Power in a Name

We see in scripture that God's name has great power. Of course when one looks at the history of magic (and I am going to wax eloquent on the esoteric for a moment here) one finds that the belief in names has a long and rich history. Many cultures believed that certain names held great spiritual power, and/or that knowing a things 'true' name gave one power over that thing. Alternately there is a history, especially in the Hebrew magical tradition, for using names of power to invoke spiritual authority over the world. We see one example of this in the book of Acts when the seven brothers attempt to use the names of Jesus and Paul to invoke magical authority over a demon...which proceeds to beat on them, strip them naked, and send them running. Similarly, according to Hebrew legend, King Solomon used a magical ring and the 'true' names of 224? (may have 222 or 227...it was two-hundred and twenty something) demons to control them and build the Temple of God. The names of these beings are recorded in several magical texts.
Ultimately we know that the spiritual authority lies not in the name but in the being which holds the name and the relationship behind it. In the Christian tradition we pray 'in the name of Christ' and we cast out demons 'in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit' or 'in the name of Christ' etc. The theological connection here should not be missed, when we pray we pray to God through the intermediary of Christ, 'in the name of Christ.' However it is not the name which has power but the being which holds the name the relationship I have to that being. Suffice it to say that while there is power in the name of God it is not the power of the name, but the power of God to whom the name belongs.

What meaning has a name
What power may it hold
Does its glory bring great fame
Does its nature make one bold

What meaning has a name
What glory my it grasp
That its greatness may ignite, inflame
And your majesty might clasp

What meaning has a name
What wonder may it clutch
To drive a man to heedless blame
And lend his mind to sin's dark touch

A greatness lies in God's good name
Majesty in man's words indescribable
For this good thing Christ came
To bathe your name in glories indecipherable