diff --git a/lib/psych.rb b/lib/psych.rb
index cedf0a4a..9b9ccc86 100644
--- a/lib/psych.rb
+++ b/lib/psych.rb
@@ -249,11 +249,11 @@ module Psych
   #
   # Example:
   #
-  #   Psych.load("--- a")             # => 'a'
-  #   Psych.load("---\n - a\n - b")   # => ['a', 'b']
+  #   Psych.unsafe_load("--- a")             # => 'a'
+  #   Psych.unsafe_load("---\n - a\n - b")   # => ['a', 'b']
   #
   #   begin
-  #     Psych.load("--- `", filename: "file.txt")
+  #     Psych.unsafe_load("--- `", filename: "file.txt")
   #   rescue Psych::SyntaxError => ex
   #     ex.file    # => 'file.txt'
   #     ex.message # => "(file.txt): found character that cannot start any token"
@@ -262,16 +262,16 @@ module Psych
   # When the optional +symbolize_names+ keyword argument is set to a
   # true value, returns symbols for keys in Hash objects (default: strings).
   #
-  #   Psych.load("---\n foo: bar")                         # => {"foo"=>"bar"}
-  #   Psych.load("---\n foo: bar", symbolize_names: true)  # => {:foo=>"bar"}
+  #   Psych.unsafe_load("---\n foo: bar")                         # => {"foo"=>"bar"}
+  #   Psych.unsafe_load("---\n foo: bar", symbolize_names: true)  # => {:foo=>"bar"}
   #
   # Raises a TypeError when `yaml` parameter is NilClass
   #
   # NOTE: This method *should not* be used to parse untrusted documents, such as
   # YAML documents that are supplied via user input.  Instead, please use the
-  # safe_load method.
+  # load method or the safe_load method.
   #
-  def self.load yaml, legacy_filename = NOT_GIVEN, filename: nil, fallback: false, symbolize_names: false, freeze: false
+  def self.unsafe_load yaml, legacy_filename = NOT_GIVEN, filename: nil, fallback: false, symbolize_names: false, freeze: false
     if legacy_filename != NOT_GIVEN
       warn_with_uplevel 'Passing filename with the 2nd argument of Psych.load is deprecated. Use keyword argument like Psych.load(yaml, filename: ...) instead.', uplevel: 1 if $VERBOSE
       filename = legacy_filename
@@ -362,6 +362,46 @@ def self.safe_load yaml, legacy_permitted_classes = NOT_GIVEN, legacy_permitted_
     result
   end
 
+  ###
+  # Load +yaml+ in to a Ruby data structure.  If multiple documents are
+  # provided, the object contained in the first document will be returned.
+  # +filename+ will be used in the exception message if any exception
+  # is raised while parsing.  If +yaml+ is empty, it returns
+  # the specified +fallback+ return value, which defaults to +false+.
+  #
+  # Raises a Psych::SyntaxError when a YAML syntax error is detected.
+  #
+  # Example:
+  #
+  #   Psych.load("--- a")             # => 'a'
+  #   Psych.load("---\n - a\n - b")   # => ['a', 'b']
+  #
+  #   begin
+  #     Psych.load("--- `", filename: "file.txt")
+  #   rescue Psych::SyntaxError => ex
+  #     ex.file    # => 'file.txt'
+  #     ex.message # => "(file.txt): found character that cannot start any token"
+  #   end
+  #
+  # When the optional +symbolize_names+ keyword argument is set to a
+  # true value, returns symbols for keys in Hash objects (default: strings).
+  #
+  #   Psych.load("---\n foo: bar")                         # => {"foo"=>"bar"}
+  #   Psych.load("---\n foo: bar", symbolize_names: true)  # => {:foo=>"bar"}
+  #
+  # Raises a TypeError when `yaml` parameter is NilClass.  This method is
+  # similar to `safe_load` except that `Symbol` objects are allowed by default.
+  #
+  def self.load yaml, permitted_classes: [Symbol], permitted_symbols: [], aliases: false, filename: nil, fallback: nil, symbolize_names: false, freeze: false
+    safe_load yaml, permitted_classes: permitted_classes,
+                    permitted_symbols: permitted_symbols,
+                    aliases: aliases,
+                    filename: filename,
+                    fallback: fallback,
+                    symbolize_names: symbolize_names,
+                    freeze: freeze
+  end
+
   ###
   # Parse a YAML string in +yaml+.  Returns the Psych::Nodes::Document.
   # +filename+ is used in the exception message if a Psych::SyntaxError is
@@ -577,9 +617,9 @@ def self.load_stream yaml, legacy_filename = NOT_GIVEN, filename: nil, fallback:
   # NOTE: This method *should not* be used to parse untrusted documents, such as
   # YAML documents that are supplied via user input.  Instead, please use the
   # safe_load_file method.
-  def self.load_file filename, **kwargs
+  def self.unsafe_load_file filename, **kwargs
     File.open(filename, 'r:bom|utf-8') { |f|
-      self.load f, filename: filename, **kwargs
+      self.unsafe_load f, filename: filename, **kwargs
     }
   end
 
@@ -593,6 +633,7 @@ def self.safe_load_file filename, **kwargs
       self.safe_load f, filename: filename, **kwargs
     }
   end
+  class << self; alias load_file safe_load_file end
 
