By Larry Fayer

The second word used for God and translated “Lord” is ADON or ADONAI.  This word is used about 300 times in the Old Testament.  It describes one who is an owner, master or ruler.  Again, it is used predominately in the plural when referring to the Ruler of the Universe.

The word is also used of men such as Joseph who used it to describe himself in Genesis 45:8 (ESV) “So it was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt.”  Aaron used it to describe Moses in Exodus 32:22 (ESV) “And Aaron said, ‘Let not the anger of my lord burn hot. You know the people, that they are set on evil.'”  Saul recognized David’s voice and said, “Is this your voice, my son David?” And David said, “It is my voice, my lord, O king.” And he said, “Why does my lord pursue after his servant? For what have I done?”   David used it to describe King Saul in 1 Samuel 26:17-19.

It is also used of the God of the universe.  David often used it to describe our God as he did in Psalm 86:4 Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.    Moses used the word as he talked to God in Exodus 4:13 (ESV) “But he said, ‘Oh, my Lord, please send someone else.’”

When used in this sense it is describing the owner, master and ruler of the universe, our Lord and God.  The writer of Psalm 135:5 expressed this thought very well: “For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods.” 

There is a true sense of awesomeness as we think about the fact that  “our Lord is above all gods!”