Zephaniah 3:17

Zephaniah 3:17

The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.

a. NLT: For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” [Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.]

b. NIV: The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” [THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.]

c. YLT: Jehovah thy God is in thy midst, A mighty one doth save, He rejoiceth over thee with joy, He doth work in His love, He joyeth over thee with singing.' [The Young's Literal Translation was translated by Robert Young, who believed in a strictly literal translation of God's word. This version of the Bible is in the public domain.]

d. Amplified Bible Classic: The Lord your God is in the midst of you, a Mighty One, a Savior [Who saves]! He will rejoice over you with joy; He will rest [in silent satisfaction] and in His love He will be silent and make no mention [of past sins, or even recall them]; He will exult over you with singing. [Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]

e. Septuagint: The Lord thy God is in thee; the Mighty One shall save thee: he shall bring joy upon thee, and shall refresh thee with his love; and he shall rejoice over thee with delight as in a day of feasting.

f. Stone Edition Torah/Prophets/Writings: HASHEM, your God, is in your midst, the Mighty One Who will save.  He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will be silent with His love; He will be be joyful over you with glad song. [The Artscroll Series/Stone Edition, THE TANACH--STUDENT SIZE EDITION Copyright 1996, 1998 by Mesorah Publications, Ldt.]

1. “The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty…”

a. The LORD [Strong: 3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw' from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord.]

b. [thy] God [Strong: 430 'elohiym el-o-heem' plural of 433; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative:--angels, X exceeding, God (gods)(-dess, -ly), X (very) great, judges, X mighty.]

c. [in the] midst [Strong: 7130 qereb keh'-reb from 7126; properly, the nearest part, i.e. the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition):--X among, X before, bowels, X unto charge, + eat (up), X heart, X him, X in, inward (X -ly, part, -s, thought), midst, + out of, purtenance, X therein, X through, X within self.]

d. [is] mighty [Strong: 1368 gibbowr ghib-bore' or (shortened) gibbor {ghib-bore'}; intensive from the same as 1397; powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant:-- champion, chief, X excel, giant, man, mighty (man, one), strong (man), valiant man.]

1). All of the Commentators agree that this passage Zephaniah 3:8-20 is referring to the Day of the LORD, the Second Coming and the Millennial Reign of Christ. This verse in particular is referring to the beginning of the Millennial reign of Christ, after the Israeli national repentance (Ezekiel 36:25-31), after the mourning period (Zechariah 14:10-14), at the beginning of the reign of Christ on the earth. See note below. However I will also apply this verse to a New Testament inclusion in the context. The Scriptures declare that Jesus is in the midst of believers. Two New Testament witnesses back up this wonderful truth.

a). Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

b). Hebrews 2:11, 12 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, 

2:12 Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. 

c). Hebrews 2:11, 12 is a direct quote from Psalm 22:22. 

d). Psalm 22:22 I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.

(1) An interesting aspect about this verse is the Hebrew word used for the word “praise” in verse 22.

(2) praise [Strong: 1984 * halal haw-lal'; a primitive root; to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously-noisy) foolish; to rave; causatively, to celebrate; also to stultify:--(make) boast (self), celebrate, commend, (deal, make), fool(- ish, -ly), glory, give (light), be (make, feign self) mad (against), give in marriage, (sing, be worthy of) praise, rage, renowned, shine.]

(3) The inspired writer of Hebrews then applies the verse to Jesus, declaring Jesus is in the midst of the church singing praise unto God, but not just singing to God. According to the Hebrew definition of the word “praise”, Jesus is being clamorously noisy, raving, raging praise unto God. What?  Does that mean on a given Sunday morning during praise and worship I can look out in the aisle and see Jesus raving clamorously loud and foolishly? What we need to keep in mind is the verse from Matthew I quoted where he said that when two or three believers age gathered together in his name he’s there, but we also need to realize the New Covenant truth that Christ Jesus is in us and we are in Him, we are His body.

3). The Scriptures also teach that the physical bodies of believers on earth is also the Body of Christ.

a). Ephesians 5:29, 30 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: 

5:30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

b). The point I am making is Jesus in the midst of us singing praise to God through us, we are his body.   

2. “…he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; 

a. he will save [3467 * yasha’] [Blue Letter Bible: to save, be saved, be delivered,  to be liberated, be saved, be delivered, to be saved (in battle), be victorious, to save, deliver, to save from moral troubles, to give victory to.] [Strong: a primitive root; properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e. (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor:--X at all, avenging, defend, deliver(-er), help, preserve, rescue, be safe, bring (having) salvation, save(-iour), get victory.]

b. he will rejoice [7797 * suws] [Blue Letter Bible: to exult, rejoice, to display joy.] [Strong: to be bright, i.e. cheerful:--be glad, X greatly, joy, make mirth, rejoice.]

c. over thee with joy [8057 * simchah] [Gesenius: joy, mirth, gladness,  mirth, gladness, joy, gaiety, pleasure, joy (of God), glad result, happy issue,]

