarked that God doesn’t want us to be frazzled, harried and freaked out. I can be that proverbial chicken with my head cut off, running between teaching and gigs and church activities, marketing, the gym and family activities… it is difficult to give myself the permission to rest. But it was God who created the Sabbath because he knew we needed rest and peace. I need my Jehova Shalom.
Last July when I was making my album in Black Mountain, I was staying at an air BnB cabin with a Mountain View. I just texted with the owner this week to see how recovery from the hurricane’s last year was going for them. It was such a beautiful peaceful place. I am so grateful it wasn’t destroyed!
Jehova Rapha – He restores my soul!
Those mountain above are a place that restores my soul. I feel God all around me! But he is also our healer- inside and out. Heals us from our fear and sin and afflictions of all kinds. I am restored in nature; I am restored in prayer; I am restore by his Word in the scripture and often by the people of God who show his compassion.
16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.- James 5:16
I am also restored by music. Yes, listening to meaningful music is great, but for me, the experience of participating in it, singing it, playing it, connecting with others through it… that deeply moves and heals my soul! Ralph and I used to have a saying that “Music is a doctor”- we stole it from this old Doodle Brothers tune! But We both remember lots of times that went on stage not feeling well and God restored us through the music!
Some songs that restore me when we sing them ini worship include: “The Blessing”, “Holy Spirit”, “How Great Thou Art”, “Agnus Dei”… just to name a few.
Jehovah Shammah- The Lord his my constant companion. I am never alone!
4 “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;” – Psalm 23:4
“Never will I leave you;never will I forsake you.”[a]
6 So we say with confidence,
“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” – Hebrews 5a-6
Before I knew Jesus, I was lonely a lot. As soon as the Holy Spirit came to take residence in me, I was never lonely again!
And I am Sooooo grateful that no matter what life throws at me or who is beside me at that moment, I am never left to do this all alone! That doesn’t mean I am not dependent on and grateful for my husband, children, family and friends- I believe they are one tangible way that God shows me I am not alone. But this does go deeper. God understands my soul, my insecurities, my dreams and fears!
Finally, Jehova M’Kaddesh- My Lord is my sanctifier!
Jesus died to save me. That is every more fresh ini our minds as we approach Easter Sunday and that biggest celebration of his resurrection all year.
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.- 1 Peter 2″9
One song I LOVE to sing for Easter is Hillsong’s “Victor’s Crown”. There are sone older songs that are incredible, too… “10,000 Angels” and “Old Rugged Cross.”
Here is a Spotify Playlist I have put together of many of these songs and others you may enjoy!
Thank you for celebrating the wonderful names of God with me today!
It all points to the beautiful truth that as it says in 1 Peter 5:7 that He Cares for You!
Please enjoy my new lyric video for my song “He Cares for You”
