Advent Psalm reading for December 21, 22, 23, & 24: Psalm 89.
The Rule of Equity in Psalm 45
Having explored the themes of divine justice in Psalm 89, let’s turn to the New Testament liturgy in Hebrews 1, which references Psalm 45, offering a complementary perspective on God’s equitable rule. God’s divine justice brings joy and makes way for the righteous. It is a just rule that cannot end because it is righteous.
Your divine throne is everlasting;
your royal scepter is a scepter of equity.
You love righteousness and hate wickedness;
rightly has God, your God, chosen to anoint you
with oil of gladness over all your peers.
The Timelessness of God in Psalm 102
While Psalm 45 highlights the joy and righteousness of God’s rule, Psalm 102:25-27, also cited in Hebrews 1, shifts our focus to the enduring nature of God’s love and faithfulness.
I say, “O my God, do not take me away
in the midst of my days,
You whose years go on for generations on end.
Of old You established the earth;
the heavens are the work of Your hands.
They shall perish, but You shall endure;
they shall all wear out like a garment;
You change them like clothing and they pass away.
But You are the same, and Your years never end.
Advent Anticipation: Christ’s Coming and God’s Justice
These scriptural connections beautifully lead us into the heart of the Advent season, where we encounter a dual anticipation: the historical coming of Christ and the promise of a just and everlasting divine reign. Christ was born into human existence to give us hope and context for God’s divine compassionate justice, the very justice that resounds in the liturgy of the Psalter. The second is the promise of an everlasting reign of justice—God’s scepter of equity.
As we reflect upon these intertwined scriptures during the final days of Advent, we are reminded of the profound depth and continuity of God’s love and justice. The birth of Christ symbolizes not just a historical event but also a living testament to God’s enduring commitment to compassion and equity. Christ’s incarnation gives tangible expression to the divine justice echoed throughout the Psalms, offering hope and a renewed understanding of God’s eternal reign. As we commemorate Christ’s birth, let us also embrace the promise of God’s unchanging love and the enduring scepter of equity that guides us towards peace and righteousness. May this Advent season reaffirm our faith in God’s timeless sovereignty and inspire us to live in the light of divine justice and love, now and always.
Coming Up on Advent Psalm Reflection
In the next post, we look at Christmas Eve and the Fourth Sunday of Advent.
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.