3. “…he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.”

a. he will rest [2790 * charash] [Strong: a primitive root; to scratch, i.e. (by implication) to engrave, plough; hence (from the use of tools) to fabricate (of any material); figuratively, to devise (in a bad sense); hence (from the idea of secrecy) to be silent, to let alone; hence (by implication) to be deaf (as an accompaniment of dumbness):--X altogether, cease, conceal, be deaf, devise, ear, graven, imagine, leave off speaking, hold peace, plow(-er, man), be quiet, rest, practise secretly, keep silence, be silent, speak not a word, be still, hold tongue, worker.]

b. in his love [160 * 'ahabah] [Strong: feminine of 158 and meaning the same:--love.]

c. he will joy [1523 * giyl] [Strong: properly, to spin round (under the influence of any violent emotion), i.e. usually rejoice, or (as cringing) fear:--be glad, joy, be joyful, rejoice.]

d. over thee with singing [7440 * rinnah] [Blue Letter Bible: ringing cry, of entreaty, supplication, in proclamation, joy, praise.][Strong:  properly, a creaking (or shrill sound), i.e. shout (of joy or grief):--cry, gladness, joy, proclamation, rejoicing, shouting, sing(-ing), triumph.]

1). When all these verses and definitions are compared we need to ask this question. Can an Old Covenant verse that will not literally be fulfilled until during the Millennial Reign of Christ have a legitimate application under the New Covenant? Yes. Physically Christ Jesus is sitting at the right hand of God His Father and he has been there since after his resurrection and immediate 40 days on the earth (Acts 1:3-9; Hebrews 10:12, 13). However, Jesus also dwells in every born again believer through the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9-11.) Hence we see the many witnesses that Christ is in us (Galatians 2:20; Colossians 1:27;) When New Covenant believers are together praising and worshipping the Lord, being clamorously loud, raving and raging our praise to God, Jesus is in the midst of us, he does so through and in us. He is physically still sitting at the right hand of God our Father. The context of the literal fulfillment of this passage is in the future, immediately after the return of Christ and the beginning of the thousand year reign. We should also add to these testimonies the witness of Jesus in Luke of those who repent.

a). Luke 15:8-10 Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?

15:9 And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.

15:10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

a). Notice that it is not the angels who are rejoicing. The rejoicing is done in the midst of the angels. The rejoicing is done by redeemed men and women and God, The Father and the Son.

3). All of the Commentators agree that this passage Zephaniah 3:8-20 is referring to the Day of the LORD [the Second Coming and the Millennial Reign of Christ]. See notes below. See my notes on Zephaniah 3:8. 

4). Zephaniah 3:14 through 17 are set apart in that they are third person, while Zephaniah 3:8-13 and Zephaniah 3:18-20 are first person. Although the context of the whole passage, Zephaniah 3:8-20 is the Day of the LORD, which includes the Millennial Reign, verses 14-17 are somewhat parenthetical because they are third person. In light of that they need to be studied as occurring after the Second Coming of Christ.

5). Zechariah 12:9-14 is a companion passage to Zephaniah 3:8-20 in that in Zechariah 12:9-14 the context is also speaking of the Day of the LORD, Second Coming of Christ and the time immediately after Christ comes back. Notice in Zechariah 12:9 we have the Second Coming and then in Zechariah 12:10-14 we have the revelation to the Jewish people that Jesus was indeed their promised Messiah. 

a). Zechariah 12:9-14 And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. 

12:10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.

12:11 In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon.

12:12 And the land shall mourn, every family apart; the family of the house of David apart, and their wives apart; the family of the house of Nathan apart, and their wives apart;

12:13 The family of the house of Levi apart, and their wives apart; the family of Shimei apart, and their wives apart;

12:14 All the families that remain, every family apart, and their wives apart.

a). As the Scripture states, this revelation that Jesus is their long awaited Messiah will trigger the most intense period of mourning that Israel has ever experienced. When I first studied this passage around 2004-6, there were times while studying [See blog notes for January 2007], I would cry for brief periods because the wording was so moving and the picture drawn was so powerful. It was one of the most intense studies in Scripture I have ever done. This period of mourning will possibly last up to between 70-80 days [See blog notes January 2007 Zechariah 12:10]. 

6). It is after this period of mourning that we have Zephaniah 3:14-17. Note closely Israel is no longer mourning they are told to shout and rejoice, because their judgment is taken away, their enemy is destroyed, they will never see evil any more, and best of all, Jesus, the LORD their God is in their midst. Hallelujah, Glory to God! This is the Millennial Reign of Christ.

a). Zephaniah 3:14-17 Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem. 

3:15 The LORD hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more.

3:16 In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack. 

3:17 The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.

7). During this time of Jesus and Israel reuniting, this time of shouting and rejoicing no doubt at the top of their lungs,  Jesus is going to be seen rejoicing over His people right in the midst of them spinning around as if under the power of a violent emotion, rejoicing that He is back with His people.