Zephaniah 3:17

‘“The Lord your God is in your midst, A Warrior who saves. He will rejoice over you with joy; He will be quiet in His love [making no mention of your past sins], He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy. ‘ Amp

‘The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”’ NKJV

 I am an avid user of the “Bible App” and “Bible.com”. In using it,everyday when you open it, there is a “Verse of the Day.”  A few days ago, Zephaniah 3:17 was that verse. As I was reading and meditating on it: I read it in a number of different versions and started looking at some of the words in the original language. After just a couple of words, I KNEW, I had to dig deeper. What follows is the product of that digging. I hope and pray that you are as blessed in partaking as I was in preparing.

• The Lord your God is in your midst
  • “The Lord” – The Hebrew here is the unspoken name. This name is considered the most Holy and powerful name of God. Out of reverence and fear, to this day most practicing Jews will not speak “The Name.”
  • “Your God”  Elohim – Elohim is a plural noun used to refer to the one true God. While in the beliefs of the time there was no revelation or understanding of the many facets and distinct entities through which He makes himself known. Specifically, I believe this word, even then reveals the fullness of God in the Trinity and other Spirits by which He presents himself. 
    • Revelation 1:4-5, Revelation 4:5, Isaiah 11:2
  • “is in your midst” – The word here is not simply to be present and be with you. The meaning here is that He is IN you. As believers, we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit.
    • Romans 8:7-9, 1 Corinthians 3:16, John 14:17

• A Warrior who saves
  • “A warrior” – The Hebrew word here is used to describe individuals who possess great power, strength, bravery, or valor. However, it can also be used to denote someone who is mighty in terms of influence or power, not just physical strength. This definitely describes our God in ALL aspects. 
  • “Who saves” – (To save, deliver, rescue, bring to safety.) It conveys the idea of providing salvation or rescue from danger, distress, or oppression. The term can also imply bringing someone to a place of safety or security. By the blood and death of Jesus, we have all been SAVED and brought into a place of safety and security. 

• He will rejoice over you with joy
  • “He will rejoice” – WE bring JOY and delight to our Father in Heaven. Imagine the joy you have holding your newborn child or grandchild. Now, multiply that by infinity – that is how GOD feels about YOU!!
  • “over you” – (on, upon, over, against) The word used is actually very versatile in the Hebrew language depending on the context. The alternatives to “over” that I find most interesting are “on” or “upon”. We have already seen that He abides within us, I believe He also places His Joy UPON us. 
  • “with joy” – (Joy, gladness) It also used to describe a state of happiness or celebration. In addition, it’s not only the external state of being, but an internal one. He does not merely want us to experience His genuine joy upon us as mentioned above, but to experience IN us as He is in us.

• He will be quiet in His love [making no mention of your past sins]
• He will quiet you with His love, 
  • “Be quiet” / “He will quiet you” –  (To be silent, to be still, to engrave, to plow) In most cases this word usually simply means to intentionally still and quiet, but it can also mean to engrave or plow. He will guide us and provide opportunities for us to sit, be still, be quiet and LISTEN. In addition, I believe if we will take those opportunities He will engrave His word and His Name upon our hearts. Doing this will change our character, what we say and what we do, ultimately our entire lives, because we will become more and more like examples of HIS character on the earth.
    • Hebrews 10:16, 2 Corinthians 3:3
  • “in/with His love” –  The Hebrew word used here describes the deep, covenantal love that God has for us, as well as the love that we are called to have for Him. It also encompasses both emotional affection and a commitment to act in the best interest of the one who is loved.

• He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.
  • “He will rejoice” – While they both basically mean “rejoice” this is a different word for the one used earlier in the verse. This word basically means – Rejoice, be glad, exult, to spin round. Let this sink in, The Lord Almighty, our Loving Heavenly Father does not only sing and shout for joy due to love and pleasure in us, he DANCES! I am reminded of how King David danced and celebrated as they were bringing the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem in I Chronicles 15:29. Read that and then consider God doing that over YOU!
  •  “Over you” – SEE ABOVE
  • “with shouts of joy / with singing” – Both singing and shouts of joy are captured in the actual meaning of the original text. In addition, it can also be used as an expression of gratitude. Finally, it can also be used to express triumph or victory. Imagine the joy and pleasure that it must bring to the Lord when He looks down and sees all that He has brought us through and all that we are yet to accomplish yet He can see it already. 

WOW, simply WOW! I urge you now having read through this simple word study to go back and slowly read the verses again, meditate on it and let it REALLY sink in. RECEIVE the affirmation that your Heavenly Father loves YOU and YOU bring JOY and delight to His heart and He wants you to experience and have that same joy and delight in your relationship with Him.

As always, it is my hope and prayer that you are blessed as much by reading and studying this message as I have been in preparing it.

May you be blessed in your going out, and blessed in your coming in: blessed when you arise and blessed when you lay down