The Church offers to us the words “O Adonai” for the second antiphon in the final week of Advent. This antiphon is recited/sung on December 18 and refers to a common title of God in the Old Testament.
The current translation of this antiphon is below.
O Leader of the House of Israel,
giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai:
come to rescue us with your mighty power!
In the original Latin it begins, “O Adonai, et dux domus Israël.”
This word is found frequently in the Old Testament, as the word “Adonai” is a Hebrew word for LORD. In the Old Testament this word can be found roughly 450 times.
Additionally, the antiphon makes a reference to “O Leader of the House of Israel.” This line also has many biblical references.
For the Lord is our judge,
Isaiah 33:22
the Lord is our lawgiver,
the Lord is our king;
he it is who will save us.
I am the Lord. I will free you from the burdens of the Egyptians and will deliver you from their slavery. I will redeem you by my outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment.
Exodus 6:6
But you, Bethlehem-Ephrathah
Micah 5:1
least among the clans of Judah,
From you shall come forth for me
one who is to be ruler in Israel.
These bible verses summarize that Jesus is our Lord and Leader, who has come to save us.