   # :stopdoc:
   def self.add_domain_type domain, type_tag, &block
diff --git a/test/psych/helper.rb b/test/psych/helper.rb
index b118b31c..0643139d 100644
--- a/test/psych/helper.rb
+++ b/test/psych/helper.rb
@@ -41,24 +41,30 @@ def with_default_internal(enc)
     # Convert between Psych and the object to verify correct parsing and
     # emitting
     #
-    def assert_to_yaml( obj, yaml )
-      assert_equal( obj, Psych::load( yaml ) )
+    def assert_to_yaml( obj, yaml, loader = :load )
+      assert_equal( obj, Psych.send(loader, yaml) )
       assert_equal( obj, Psych::parse( yaml ).transform )
-      assert_equal( obj, Psych::load( obj.to_yaml ) )
+      assert_equal( obj, Psych.send(loader, obj.to_yaml) )
       assert_equal( obj, Psych::parse( obj.to_yaml ).transform )
-      assert_equal( obj, Psych::load(
+      assert_equal( obj, Psych.send(loader,
         obj.to_yaml(
           :UseVersion => true, :UseHeader => true, :SortKeys => true
         )
       ))
+    rescue Psych::DisallowedClass, Psych::BadAlias
+      assert_to_yaml obj, yaml, :unsafe_load
     end
 
     #
     # Test parser only
     #
     def assert_parse_only( obj, yaml )
-      assert_equal( obj, Psych::load( yaml ) )
-      assert_equal( obj, Psych::parse( yaml ).transform )
+      begin
+        assert_equal obj, Psych::load( yaml )
+      rescue Psych::DisallowedClass, Psych::BadAlias
+        assert_equal obj, Psych::unsafe_load( yaml )
+      end
+      assert_equal obj, Psych::parse( yaml ).transform
     end
 
     def assert_cycle( obj )
@@ -69,9 +75,15 @@ def assert_cycle( obj )
         assert_nil Psych::load(Psych.dump(obj))
         assert_nil Psych::load(obj.to_yaml)
       else
-        assert_equal(obj, Psych.load(v.tree.yaml))
-        assert_equal(obj, Psych::load(Psych.dump(obj)))
-        assert_equal(obj, Psych::load(obj.to_yaml))
+        begin
+          assert_equal(obj, Psych.load(v.tree.yaml))
+          assert_equal(obj, Psych::load(Psych.dump(obj)))
+          assert_equal(obj, Psych::load(obj.to_yaml))
+        rescue Psych::DisallowedClass, Psych::BadAlias
+          assert_equal(obj, Psych.unsafe_load(v.tree.yaml))
+          assert_equal(obj, Psych::unsafe_load(Psych.dump(obj)))
+          assert_equal(obj, Psych::unsafe_load(obj.to_yaml))
+        end
       end
     end
 
diff --git a/test/psych/test_alias_and_anchor.rb b/test/psych/test_alias_and_anchor.rb
index 91c09dfd..81ebd66b 100644
--- a/test/psych/test_alias_and_anchor.rb
+++ b/test/psych/test_alias_and_anchor.rb
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ def test_mri_compatibility
 - *id001
 - *id001
 EOYAML
-     result = Psych.load yaml
+     result = Psych.unsafe_load yaml
      result.each {|el| assert_same(result[0], el) }
    end
 
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ def test_mri_compatibility_object_with_ivars
 - *id001
 EOYAML
 
-     result = Psych.load yaml
+     result = Psych.unsafe_load yaml
      result.each do |el|
       assert_same(result[0], el)
       assert_equal('test1', el.var1)
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ def test_mri_compatibility_substring_with_ivars
 - *id001
 - *id001
 EOYAML
-     result = Psych.load yaml
+     result = Psych.unsafe_load yaml
      result.each do |el|
       assert_same(result[0], el)
       assert_equal('test', el.var1)
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ def test_anchor_alias_round_trip
      original = [o,o,o]
 
      yaml = Psych.dump original
-     result = Psych.load yaml
+     result = Psych.unsafe_load yaml
      result.each {|el| assert_same(result[0], el) }
    end
 
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ def test_anchor_alias_round_trip_object_with_ivars
      original = [o,o,o]
 
      yaml = Psych.dump original
-     result = Psych.load yaml
+     result = Psych.unsafe_load yaml
      result.each do |el|
       assert_same(result[0], el)
       assert_equal('test1', el.var1)
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ def test_anchor_alias_round_trip_substring_with_ivars
      original = [o,o,o]
 
      yaml = Psych.dump original
-     result = Psych.load yaml
+     result = Psych.unsafe_load yaml
      result.each do |el|
       assert_same(result[0], el)
       assert_equal('test', el.var1)
diff --git a/test/psych/test_array.rb b/test/psych/test_array.rb
index f2bbdcab..28b76da7 100644
--- a/test/psych/test_array.rb
+++ b/test/psych/test_array.rb
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ def test_enumerator
     def test_another_subclass_with_attributes
       y = Y.new.tap {|o| o.val = 1}
       y << "foo" << "bar"
-      y = Psych.load Psych.dump y
+      y = Psych.unsafe_load Psych.dump y
 
       assert_equal %w{foo bar}, y
       assert_equal Y, y.class
@@ -42,13 +42,13 @@ def test_subclass
     end
 
     def test_subclass_with_attributes
-      y = Psych.load Psych.dump Y.new.tap {|o| o.val = 1}
+      y = Psych.unsafe_load Psych.dump Y.new.tap {|o| o.val = 1}
       assert_equal Y, y.class
       assert_equal 1, y.val
     end
 
     def test_backwards_with_syck
-      x = Psych.load "--- !seq:#{X.name} []\n\n"
+      x = Psych.unsafe_load "--- !seq:#{X.name} []\n\n"
       assert_equal X, x.class
     end
 
diff --git a/test/psych/test_coder.rb b/test/psych/test_coder.rb
index 5ea8cab9..f89dabbe 100644
--- a/test/psych/test_coder.rb
+++ b/test/psych/test_coder.rb
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ def init_with(c)
 
     def test_self_referential
       x = Referential.new
-      copy = Psych.load Psych.dump x
+      copy = Psych.unsafe_load Psych.dump x
       assert_equal copy, copy.a
     end
 
