Zephaniah 3:16-17

Zephaniah 3:16-17

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

What does Zephaniah 3:16-17 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

In that day of blessing the people of Jerusalem will have plenty of reasons not to fear. One reason is that Yahweh their God will be in their midst ( Zephaniah 3:15). He will be a victorious warrior having defeated all His enemies and all opposition worldwide ( Zephaniah 1:2-3; Zephaniah 3:8). Like a bridegroom He will take joy in His people Israel, and they will rest quietly in the security of His love for them as His bride. Yahweh will even shout with joy over His beloved Israel!
"Most often the Lord"s love is expressed by the Hebrew word hesed. This is the love that issues in commitment, the "ever-unfailing" fidelity of love, love that lives in the will as much as in the heart. Here, however, the word is "ahaba, the passionate love of Jacob for Rachel ( Genesis 29:20) and of Michal for David ( 1 Samuel 18:28), the fond love of Jacob for Joseph ( Genesis 37:3), Uzziah"s devotion to gardening ( 2 Chronicles 26:10), Jonathan"s deep friendship with David ( 1 Samuel 18:3), the devotee"s delight in the Lord"s law ( Psalm 119:97). This too is the Lord"s love for his people ( Hosea 3:1), a love that delights him ( Zephaniah 3:17 c), makes him contemplate his beloved with wordless adoration ( Zephaniah 3:17 d), a love that cannot be contained but bursts into elated singing ( Zephaniah 3:17 e)." [1]
"We can find hope in times of difficulty if we focus on God"s power, God"s deliverance, and God"s love. He is our King ( Zephaniah 3:15), our Savior ( Zephaniah 3:16-17 a), and our Beloved ( Zephaniah 3:17 b)." [2]