O Adonai: O Lord

Yesterday I posted the first of the refrains ('antiphons') used to accompany Mary's Song (the Magnificat) at Evening Prayer during the last 7 days of Advent.

The second, used this evening is 'O Adonai'. One English translation is:

"O Adonai and leader of the House of Israel, 

who appeared to Moses in the fire of the burning bush 

and gave him the law on Sinai: 

Come and redeem us with an outstretched arm."

'Adonai' is generally translated as 'Lord' - it stands for the personal name of God, revealed to Moses, represented by 4 letters in the Hebrew scriptures and considered too holy to be spoken.

Once again Malcolm Guite has a sonnet inspired by today's Antiphon and the Bible readings that are its basis (Exodus 3:2; Exodus 24:12; Isaiah 11: 45; Isaiah 22:22)

There's a reflection with some wonderful images on the blog of Blue Eyed Ennis, based on today's antiphon.

And for listening, looking and praying I like this version of O Adonai on Youtube

Image of burning bush credit: Monks with a Mission website here