@@ -153,23 +153,23 @@ def test_map_with_tag_and_style
     end
 
     def test_represent_map
-      thing = Psych.load(Psych.dump(RepresentWithMap.new))
+      thing = Psych.unsafe_load(Psych.dump(RepresentWithMap.new))
       assert_equal({ "string" => 'a', :symbol => 'b' }, thing.map)
     end
 
     def test_represent_sequence
-      thing = Psych.load(Psych.dump(RepresentWithSeq.new))
+      thing = Psych.unsafe_load(Psych.dump(RepresentWithSeq.new))
       assert_equal %w{ foo bar }, thing.seq
     end
 
     def test_represent_with_init
-      thing = Psych.load(Psych.dump(RepresentWithInit.new))
+      thing = Psych.unsafe_load(Psych.dump(RepresentWithInit.new))
       assert_equal 'bar', thing.str
     end
 
     def test_represent!
       assert_match(/foo/, Psych.dump(Represent.new))
-      assert_instance_of(Represent, Psych.load(Psych.dump(Represent.new)))
+      assert_instance_of(Represent, Psych.unsafe_load(Psych.dump(Represent.new)))
     end
 
     def test_scalar_coder
@@ -179,7 +179,7 @@ def test_scalar_coder
 
     def test_load_dumped_tagging
       foo = InitApi.new
-      bar = Psych.load(Psych.dump(foo))
+      bar = Psych.unsafe_load(Psych.dump(foo))
       assert_equal false, bar.implicit
       assert_equal "!ruby/object:Psych::TestCoder::InitApi", bar.tag
       assert_equal Psych::Nodes::Mapping::BLOCK, bar.style
@@ -198,7 +198,7 @@ def test_dump_encode_with
 
     def test_dump_init_with
       foo = InitApi.new
-      bar = Psych.load(Psych.dump(foo))
+      bar = Psych.unsafe_load(Psych.dump(foo))
       assert_equal foo.a, bar.a
       assert_equal foo.b, bar.b
       assert_nil bar.c
diff --git a/test/psych/test_date_time.rb b/test/psych/test_date_time.rb
index f73f3462..6f1e8b50 100644
--- a/test/psych/test_date_time.rb
+++ b/test/psych/test_date_time.rb
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ def test_non_utc
     def test_timezone_offset
       times = [Time.new(2017, 4, 13, 12, 0, 0, "+09:00"),
                Time.new(2017, 4, 13, 12, 0, 0, "-05:00")]
-      cycled = Psych::load(Psych.dump times)
+      cycled = Psych::unsafe_load(Psych.dump times)
       assert_match(/12:00:00 \+0900/, cycled.first.to_s)
       assert_match(/12:00:00 -0500/,  cycled.last.to_s)
     end
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ def test_datetime_non_utc
     def test_datetime_timezone_offset
       times = [DateTime.new(2017, 4, 13, 12, 0, 0, "+09:00"),
                DateTime.new(2017, 4, 13, 12, 0, 0, "-05:00")]
-      cycled = Psych::load(Psych.dump times)
+      cycled = Psych::unsafe_load(Psych.dump times)
       assert_match(/12:00:00\+09:00/, cycled.first.to_s)
       assert_match(/12:00:00-05:00/,  cycled.last.to_s)
     end
diff --git a/test/psych/test_deprecated.rb b/test/psych/test_deprecated.rb
index 624f4379..af337990 100644
--- a/test/psych/test_deprecated.rb
+++ b/test/psych/test_deprecated.rb
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ def to_yaml opts = {}
     def test_recursive_quick_emit_encode_with
       qeew = QuickEmitterEncodeWith.new
       hash  = { :qe => qeew }
-      hash2 = Psych.load Psych.dump hash
+      hash2 = Psych.unsafe_load Psych.dump hash
       qe    = hash2[:qe]
 
       assert_equal qeew.name, qe.name
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ def yaml_initialize tag, vals
     # receive the yaml_initialize call.
     def test_yaml_initialize_and_init_with
       hash  = { :yi => YamlInitAndInitWith.new }
-      hash2 = Psych.load Psych.dump hash
+      hash2 = Psych.unsafe_load Psych.dump hash
       yi    = hash2[:yi]
 
       assert_equal 'TGIF!', yi.name
diff --git a/test/psych/test_exception.rb b/test/psych/test_exception.rb
index 4d76081e..d2ae76a7 100644
--- a/test/psych/test_exception.rb
+++ b/test/psych/test_exception.rb
@@ -33,13 +33,13 @@ def make_ex msg = 'oh no!'
 
     def test_backtrace
       err     = make_ex
-      new_err = Psych.load(Psych.dump(err))
+      new_err = Psych.unsafe_load(Psych.dump(err))
       assert_equal err.backtrace, new_err.backtrace
     end
 
     def test_naming_exception
       err     = String.xxx rescue $!
-      new_err = Psych.load(Psych.dump(err))
+      new_err = Psych.unsafe_load(Psych.dump(err))
       assert_equal err.message, new_err.message
     end
 
