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Many thanks indeed for a fascinating read (and for not arguing ;-) ...).
I have never understood why "Gentile" Bible translators insist on replacing the tetragrammaton with "LORD". I realise that many Jewish writers revere the name of G'd to the extent that they will write G'd rather than with an "o", change the "ה" of "אלהים" to a "ק" and even replace "Adonai" with a couple of apostrophes, but I have never been aware of Christians having any such qualms about using the name Jehovah or Yahweh. Indeed, it is commonly found in hymns. The name in the original text is so beautiful in the way it encompasses every tense of the verb "to be" (even the Hebrew spelling looks beautiful!), that it seems a shame to lose it with a rather poor substitute.
Besides, how often does the Bible tell us to "praise the NAME of the Lord". How can modern readers praise HIS name, when they do not even have the opportunity to read in the Bible what that name is?!
With Lingopro in wishing you the guidance you seek
15:47 Aug 18, 2010
Lingopro writes: "in Christianity, lord also refers to Jesus, and then אלהים (Elohim) is inappropriate here."
Chritians would argue here for "בן אלהים" (Ben Elohim = Son of God). Most non-Christian speakers of Hebrew would no doubt disagree!
The reason for my quetion was purely personal. I am going through a time in my life wher I feel I need some help and guidance by God, I am not a practising Christian, but do beleive the bible and its teachings. Thanks
You received some prettey good answers, however, I would like to ask, what is the purpose of the sentence? Is it a citation from the Bible/other literature, or for a tattoo, or anything else?
The reason I am asking is that in Christianity, lord also refers to Jesus, and then אלהים (Elohim) is inappropriate here.
There is another translation for the term "watch over", so it really depends what you need this for. Can you clarify?
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 1 hr (2010-08-18 11:05:23 GMT) --------------------------------------------------
English pronunciation is more or less "shomreny el" where "el" is pronounced like in Spanish ("El Salvador" for example). Psalms 16:1. Psalms 140:5 has שומרני יהוה
meirs Local time: 05:23 Native speaker of: Romanian
Notes to answerer
Asker: can you show me how to pronounce this in English please, thank you
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 25 mins (2010-08-18 09:58:26 GMT) --------------------------------------------------
Pronounced:
"shomreni Adonai"
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 3 hrs (2010-08-18 13:08:37 GMT) --------------------------------------------------
Note:
I have opted for the term "Adonai" as the question specifically asked for "lord". Terms such as "El", "Elohim" or the artificial "Elokim" more correctly translate as "God".
"יהוה" is the so-called tetragrammaton representing the actual name of the God of the Bible, variously rendered into English as "Yahweh" or "Jehovah" (or variant spellings for either of these).
All of the answers provided here that include the letters "שמר" are basically offering the same verb, literally meaning "to guard/watch over".
The noun "שומר" ("guard/watchman") comes from the same root.
Colin Rowe Germany Local time: 04:23 Specializes in field Native speaker of: English
Explanation: The verb hashgach (ch is pronounced like the Scottish Loch - guttural sound) is used in the phrase: השגחה עליונה - hashgacha elyona, which means Providence which is: the protective care of God or of nature as a spiritual power.
Hashgach in itself is watch over.
The word Shmor means guard/protect.
Lingopro Israel Local time: 05:23 Native speaker of: English, Hebrew
Notes to answerer
Asker: Many thanks to you again, its amazing how a simple phrase can initiate such sensible and lively debate
The translation workplace 
