Matthew Poole and continuators on Joel 1:8

8 ¶ Lament like a virgin girded with sackcloth for the husband of her youth .

This is minatory, and threatens calamitous times shall come, as well as directive, what to do when they are come, when God calls for weeping, we must not rejoyce.

This tells us to whom the Prophet directs this part of his Sermon, 'tis to those who amidst the Iews were like chast and modest Virgins, whose heart was fixed on one, her own, her chosen beloved Husband.

In deep mournings the people of those Countries did use sackcloth in their mourning habit, and wore it girded close to their skin.

Either married to her in youth, or espoused to her, but snatcht away from her by an untimely death, which she doth most bitterly lament.

The vicious and wicked among the Iews were alarmed and threatned in the former part of the Chapter; Now the Prophet bespeaks the good and Godly among them to prepare for mournful times.