Good Lord by James White

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 5, 1867

“Good Lord.”

By James White

We often hear well-meaning people, when speaking of the High and Holy One, use the expression, “good Lord,” and “thank the good Lord.” The adjective “good,” when speaking of common things, as a good cow, that good horse, and that good man, seems very proper, and falls on the ear agreeably. But we would suggest that where it is connected with the great and terrible God, it sounds exceedingly disagreeable.

It is true that the Psalmist says, “Good is the Lord;” but the sentence is made dignified by the addition, “and greatly to be praised.” The usual manner of scriptural expression is, God, the great God, the Most High, the Almighty. Let us remember that holy and reverend is His name, and be careful not to break the commandment by taking that exalted name in vain.

JAMES WHITE.