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ def test_load_takes_file
 
       # deprecated interface
       ex = assert_raise(Psych::SyntaxError) do
-        Psych.load '--- `', 'deprecated'
+        Psych.unsafe_load '--- `', 'deprecated'
       end
       assert_equal 'deprecated', ex.file
     end
@@ -165,7 +165,7 @@ def test_attributes
     end
 
     def test_convert
-      w = Psych.load(Psych.dump(@wups))
+      w = Psych.unsafe_load(Psych.dump(@wups))
       assert_equal @wups.message, w.message
       assert_equal @wups.backtrace, w.backtrace
       assert_equal 1, w.foo
diff --git a/test/psych/test_hash.rb b/test/psych/test_hash.rb
index 32ed7ec6..53747813 100644
--- a/test/psych/test_hash.rb
+++ b/test/psych/test_hash.rb
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ def setup
     def test_hash_with_ivar
       t1 = HashWithIvar.new
       t1[:foo] = :bar
-      t2 = Psych.load(Psych.dump(t1))
+      t2 = Psych.unsafe_load(Psych.dump(t1))
       assert_equal t1, t2
       assert_cycle t1
     end
@@ -54,14 +54,14 @@ def test_referenced_hash_with_ivar
     def test_custom_initialized
       a = [1,2,3,4,5]
       t1 = HashWithCustomInit.new(a)
-      t2 = Psych.load(Psych.dump(t1))
+      t2 = Psych.unsafe_load(Psych.dump(t1))
       assert_equal t1, t2
       assert_cycle t1
     end
 
     def test_custom_initialize_no_ivar
       t1 = HashWithCustomInitNoIvar.new(nil)
-      t2 = Psych.load(Psych.dump(t1))
+      t2 = Psych.unsafe_load(Psych.dump(t1))
       assert_equal t1, t2
       assert_cycle t1
     end
@@ -70,25 +70,25 @@ def test_hash_subclass_with_ivars
       x = X.new
       x[:a] = 'b'
       x.instance_variable_set :@foo, 'bar'
-      dup = Psych.load Psych.dump x
+      dup = Psych.unsafe_load Psych.dump x
       assert_cycle x
       assert_equal 'bar', dup.instance_variable_get(:@foo)
       assert_equal X, dup.class
     end
 
     def test_load_with_class_syck_compatibility
-      hash = Psych.load "--- !ruby/object:Hash\n:user_id: 7\n:username: Lucas\n"
+      hash = Psych.unsafe_load "--- !ruby/object:Hash\n:user_id: 7\n:username: Lucas\n"
       assert_equal({ user_id: 7, username: 'Lucas'}, hash)
     end
 
     def test_empty_subclass
       assert_match "!ruby/hash:#{X}", Psych.dump(X.new)
-      x = Psych.load Psych.dump X.new
+      x = Psych.unsafe_load Psych.dump X.new
       assert_equal X, x.class
     end
 
     def test_map
-      x = Psych.load "--- !map:#{X} { }\n"
+      x = Psych.unsafe_load "--- !map:#{X} { }\n"
       assert_equal X, x.class
     end
 
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ def test_cycles
     end
 
     def test_ref_append
-      hash = Psych.load(<<-eoyml)
+      hash = Psych.unsafe_load(<<-eoyml)
 ---
 foo: &foo
   hello: world
diff --git a/test/psych/test_marshalable.rb b/test/psych/test_marshalable.rb
index 152cc4e1..74ee9028 100644
--- a/test/psych/test_marshalable.rb
+++ b/test/psych/test_marshalable.rb
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ module Psych
   class TestMarshalable < TestCase
     def test_objects_defining_marshal_dump_and_marshal_load_can_be_dumped
       sd = SimpleDelegator.new(1)
-      loaded = Psych.load(Psych.dump(sd))
+      loaded = Psych.unsafe_load(Psych.dump(sd))
 
       assert_instance_of(SimpleDelegator, loaded)
       assert_equal(sd, loaded)
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ def class
 
     def test_init_with_takes_priority_over_marshal_methods
       obj = PsychCustomMarshalable.new(1)
-      loaded = Psych.load(Psych.dump(obj))
+      loaded = Psych.unsafe_load(Psych.dump(obj))
 
       assert(PsychCustomMarshalable === loaded)
       assert_equal(2, loaded.foo)
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ def test_init_with_takes_priority_over_marshal_methods
 
     def test_init_symbolize_names
       obj = PsychCustomMarshalable.new(1)
-      loaded = Psych.load(Psych.dump(obj), symbolize_names: true)
+      loaded = Psych.unsafe_load(Psych.dump(obj), symbolize_names: true)
 
       assert(PsychCustomMarshalable === loaded)
       assert_equal(2, loaded.foo)
diff --git a/test/psych/test_merge_keys.rb b/test/psych/test_merge_keys.rb
index 24f2d626..dcf4f1fc 100644
--- a/test/psych/test_merge_keys.rb
+++ b/test/psych/test_merge_keys.rb
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ def test_roundtrip_with_chevron_key
     end
 
     def test_explicit_string
-      doc = Psych.load <<-eoyml
+      doc = Psych.unsafe_load <<-eoyml
 a: &me { hello: world }
 b: { !!str '<<': *me }
 eoyml
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ def test_mergekey_with_object
   !ruby/object:#{Product.name}
   <<: *foo
       eoyml
-      hash = Psych.load s
+      hash = Psych.unsafe_load s
       assert_equal({"bar" => 10}, hash["foo"])
       product = hash["product"]
       assert_equal 10, product.bar
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ def test_merge_nil
 development:
   <<: *defaults
       eoyml
-      assert_equal({'<<' => nil }, Psych.load(yaml)['development'])
+      assert_equal({'<<' => nil }, Psych.unsafe_load(yaml)['development'])
     end
 
     def test_merge_array
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ def test_merge_array
 baz:
   <<: *hello
       eoyml
-      assert_equal({'<<' => [1]}, Psych.load(yaml)['baz'])
+      assert_equal({'<<' => [1]}, Psych.unsafe_load(yaml)['baz'])
     end
 
