Concerning the Vatican directive against using "Yahweh" in liturgical services

[Son of Jonah]

I saw a few years ago the footnote in a hymnal noting that the lyrics of a song had been changed because the Vatican had directed against the use of Yahweh, either spoken or in song, during liturgical services. I had two questions (and a few sub-questions) about this:

1. Though I'm sure the answer should be obvious, I'll start simply. Why was this done? I ask simply out of curiosity. Is it because the word is deemed too holy to be used while worshiping? Is there a substantive difference between speaking the word in normal conversation as I am doing now, as opposed to speaking/singing it during liturgical services?

2. I enjoy a song called "Signature of Divine (Yahweh!)" by Needtobreathe, a Christian rock band. Would it be wrong for me to sing this song, as the word Yahweh is sung many times throughout the course of the chorus?

[Rejoice Always]

Originally Posted by Son of Jonah

1. Though I'm sure the answer should be obvious, I'll start simply. Why was this done? I ask simply out of curiosity. Is it because the word is deemed too holy to be used while worshiping? Is there a substantive difference between speaking the word in normal conversation as I am doing now, as opposed to speaking/singing it during liturgical services?

I can't recall exactly why it was done, though I do recall that it was a translation issue (not anything to do with the holiness of the term "Yahweh" but a mistranslation of the tetragrammaton, YHWH). Someone else may chime in with specifics.

Originally Posted by Son of Jonah

2. I enjoy a song called "Signature of Divine (Yahweh!)" by Needtobreathe, a Christian rock band. Would it be wrong for me to sing this song, as the word Yahweh is sung many times throughout the course of the chorus?

I think it would be fine -- as long as you don't do it during Mass.

[Neofight]

If I am not mistaken (and I have been before ) the reason is to respect the beliefs of our Jewish cousins. They were the first children of God, before gentiles and pagans were adopted, so we should show the same respect to the Father that they do.

Can you sing it? Why not. I believe the ruling says not to say it in the liturgy, and I just don't see a pop (albeit) Christain Band playing in many Masses.

Pax

[SonCatcher]

Originally Posted by Son of Jonah

1. Though I'm sure the answer should be obvious, I'll start simply. Why was this done? I ask simply out of curiosity. Is it because the word is deemed too holy to be used while worshiping? Is there a substantive difference between speaking the word in normal conversation as I am doing now, as opposed to speaking/singing it during liturgical services?

There are basically 2 reasons. The first is sensitivity to the holiness of God and toward the sensibilities of those who regard the Holy Name as ineffable. In particular, our elder brothers in Faith, the Jews, very strictly avoid pronouncing God's name, instead saying "The Name" (Ha'Shem) whenever they see it written.

The second is historical. For the first several centuries, Christians likewise avoided pronouncing God's name for exactly the same reason. Limiting the use of the name in liturgy is a way of returning to our own roots.

2. I enjoy a song called "Signature of Divine (Yahweh!)" by Needtobreathe, a Christian rock band. Would it be wrong for me to sing this song, as the word Yahweh is sung many times throughout the course of the chorus?

In light of the above, try it once with "HaShem." Then sing it the way you like (just not in liturgy).

[Aelred Minor]

As I recall, from way back when this was more recent, there were three main reasons for the directive.

First, the use of the name is offensive to the Jews, and why offend them needlessly when it could easily be avoided?

Second, the name has not traditionally been used in Christianity. The name originally meant I AM, and thus was a refusal to give a name as much as it was a name. In other languages and even in more modern Hebrew, the etymology of the name is not obvious when it is said. This causes its function to be reversed. Rather than expressing the mystery and namelessness of God, the name now generally puts God into a little box, presents him as an ancient Semitic mountain-god with a personal name. The tradition of changing the tetragrammaton to "Kyrie" or its equivalent in other languages is much more appropriate.

Third, the "name above all names" for Christians is "Jesus." This name of course incorporates the other, placing it in context of the salvation won for us by God-Man. By bringing back the pronounced version of YHWH (or a probable reconstruction of it, anyway), we set up another all-holy name which could take away the sense that "Jesus" is the most sacred name for God that we can say.

[Rich C]

Originally Posted by Aelred Minor

As I recall, from way back when this was more recent, there were three main reasons for the directive.

First, the use of the name is offensive to the Jews, and why offend them needlessly when it could easily be avoided?

Second, the name has not traditionally been used in Christianity. The name originally meant I AM, and thus was a refusal to give a name as much as it was a name. In other languages and even in more modern Hebrew, the etymology of the name is not obvious when it is said. This causes its function to be reversed. Rather than expressing the mystery and namelessness of God, the name now generally puts God into a little box, presents him as an ancient Semitic mountain-god with a personal name. The tradition of changing the tetragrammaton to "Kyrie" or its equivalent in other languages is much more appropriate.

Third, the "name above all names" for Christians is "Jesus." This name of course incorporates the other, placing it in context of the salvation won for us by God-Man. By bringing back the pronounced version of YHWH (or a probable reconstruction of it, anyway), we set up another all-holy name which could take away the sense that "Jesus" is the most sacred name for God that we can say.

This summed up what I wanted to add. Traditionally, Catholics would bow their heads at the name of Jesus (we still do at most traditional Latin Masses) and I think keeping that sacredness about the Holy Name is important. Most pre-Vatican II Catholic writers would refer to Him as "Our Lord" to avoid overusing His name.

[Elizium23]

Originally Posted by Rich C

This summed up what I wanted to add. Traditionally, Catholics would bow their heads at the name of Jesus (we still do at most traditional Latin Masses)

We are obligated to bow our heads at the name of Jesus at all Masses - it is still enshrined in the GIRM! (Along with the name of Mary, the Holy Trinity, and the Saint of the day.)

[MarkThompson]

Originally Posted by Son of Jonah

I saw a few years ago the footnote in a hymnal noting that the lyrics of a song had been changed because the Vatican had directed against the use of Yahweh, either spoken or in song, during liturgical services. I had two questions (and a few sub-questions) about this:

1. Though I'm sure the answer should be obvious, I'll start simply. Why was this done? I ask simply out of curiosity. Is it because the word is deemed too holy to be used while worshiping? Is there a substantive difference between speaking the word in normal conversation as I am doing now, as opposed to speaking/singing it during liturgical services?

2. I enjoy a song called "Signature of Divine (Yahweh!)" by Needtobreathe, a Christian rock band. Would it be wrong for me to sing this song, as the word Yahweh is sung many times throughout the course of the chorus?

The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments explained the reasoning behind this directive in the 2008 letter which announced it, and which you can read here. As to your second question, the directive only concerns the liturgy, so it does not purport to affect what you sing in your own free time.