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"YHWH" by Yemi Alafifuni: A Name Beyond Words


The making of Yemi Alafifuni's song "YHWH" is a journey of laughter and revelation, as well as anger and discovery. This song was triggered in response to a simple question with an eternal answer. Yemi shares, "I once heard a comedian ask—if the colonial masters, who claimed to be God-sent, truly knew the name of their God? The question, wrapped in humor, struck a nerve. Angry at the shallowness of the joke, I embarked on a personal quest to unearth the true name of my Father. My search led me beyond books, beyond theology—straight into the breath of existence itself. YHWH—the unspoken, yet ever-present name of God. A revelation hidden right beneath my nostrils, woven into every inhale, whispered with every exhale."

Yemi Alafifuni - YHWH"YHWH" invites us to have our own personal experience with the name of God, Yahweh (YHWH), a name that is never spoken but is always there. Parts of the lyrics were inspired by scriptures, such as Exodus 3:14—"I AM WHO I AM"—and declare that every breath we take carries His name. Yemi shares, "A truth so profound that my very lungs depend on it. YHWH is a legacy - one that will echo through the voices of generations yet unborn. And in every breath, I find the greatest joy in simply calling His name."

The lyrics carry the reverence and awe with which we may utter His name: "I love to call your name / Yahweh Asher Yahweh… You're the God who saves / And your love remains." We are reminded of His sufficiency, power, and unchanging nature. During our worship we may call Him "Daddy," "Father," "Abba," or "Yahweh Sabaoth" (Lord of Hosts), some of the many names we may use that reflect both intimacy and His majesty. But most important is that His name conquers all and endures forever, "The name inside my lungs / The name that conquers all." He Brings into Existence Whatever Exists (Yahweh-Asher-Yahweh).

YHWH. Breathe it in. Sing it out.

(Related scripture: Exodus 3:14; Revelations 5:12; Psalms 10:16)

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