     def test_merge_is_not_partial
@@ -89,9 +89,9 @@ def test_merge_is_not_partial
 baz:
   <<: [*hello, *default]
       eoyml
-      doc = Psych.load yaml
+      doc = Psych.unsafe_load yaml
       refute doc['baz'].key? 'hello'
-      assert_equal({'<<' => [[1], {"hello"=>"world"}]}, Psych.load(yaml)['baz'])
+      assert_equal({'<<' => [[1], {"hello"=>"world"}]}, Psych.unsafe_load(yaml)['baz'])
     end
 
     def test_merge_seq_nil
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ def test_merge_seq_nil
 baz:
   <<: [*hello]
       eoyml
-      assert_equal({'<<' => [nil]}, Psych.load(yaml)['baz'])
+      assert_equal({'<<' => [nil]}, Psych.unsafe_load(yaml)['baz'])
     end
 
     def test_bad_seq_merge
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ def test_bad_seq_merge
 development:
   <<: *defaults
       eoyml
-      assert_equal({'<<' => [1,2,3]}, Psych.load(yaml)['development'])
+      assert_equal({'<<' => [1,2,3]}, Psych.unsafe_load(yaml)['development'])
     end
 
     def test_missing_merge_key
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ def test_merge_key
       hash = {
         "foo" => { "hello" => "world"},
         "bar" => { "hello" => "world", "baz" => "boo" } }
-      assert_equal hash, Psych.load(yaml)
+      assert_equal hash, Psych.unsafe_load(yaml)
     end
 
     def test_multiple_maps
@@ -159,7 +159,7 @@ def test_multiple_maps
         'label' => 'center/big'
       }
 
-      assert_equal hash, Psych.load(yaml)[4]
+      assert_equal hash, Psych.unsafe_load(yaml)[4]
     end
 
     def test_override
@@ -185,7 +185,7 @@ def test_override
         'label' => 'center/big'
       }
 
-      assert_equal hash, Psych.load(yaml)[4]
+      assert_equal hash, Psych.unsafe_load(yaml)[4]
     end
   end
 end
diff --git a/test/psych/test_object.rb b/test/psych/test_object.rb
index f1c61451..0faf6b24 100644
--- a/test/psych/test_object.rb
+++ b/test/psych/test_object.rb
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ def test_dump_with_tag
 
     def test_tag_round_trip
       tag   = Tagged.new
-      tag2  = Psych.load(Psych.dump(tag))
+      tag2  = Psych.unsafe_load(Psych.dump(tag))
       assert_equal tag.baz, tag2.baz
       assert_instance_of(Tagged, tag2)
     end
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ def test_tag_round_trip
     def test_cyclic_references
       foo = Foo.new(nil)
       foo.parent = foo
-      loaded = Psych.load Psych.dump foo
+      loaded = Psych.unsafe_load Psych.dump foo
 
       assert_instance_of(Foo, loaded)
       assert_equal loaded, loaded.parent
diff --git a/test/psych/test_object_references.rb b/test/psych/test_object_references.rb
index ca69c7d2..269d7224 100644
--- a/test/psych/test_object_references.rb
+++ b/test/psych/test_object_references.rb
@@ -34,12 +34,16 @@ def test_struct_has_references
     def assert_reference_trip obj
       yml = Psych.dump([obj, obj])
       assert_match(/\*-?\d+/, yml)
-      data = Psych.load yml
+      begin
+        data = Psych.load yml
+      rescue Psych::DisallowedClass
+        data = Psych.unsafe_load yml
+      end
       assert_equal data.first.object_id, data.last.object_id
     end
 
     def test_float_references
-      data = Psych.load <<-eoyml
+      data = Psych.unsafe_load <<-eoyml
 ---\s
 - &name 1.2
 - *name
@@ -49,7 +53,7 @@ def test_float_references
     end
 
     def test_binary_references
-      data = Psych.load <<-eoyml
+      data = Psych.unsafe_load <<-eoyml
 ---
 - &name !binary |-
   aGVsbG8gd29ybGQh
@@ -60,7 +64,7 @@ def test_binary_references
     end
 
     def test_regexp_references
-      data = Psych.load <<-eoyml
+      data = Psych.unsafe_load <<-eoyml
 ---\s
 - &name !ruby/regexp /pattern/i
 - *name
diff --git a/test/psych/test_omap.rb b/test/psych/test_omap.rb
index 98636ded..6de02864 100644
--- a/test/psych/test_omap.rb
+++ b/test/psych/test_omap.rb
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 module Psych
   class TestOmap < TestCase
     def test_parse_as_map
-      o = Psych.load "--- !!omap\na: 1\nb: 2"
+      o = Psych.unsafe_load "--- !!omap\na: 1\nb: 2"
       assert_kind_of Psych::Omap, o
       assert_equal 1, o['a']
       assert_equal 2, o['b']
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ def test_self_referential
       map = Psych::Omap.new
       map['foo'] = 'bar'
       map['self'] = map
-      assert_equal(map, Psych.load(Psych.dump(map)))
+      assert_equal(map, Psych.unsafe_load(Psych.dump(map)))
     end
 
     def test_keys
diff --git a/test/psych/test_psych.rb b/test/psych/test_psych.rb
index 9eea4a0f..912bcb9a 100644
--- a/test/psych/test_psych.rb
+++ b/test/psych/test_psych.rb
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ def test_parse_with_fallback
 
