In Psalm 18:33 the psalmist states, "It is he who girded my loins with might and made my way perfect". This metaphor invites us to imagine a warrior who is preparing himself, binding his waist as a symbol of readiness to face the struggle. In ancient times, girdling one's loins meant preparing to run, fight or work hard. But interestingly, it was not the psalmist who girded his loins himself, but God who did it for him. This is a symbol of strength that comes from outside the self, a strength that is not the result of ego, but grace.

As human beings, there are times when we feel burdened to be strong, courageous, and not fragile amidst the pressures of life. The world demands resilience that sometimes forces us to wear a "mask of strength". But Psalm 18:26-37 provides an alternative, true strength is not that which is forced from within, but that which is given and “bound” by God to our inner being. Strength here does not mean never being afraid, but being able to stand firm because there is One who sustains us from behind the scenes of our existence. It speaks of a steadfastness of inner strength that is shaped not by ambition, but by love and connection with God.

The girdling of the loins also means the act of centering oneself and reorienting one's life. Just as a pilgrim girdles his loins before a long walk, man needs existential affirmation before treading the path of his vocation. However, the path is not always level. So the psalmist not only says that God strengthens, but also that God's way is perfect. This is the mystery of faith, that true strength is not only about who binds our waist, but also who shapes the path in front of us. Life is thus a struggle that happens through divine inclusion in every step.

Friends of the Bible, we are unknowingly shaped by a biased worldview and always glorify power. But in Psalm 18 we learn to embrace our whole being honestly. There is nothing wrong with being honest with our fragility, because perhaps in our weakness God comes as the One who binds our waist with His might. Not so that we become heroes untouched by wounds, but so that we dare to step even with wounds. And in the midst of the unpredictability of life's path, God, in His gentle and mysterious way, levels the path in front of us. True strength, then, is not about being untouched by adversity, but the strength to keep going, because we know who has girded our loins.