I like words. I came across this word again listening to a Beth Moore audio series on the names of God. Jews refer to the tetragrammaton, (the four letter name of God – YHVH) as “the ineffable name.” The Old Testament Jews would not speak or write this name. They did not even know its pronunciation, and it was only supernaturally spoken on the Day of Atonement in the temple by the priest. Coming across it in Scripture they might say “The Name” or insert another of the names of God there in its place. There was no scriptural command that they engage in this practice, it was self-imposed out of reverence and not wanting to chance that in saying The Name or writing The Name it may be defaced in some way, which was prohibited in the Ten Commandments.
In our day of extremely casual and often irreverent lifestyles, this handling of the name of God is refreshing. No, He is not asking this of us, it is not required for salvation or forgiveness or approval, but I wonder if putting a few things like this into practice wouldn’t do something in our own hearts and minds. A reminder that our God is so much more than our small minds can even imagine, and He is worthy of our complete awe.

O measureless Might,
Ineffable Love,
While angels delight
To hymn thee above,
Thy humbler creation,
Though feeble their lays,
With true adoration
Shall sing to thy praise.

from the hymn O Worship the King by Robert Grant

(and I wish Mr. Smith had worked it into Immortal, Invisible, God only Wise…..it’s so three quarter time perfect AND it starts with an “I” !)

(P.S. I also learned that whenever you come across the word LORD in all capitals in your Bible – it’s YHVH)