   def test_non_existing_class_on_deserialize
     e = assert_raise(ArgumentError) do
-      Psych.load("--- !ruby/object:NonExistent\nfoo: 1")
+      Psych.unsafe_load("--- !ruby/object:NonExistent\nfoo: 1")
     end
     assert_equal 'undefined class/module NonExistent', e.message
   end
@@ -222,28 +222,28 @@ def test_load_freeze_deduplication
   end
 
   def test_load_default_fallback
-    assert_equal false, Psych.load("")
+    assert_equal false, Psych.unsafe_load("")
   end
 
   def test_load_with_fallback
-    assert_equal 42, Psych.load("", "file", fallback: 42)
+    assert_equal 42, Psych.load("", filename: "file", fallback: 42)
   end
 
   def test_load_with_fallback_nil_or_false
-    assert_nil Psych.load("", "file", fallback: nil)
-    assert_equal false, Psych.load("", "file", fallback: false)
+    assert_nil Psych.load("", filename: "file", fallback: nil)
+    assert_equal false, Psych.load("", filename: "file", fallback: false)
   end
 
   def test_load_with_fallback_hash
-    assert_equal Hash.new, Psych.load("", "file", fallback: Hash.new)
+    assert_equal Hash.new, Psych.load("", filename: "file", fallback: Hash.new)
   end
 
   def test_load_with_fallback_for_nil
-    assert_nil Psych.load("--- null", "file", fallback: 42)
+    assert_nil Psych.unsafe_load("--- null", "file", fallback: 42)
   end
 
   def test_load_with_fallback_for_false
-    assert_equal false, Psych.load("--- false", "file", fallback: 42)
+    assert_equal false, Psych.unsafe_load("--- false", "file", fallback: 42)
   end
 
   def test_load_file
@@ -278,7 +278,7 @@ def test_load_file_symbolize_names
 
   def test_load_file_default_fallback
     Tempfile.create(['empty', 'yml']) {|t|
-      assert_equal false, Psych.load_file(t.path)
+      assert_equal false, Psych.unsafe_load_file(t.path)
     }
   end
 
@@ -347,9 +347,9 @@ def test_parse_file_default_fallback
   end
 
   def test_degenerate_strings
-    assert_equal false, Psych.load('    ')
+    assert_equal false, Psych.unsafe_load('    ')
     assert_equal false, Psych.parse('   ')
-    assert_equal false, Psych.load('')
+    assert_equal false, Psych.unsafe_load('')
     assert_equal false, Psych.parse('')
   end
 
diff --git a/test/psych/test_ractor.rb b/test/psych/test_ractor.rb
index 61b80a12..1b0d8106 100644
--- a/test/psych/test_ractor.rb
+++ b/test/psych/test_ractor.rb
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ def test_ractor_round_trip
     assert_ractor(<<~RUBY, require_relative: 'helper')
       obj = {foo: [42]}
       obj2 = Ractor.new(obj) do |obj|
-        Psych.load(Psych.dump(obj))
+        Psych.unsafe_load(Psych.dump(obj))
       end.take
       assert_equal obj, obj2
     RUBY
diff --git a/test/psych/test_serialize_subclasses.rb b/test/psych/test_serialize_subclasses.rb
index 8e1d0d35..344c79b3 100644
--- a/test/psych/test_serialize_subclasses.rb
+++ b/test/psych/test_serialize_subclasses.rb
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ def == other
 
     def test_some_object
       so = SomeObject.new('foo', [1,2,3])
-      assert_equal so, Psych.load(Psych.dump(so))
+      assert_equal so, Psych.unsafe_load(Psych.dump(so))
     end
 
     class StructSubclass < Struct.new(:foo)
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ def == other
 
     def test_struct_subclass
       so = StructSubclass.new('foo', [1,2,3])
-      assert_equal so, Psych.load(Psych.dump(so))
+      assert_equal so, Psych.unsafe_load(Psych.dump(so))
     end
   end
 end
diff --git a/test/psych/test_set.rb b/test/psych/test_set.rb
index 5690957e..87944d83 100644
--- a/test/psych/test_set.rb
+++ b/test/psych/test_set.rb
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ def test_roundtrip
     ###
     # FIXME: Syck should also support !!set as shorthand
     def test_load_from_yaml
-      loaded = Psych.load(<<-eoyml)
+      loaded = Psych.unsafe_load(<<-eoyml)
 --- !set
 foo: bar
 bar: baz
@@ -30,11 +30,11 @@ def test_load_from_yaml
     end
 
     def test_loaded_class
-      assert_instance_of(Psych::Set, Psych.load(Psych.dump(@set)))
+      assert_instance_of(Psych::Set, Psych.unsafe_load(Psych.dump(@set)))
     end
 
     def test_set_shorthand
-      loaded = Psych.load(<<-eoyml)
+      loaded = Psych.unsafe_load(<<-eoyml)
 --- !!set
 foo: bar
 bar: baz
diff --git a/test/psych/test_string.rb b/test/psych/test_string.rb
index 973f38b9..20ab79c0 100644
--- a/test/psych/test_string.rb
+++ b/test/psych/test_string.rb
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ def test_float_with_no_fractional_before_exponent
     end
 
     def test_string_subclass_with_anchor
-      y = Psych.load <<-eoyml
+      y = Psych.unsafe_load <<-eoyml
 ---
 body:
   string: &70121654388580 !ruby/string
@@ -116,7 +116,7 @@ def test_string_subclass_with_anchor
     end
 
     def test_self_referential_string
-      y = Psych.load <<-eoyml
+      y = Psych.unsafe_load <<-eoyml
 ---
 string: &70121654388580 !ruby/string
   str: ! 'foo'
@@ -129,32 +129,32 @@ def test_self_referential_string
     end
 
