Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in justice.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 1. King. Ezechias or Josias, as figures of Jesus Christ, who is meant. Calmet.—They and their counsellors only foreshewed the advantages derived from Christ and his apostles in a more abundant manner. Saint Jerome—Judgment and justice. These words have a higher meaning than what is assigned to them by philosophers. In God, the former implies the preparation of the means for man’s redemption, as the latter does the execution; and in man, judgment denotes the selection of what is right, and justice implies the putting it willingly in practice. Thus Christ will fulfill all the he has graciously purposed, with the two other divine persons; and the princes, his pastors, shall discern what is good for their own and people’s eternal welfare. Worthington.