“Cast about thee a double garment of the righteousness which cometh from God; and set a diadem on thine head of the glory of the Everlasting.”
Garment. Hebrew, “cloak,” (Sanctius) such as were worn by people under no disgrace, chap. iv. 20. Thamar had one very costly, 2 Kings xiii. 18. (Calmet) — Justice, or mercy. God is bound to fulfill his gracious promises. (Worthington)
“For God will shew thy brightness unto every country under heaven.”
His. Greek, “thy.” Christ, the sun of justice, would effect this, Isaias lx. 1.
“For thy name shall be called of God for ever The peace of righteousness, and The glory of God's worship.”
Piety. Thus shall Jerusalem be distinguished after the captivity; but still more so when Christ shall appear, and give peace to his Church, after the ages of persecution.
“Arise, O Jerusalem, and stand on high, and look about toward the east, and behold thy children gathered from the west unto the east by the word of the Holy One, rejoicing in the remembrance of God.”
Arise. Chap. iv. 36., and Isaias lii. 2. — God. They remember his law with pleasure.
“For they departed from thee on foot, and were led away of their enemies: but God bringeth them unto thee exalted with glory, as children of the kingdom.”
Children. Greek, “the throne.” The return of the captives was a triumph, Isaias xlvi. 20., and xlix. 22. They had abundance of horses, &c., 1 Esdras ii. 66. Darius gave them a convoy of 1000 horsemen. (3 Esdras v. 2.) (Josephus, Antiquities xi. 4.)
“For God hath appointed that every high hill, and banks of long continuance, should be cast down, and valleys filled up, to make even the ground, that Israel may go safely in the glory of God,”
Diligently, without stumbling under the pillar of God’s protection, Isaias xl. 3. (Calmet)
“Moreover even the woods and every sweetsmelling tree shall overshadow Israel by the commandment of God.”
Woods. This is a poetical description. They shall pass through the sands of Arabia, as if they were under a delightful shade.