     def test_another_subclass_with_attributes
-      y = Psych.load Psych.dump Y.new("foo").tap {|o| o.val = 1}
+      y = Psych.unsafe_load Psych.dump Y.new("foo").tap {|o| o.val = 1}
       assert_equal "foo", y
       assert_equal Y, y.class
       assert_equal 1, y.val
     end
 
     def test_backwards_with_syck
-      x = Psych.load "--- !str:#{X.name} foo\n\n"
+      x = Psych.unsafe_load "--- !str:#{X.name} foo\n\n"
       assert_equal X, x.class
       assert_equal 'foo', x
     end
 
     def test_empty_subclass
       assert_match "!ruby/string:#{X}", Psych.dump(X.new)
-      x = Psych.load Psych.dump X.new
+      x = Psych.unsafe_load Psych.dump X.new
       assert_equal X, x.class
     end
 
     def test_empty_character_subclass
       assert_match "!ruby/string:#{Z}", Psych.dump(Z.new)
-      x = Psych.load Psych.dump Z.new
+      x = Psych.unsafe_load Psych.dump Z.new
       assert_equal Z, x.class
     end
 
     def test_subclass_with_attributes
-      y = Psych.load Psych.dump Y.new.tap {|o| o.val = 1}
+      y = Psych.unsafe_load Psych.dump Y.new.tap {|o| o.val = 1}
       assert_equal Y, y.class
       assert_equal 1, y.val
     end
diff --git a/test/psych/test_struct.rb b/test/psych/test_struct.rb
index 721df442..1479798b 100644
--- a/test/psych/test_struct.rb
+++ b/test/psych/test_struct.rb
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ def test_self_referential_struct
       ss = StructSubclass.new(nil, 'foo')
       ss.foo = ss
 
-      loaded = Psych.load(Psych.dump(ss))
+      loaded = Psych.unsafe_load(Psych.dump(ss))
       assert_instance_of(StructSubclass, loaded.foo)
 
       assert_equal(ss, loaded)
@@ -30,14 +30,14 @@ def test_self_referential_struct
 
     def test_roundtrip
       thing = PsychStructWithIvar.new('bar')
-      struct = Psych.load(Psych.dump(thing))
+      struct = Psych.unsafe_load(Psych.dump(thing))
 
       assert_equal 'hello', struct.bar
       assert_equal 'bar', struct.foo
     end
 
     def test_load
-      obj = Psych.load(<<-eoyml)
+      obj = Psych.unsafe_load(<<-eoyml)
 --- !ruby/struct:PsychStructWithIvar
 :foo: bar
 :@bar: hello
diff --git a/test/psych/test_yaml.rb b/test/psych/test_yaml.rb
index b16a00f6..e12b9769 100644
--- a/test/psych/test_yaml.rb
+++ b/test/psych/test_yaml.rb
@@ -573,7 +573,7 @@ def test_spec_root_fold
 	end
 
 	def test_spec_root_mapping
-		y = Psych::load( <<EOY
+		y = Psych::unsafe_load( <<EOY
 # This stream is an example of a top-level mapping.
 invoice : 34843
 date    : 2001-01-23
@@ -1077,7 +1077,7 @@ def test_ruby_rational
 
 		# Read Psych dumped by the ruby 1.8.3.
 		assert_to_yaml( Rational(1, 2), "!ruby/object:Rational 1/2\n" )
-		assert_raise( ArgumentError ) { Psych.load("!ruby/object:Rational INVALID/RATIONAL\n") }
+		assert_raise( ArgumentError ) { Psych.unsafe_load("!ruby/object:Rational INVALID/RATIONAL\n") }
 	end
 
 	def test_ruby_complex
@@ -1089,7 +1089,7 @@ def test_ruby_complex
 
 		# Read Psych dumped by the ruby 1.8.3.
 		assert_to_yaml( Complex(3, 4), "!ruby/object:Complex 3+4i\n" )
-		assert_raise( ArgumentError ) { Psych.load("!ruby/object:Complex INVALID+COMPLEXi\n") }
+		assert_raise( ArgumentError ) { Psych.unsafe_load("!ruby/object:Complex INVALID+COMPLEXi\n") }
 	end
 
 	def test_emitting_indicators
@@ -1209,7 +1209,7 @@ def test_range_cycle
     def test_circular_references
         a = []; a[0] = a; a[1] = a
         inspect_str = "[[...], [...]]"
-        assert_equal( inspect_str, Psych::load(Psych.dump(a)).inspect )
+        assert_equal( inspect_str, Psych::unsafe_load(Psych.dump(a)).inspect )
     end
 
     #
@@ -1264,11 +1264,11 @@ def test_object_id_collision
     end
 
     def test_date_out_of_range
-      Psych::load('1900-01-01T00:00:00+00:00')
+      Psych::unsafe_load('1900-01-01T00:00:00+00:00')
     end
 
     def test_normal_exit
-      Psych.load("2000-01-01 00:00:00.#{"0"*1000} +00:00\n")
+      Psych.unsafe_load("2000-01-01 00:00:00.#{"0"*1000} +00:00\n")
       # '[ruby-core:13735]'
     end
 
diff --git a/test/psych/test_yaml_special_cases.rb b/test/psych/test_yaml_special_cases.rb
index eccbac4c..205457bc 100644
--- a/test/psych/test_yaml_special_cases.rb
+++ b/test/psych/test_yaml_special_cases.rb
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ def setup
 
     def test_empty_string
       s = ""
-      assert_equal false, Psych.load(s)
+      assert_equal false, Psych.unsafe_load(s)
       assert_equal [], Psych.load_stream(s)
       assert_equal false, Psych.parse(s)
       assert_equal [], Psych.parse_stream(s).transform
diff --git a/test/psych/test_yamlstore.rb b/test/psych/test_yamlstore.rb
index 1cd3ec4b..1a1be370 100644
--- a/test/psych/test_yamlstore.rb
+++ b/test/psych/test_yamlstore.rb
@@ -4,7 +4,22 @@
 require 'tmpdir'
 
