I introduced in yesterday’s Prayers from the Cloud the first of the seven Great Antiphons. These “O Antiphons,” as they are sometimes called, originated in the ninth century as titles for Jesus sung and recited during Advent as monks remembered Christ’s first coming at Bethlehem and readied themselves for his return. We focused on the first antiphon, “O Wisdom,” yesterday. Today, we turn our attention to Jesus as “O Adonai.” There are two primary Hebrew names for God in the Old Testament that translate “Lord.” The first name, Yahweh, is the divine title God gave to Moses at the burning bush (Ex. 3.14). The second name, Adonai, has equal prominence and a fascinating etymology. Adon in its singular form, meaning master or lord, can be used either of God or people. Its plural form, Adonai, amplifies the name and gives it added prominence. God is Lord (Adonai) over all lords (Adon). The name also appears most often in Scripture with a possessive pronoun. God is not only Lord over all but also “my Lord” and “our Lord.” Most English Bibles distinguish between the two names by capitalizing all letters in LORD as it relates to Yahweh while capitalizing only the first letter in Lord when it refers to Adonai. Psalm 8 uses both names for God in sequential fashion. The Psalm opens with the words, “LORD (Yahweh), our Lord (Adonai), how majestic is your name in all the earth” (Ps. 8.1). In the New Testament, these two names for God also correlate to Jesus. The church’s earliest creed is the simple yet profound affirmation that “Jesus Christ is Lord.” Paul writes in his letter to the Philippians, “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, and every tongue confess that ‘Jesus Christ is Lord’ to the glory of God the Father” (Phil. 2.9-11). Christ is exalted in Revelation as “the King of all kings and the Lord of all lords” (Rev. 17.14; 19.16). Perhaps the Hallelujah Chorus is now replaying in your mind! As the second antiphon reminds us, Jesus is both my Lord and our Lord. We revere him as the Lord of all lords. Today, we join the ancient church in praying:
O Adonai
O Adonai, ruler of the house of Israel, who appeared to Moses in the burning bush and gave him the Law on Sinai: Come with an outstretched arm and redeem us.
Rev. Dr. Peter James served 42 years as the senior of Vienna Presbyterian Church in Vienna, VA — 21 years in the 20th century and 21 years in the 21st century. He retired in 2021 and now serves as Pastor-in-Residence at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.
Even as a pastor, prayer came slowly to Pete. Read Pete’s story.