God’s Name in Vain
“For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain.” Psalm 139.20
As I was traveling the route to an appointment with my wound care doctor (a repeated appointment for over four years), I had my radio tuned in to a local talk-show radio program that I had enjoyed in the past. The co-hosts spoke of current events, the weather and local happenings. Since I had heard them so often it was almost like having them in the car with me helping me handle the hour long drive.
Maybe I had become desensitized over the years to the verbiage they used; however, this morning my ears stung and my heart ached as I heard many times phrases such as “O Lord,” and “O my God,” and “Good Lord” used. While most Christians would shudder at the use of profanity, it’s not uncommon to hear those same Christians using “Christian cuss words” and think nothing of it.
The word “vain” translates the Hebrew word “shâv’” and indicates something that is worthless and without meaning. The most familiar use of this word is in the third commandment where God commands that we should not take the name of the Lord our God in vain. (Exodus 20.7; Deuteronomy 5.11) The thought includes God’s reputation and indicates that we are not to “lift up” (“take”) the name, reputation, of our God without purpose.
With God there is always a purpose and a reason to consider. To invoke His name simply as an exclamation or a phrase which does not afford Him His due respect, is to align Him with the useless prayers prayed to idols. Since the primary meaning of “vain” is “emptiness” or “vanity” – and designates anything that is unsubstantial, unreal, or worthless – either materially or morally. Hence, it is a word for idols rather than an appellation for the One true God. *
This vanity may also be applied to the words of a false prophet which whitewash and sugarcoat a gloomy situation. (Lamentations 2.14; Ezekiel 13.6-9, 23) By offering a false or presumptuous prophecy, the false prophet invokes an authority he does not possess. He presumes upon the wisdom of God which God has not offered. He invokes God’s reputation in order to add weight to his own suppositions.
Prophets were often called in by ancient kings who sought for advice prior to military engagements. Many times the prophets would give the king a favorable prediction knowing that should his king prevail, the prophet would be honored; should his king not prevail, the losing king would be unable to deal out retribution for the wrong information. (See I Kings 22.8)
Taking the Lord’s name in vain suggests a wide range of misuse. We are not to take God’s name lightly – He is the Sovereign Creator and Sustainer of all there is. We are not to invoke God’s reputation on our own devices – we are His people and the sheep of His pasture – we are followers of Him and His will. We are not to consider Him a genie in a bottle doling out wishes to the master – we are to call on Him in reverence understanding that He is completely holy and righteous altogether. (Psalm 19.9)
He is neither the “Big Man” up there somewhere; nor is He someone whose name we may take lightly. He is God.
*Theological Word Book of the Old Testament, Harris. Copyright © 2025 Dr. John H. Hill, All rights reserved.
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