 module Psych
-  Psych::Store = YAML::Store unless defined?(Psych::Store)
+  class YAML::Store
+    alias :old_load :load
+
+    def load(content)
+      table = YAML.load(content, fallback: false)
+      if table == false
+        {}
+      else
+        table
+      end
+    end
+  end
+
+  unless defined?(Psych::Store)
+    Psych::Store = YAML::Store
+  end
 
   class YAMLStoreTest < TestCase
     def setup
@@ -24,61 +39,61 @@ def make_tmp_filename(prefix)
 
     def test_opening_new_file_in_readonly_mode_should_result_in_empty_values
       @yamlstore.transaction(true) do
-        assert_nil @yamlstore[:foo]
-        assert_nil @yamlstore[:bar]
+        assert_nil @yamlstore["foo"]
+        assert_nil @yamlstore["bar"]
       end
     end
 
     def test_opening_new_file_in_readwrite_mode_should_result_in_empty_values
       @yamlstore.transaction do
-        assert_nil @yamlstore[:foo]
-        assert_nil @yamlstore[:bar]
+        assert_nil @yamlstore["foo"]
+        assert_nil @yamlstore["bar"]
       end
     end
 
     def test_data_should_be_loaded_correctly_when_in_readonly_mode
       @yamlstore.transaction do
-        @yamlstore[:foo] = "bar"
+        @yamlstore["foo"] = "bar"
       end
       @yamlstore.transaction(true) do
-        assert_equal "bar", @yamlstore[:foo]
+        assert_equal "bar", @yamlstore["foo"]
       end
     end
 
     def test_data_should_be_loaded_correctly_when_in_readwrite_mode
       @yamlstore.transaction do
-        @yamlstore[:foo] = "bar"
+        @yamlstore["foo"] = "bar"
       end
       @yamlstore.transaction do
-        assert_equal "bar", @yamlstore[:foo]
+        assert_equal "bar", @yamlstore["foo"]
       end
     end
 
     def test_changes_after_commit_are_discarded
       @yamlstore.transaction do
-        @yamlstore[:foo] = "bar"
+        @yamlstore["foo"] = "bar"
         @yamlstore.commit
-        @yamlstore[:foo] = "baz"
+        @yamlstore["foo"] = "baz"
       end
       @yamlstore.transaction(true) do
-        assert_equal "bar", @yamlstore[:foo]
+        assert_equal "bar", @yamlstore["foo"]
       end
     end
 
     def test_changes_are_not_written_on_abort
       @yamlstore.transaction do
-        @yamlstore[:foo] = "bar"
+        @yamlstore["foo"] = "bar"
         @yamlstore.abort
       end
       @yamlstore.transaction(true) do
-        assert_nil @yamlstore[:foo]
+        assert_nil @yamlstore["foo"]
       end
     end
 
     def test_writing_inside_readonly_transaction_raises_error
       assert_raise(PStore::Error) do
         @yamlstore.transaction(true) do
-          @yamlstore[:foo] = "bar"
+          @yamlstore["foo"] = "bar"
         end
       end
     end
diff --git a/test/psych/visitors/test_to_ruby.rb b/test/psych/visitors/test_to_ruby.rb
index e1a0056a..3d4608b9 100644
--- a/test/psych/visitors/test_to_ruby.rb
+++ b/test/psych/visitors/test_to_ruby.rb
@@ -20,13 +20,13 @@ def test_object
       end
 
       def test_tz_00_00_loads_without_error
-        assert Psych.load('1900-01-01T00:00:00+00:00')
+        assert Psych.unsafe_load('1900-01-01T00:00:00+00:00')
       end
 
       def test_legacy_struct
         Struct.send(:remove_const, :AWESOME) if Struct.const_defined?(:AWESOME)
         foo = Struct.new('AWESOME', :bar)
-        assert_equal foo.new('baz'), Psych.load(<<-eoyml)
+        assert_equal foo.new('baz'), Psych.unsafe_load(<<-eoyml)
 !ruby/struct:AWESOME
   bar: baz
         eoyml
diff --git a/test/psych/visitors/test_yaml_tree.rb b/test/psych/visitors/test_yaml_tree.rb
index 2e683086..6a9dbc1e 100644
--- a/test/psych/visitors/test_yaml_tree.rb
+++ b/test/psych/visitors/test_yaml_tree.rb
@@ -62,19 +62,19 @@ def test_struct
 
       def test_struct_anon
         s = Struct.new(:foo).new('bar')
-        obj =  Psych.load(Psych.dump(s))
+        obj =  Psych.unsafe_load(Psych.dump(s))
         assert_equal s.foo, obj.foo
       end
 
       def test_override_method
         s = Struct.new(:method).new('override')
-        obj =  Psych.load(Psych.dump(s))
+        obj =  Psych.unsafe_load(Psych.dump(s))
         assert_equal s.method, obj.method
       end
 
       def test_exception
         ex = Exception.new 'foo'
-        loaded = Psych.load(Psych.dump(ex))
+        loaded = Psych.unsafe_load(Psych.dump(ex))
 
         assert_equal ex.message, loaded.message
         assert_equal ex.class, loaded.class
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ def test_regexp
 
       def test_time
         t = Time.now
-        assert_equal t, Psych.load(Psych.dump(t))
+        assert_equal t, Psych.unsafe_load(Psych.dump(t))
       end
 
       def test_date