O Adonai

The second O Antiphon:

O Adonai and 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. Amen.

The Lord made Himself known to Moses by telling him His name (I AM). The holy name in this antiphon (Adonai) will always remind us of the great deeds God has done for the deliverance of Israel. And, more significantly, it puts us in the context of the paschal mystery, for the coming of the Son who dies on the cross is the ultimate manifestation of God’s redemptive work.

With righteousness He shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips He shall kill the wicked. Righteousness shall be the belt of His waist, and faithfulness the belt of His loins. [Isaiah 11:4-5] 

For the LORD is our judge; the LORD is our lawgiver; the LORD is our king; He will save us. [Isaiah 33:22]

O come, O come, Thou Lord of might,

Who to Thy tribes on Sinai's height

In ancient times didst give the Law

In cloud and majesty and awe.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel!

[LSB 357, stanza 3]