And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.
Ver. 5. And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins.] Symbolum Regis hoc est, saith Scultetus. Kings and princes have their scita in scutis, their mottoes on their shields; so hath our king here, viz., "Righteousness and faithfulness"; and this is so manifest as if written on his girdle, a or belt, see Revelation 19:16; where, for like cause, Christ's high titles are written "on his vesture, and on his thigh." Others by this expression understand Christ's alacrity and promptitude to vindicate his elect, and to punish the wicked, according to his promise, Vaticinatur de Christi solertia in obeundis regni Dei negotiis, ac tribuit illi cincturam, seu industriam spiritualem pro qualilate obeundae dispensationis. b Let us also, Christ-like, "gird up the loins of our minds; be sober, and hope perfectly." 1Pe 1:13 Gird ourselves, and serve him, Luk 17:8 readily, nimbly, handsomely, and hardily. A loose, discinct, and diffluent (fluid) mind is unfit for God's service.
a The belt is put for a kingly ensign. Calvin. Job 12:18
b Zeged.