How is the name of the Lord a strong tower (Proverbs 18:10)?

Answer

The Bible teaches us that the Lord God Himself is our rock, fortress, and deliverer. In Him, we can find refuge because He is our shield of protection, our horn of salvation, and our stronghold, as stated in Psalm 18:2. Psalms frequently compares God to a high and strong tower of protection and a shelter where His people can securely hide. Proverbs 18:10 also conveys a similar truth about God’s name: “The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe” (ESV).

In ancient times, a person’s name held more significance than just a random identifier or title. A name reflected the person’s nature and unique attributes. Therefore, God’s name symbolizes His essential character and authority. The person of God and the name of God are inseparable.

The Lord’s name is a strong tower because the infinite heights and depths of His person, presence, and power are encompassed in that name. The righteous—those who are justified through a relationship with Jesus Christ—can seek refuge in Him, finding perfection, faithfulness, power, authority, mercy, and love, and be securely positioned within His tower of protection, shielded from all harm.

The name of the Lord is synonymous with the Lord Himself. It signifies the revealed essence of God or His manifestation in the history of salvation. The Lord proves Himself faithful and reliable to all who trust in Him: “From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety, for you are my safe refuge, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me” (Psalm+61%3A2-3%3BNLT”>(Psalm 61:2-3;NLT). The ESV interprets the phrase “for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy” (verse 3). The name of the Lord is a strong tower because He is our defense. By understanding what God has revealed about His character, we can rely on Him «I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: My God; in him will I trust. », (Psalm 91:2).

The name of the Lord and the character of God are interchangeable phrases. David said, “Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you” «And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: For thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee. », (Psalm 9:10). God reveals His character to us through His Word, through the person of Jesus Christ, and through the various revelations expressed through His many names.

As Elohim, He is the Creator; as Yahweh, He is the covenant-keeping, eternal I AM; as El Shaddai, He is the all-sufficient, all-powerful God Almighty; as Jehovah Jireh, He is our Provider; as Yeshua, He is the Savior. He is the Good Shepherd, who leads, guides, and protects; He is the Lamb of God, who lays down His life for us; He is Jesus, the Incarnate Son and Christ the Risen Lord; and He is the eternal, glorious, highly exalted King of Heaven! Psalm 8:1 rightly acknowledges, “LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory in the heavens.”

The name of the Lord can also be understood as His nature manifesting itself. One aspect of that nature is a strong, high tower offering a citadel of safety capable of withstanding every hostile attack. Into this tower, the righteous can run and hide, safely guarded above all danger: “For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred.

Tent and set me high upon a rock” «For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: In the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. », (Psalm 27:5).

The name of the Lord is a strong tower because it is capable of safeguarding all who call upon that name. When the prophet Joel foresaw the Lord’s return, he saw a terrifying day of judgment and terror. Yet he declared, “And everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved” «And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.», (Joel 2:32). That same promise of salvation in the name of the Lord echoes in the New Testament (Romans 10:13;Acts 2:21). When we call upon the name of the Lord, we call upon God Himself.

The Lord’s name signifies everything that God is in Himself—His compassion, lovingkindness, mercy, grace, power, judgment, holiness, perfection, knowledge, and more. Everyone who knows and trusts in Him discovers that He is indeed a strong tower.