Advent Psalm reading for December 18, 19, & 20: Psalm 125.
In the previous post, Part 1, I reflected on the significance of leaders being accountable to righteousness in Psalm 125. In the Part II, I explored this message in light of the Old Testament liturgy in Malachi 3. Today, I want to look at Ephesians 6.
Reflecting on Righteous Leadership in Psalm 125
Let’s revisit the core message of Psalm 125, emphasizing the crucial role of leadership in maintaining righteousness and the dangers of corruption. Psalm 125 is a short song of ascent meant to recite (sing) as people made pilgrimage to the temple. This psalm carries a message about the heavy responsibility of leadership to stay the course of righteousness. The implications of allowing corruption in is to compromise the way of righteousness for their people.
The Prophetic Echo in Malachi 3
Turning to Malachi 3, we see a continuation of this theme, where the prophet highlights the consequences of straying from righteousness and God’s call for repentance and redemption. By reading the prophets, we discover that even God’s people followed in the way of the wicked and allowed corruption to twist their society. But God offered continual opportunities for repentance and redemption. This was explored in Malachi 3 as a final admonition and message of hope for redemption.
New Testament Insights: Ephesians 6
One of the New Testament passages that accompany the Psalm 125 liturgy is Ephesians 6:10-17, a passage about arming oneself with divine protection—the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness. This passage speaks of powerful forces that are more devastating than any perceived human enemy. It echoes the warning in Psalm 125 which may also be read, Let not the scepter of the wicked remain over the land of the righteous lest the righteous set their hands to doing evil. It is an apt warning for many countries and people groups today. Once corruption and wickedness creeps in, people follow the way of the wicked, a path that is not sustainable. In our exploration of the New Testament, specifically Ephesians 6:10-17, we find parallels to Psalm 125’s message, focusing on the spiritual armor necessary to combat the forces that threaten righteousness.
Modern Implications of Ancient Wisdom
In sum, these Advent readings from Psalm 125, Malachi 3, and Ephesians 6 collectively offer us timeless wisdom on the importance of righteous leadership, the dangers of moral corruption, and the necessity of spiritual fortitude. They encourage us to reflect deeply on our own paths and the leadership we follow or provide. As we continue our Advent journey, let these scriptures guide us in cultivating a community and society grounded in truth, righteousness, and steadfastness against the forces that seek to lead us astray.
Coming Up on Advent Psalm Reflection
In the next post, I will begin an Advent reflection on the next psalm in the liturgy.
This entire series and a link to the liturgical readings on the Advent Psalm Reflections page.
*The translations are JPS from Sefaria.org
Dr. Erica Mongé-Greer, holding a PhD in Divinity from the University of Aberdeen, is a distinguished researcher and educator specializing in Biblical Ethics, Mythopoeia, and Resistance Theory. Her work focuses on justice in ancient religious texts, notably reinterpreting Psalm 82’s ethics in the Hebrew Bible, with her findings currently under peer review.
In addition to her academic research, Dr. Mongé-Greer is an experienced University instructor, having taught various biblical studies courses. Her teaching philosophy integrates theoretical discussions with practical insights, promoting an inclusive and dynamic learning environment.
Her ongoing projects include a book on religious themes in the series Battlestar Galactica and further research in biblical ethics, showcasing her dedication to interdisciplinary studies that blend religion with contemporary issues.