S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

Zephaniah 3:17 includes an interesting description of God singing over people: "The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his lo...

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July 01 2013 • 2 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Sam Shupe Supporter

When I read this portion of Scripture I see a description of a loving living personal God. So many pictures and movies show Him as solemn and no emotions. This Scripture shows a God who is God but has joy and deep happy emotions when He thinks of us His children. I do picture him as singing over us as a small child but this song is also joyful because of the victory in spiritual warfare accomplished by this child by faith in this living loving God!

November 01 2014 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht Supporter Arizona Bible College graduate and Dallas Seminary graduate

This rejoicing means that God Himself will join them in their happy singing (see Zephaniah 3:14-18). This will be after their regathering (Zp 3:10, 19-20a), their restoring (Zp 3:20b), and their refining (Zp 3:11-13). HW
Compare 
Luke 15:5,6,23,24,32 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing…

Luke 15:5-6 5And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.'

Luke 15:23-24 23Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. 24For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.


Luke 15:32 32But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.'"

God’s love is constant and patient and welcoming. He’ll search for you and give you chances to repent, but He’ll not force you to come to Him. LASB

August 18 2021 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

What does it mean that God will rejoice over us with singing?
Zephaniah 3:17 ESV: 17 "The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing."

Based on Zephaniah 3:17, God rejoicing over His people with singing signifies profound divine love, delight, and active restoration. It portrays God not merely as a distant creator, but as a loving parent or a mighty warrior who passionately celebrates, comforts, and affirms his children, bringing them joy through His presence. 

Meanings of God Singing Over Us:

1: Divine Delight and Affection: This imagery, particularly in Zephaniah 3:17, depicts God finding immense pleasure in His people, loving them despite their failings.

2: Active Restoration: The singing is part of God's action to "renew you in his love" and quiet fears, indicating a restorative, healing force that brings peace to a broken heart.

3: Intimate Presence: It signifies God is "in your midst," a close, comforting presence rather than a distant entity.

4: Redemption Secured: This song declares that salvation is based on God's grace and love, not earned by human effort. 

5: The passage serves as a powerful reminder of God's comforting, unconditional love, suggesting that God takes such great joy in his people that he breaks out in song. 

The imagery evokes the tenderness of a parent cradling a child or a bridegroom rejoicing over his bride. 

Parental Love: Just as a parent sings a lullaby to soothe and express love for an infant, God uses song to quiet fears and demonstrate deep affection.

Covenant Delight: It signifies a restored relationship where God no longer sees a reason for rebuke but takes "pleasurable delight" in His people's presence.

Summary of Zephaniah 3:17:

The verse provides a five-fold portrait of God's character:

Presence: He is in your midst.

Power: He is a mighty warrior who saves.

Gladness: He rejoices with emotional intensity.

Peace: He quiets and restores you with His love.

Celebration: He breaks into loud singing over you. 

Zephaniah 3:17 notes: "Jehovah your God is in the midst of you. As a mighty One, he will save." The spiritual prosperity that Jehovah's servants enjoy in these last days is the direct result of having him 'in their midst' as their all-powerful God. This is as true today as it was in the restoration of ancient Judah in 537 B.C.E. Thus, we can see how Zephaniah 2:3 finds its major fulfilment in our time when it says: "Seek Jehovah, all you meek ones of the earth." In 537 B.C.E., "all" included the remnant of Jews who returned from Babylonian captivity. Now it represents the meek ones of all the nations throughout the entire earth.

Jesus stated: "He that has endured to the end is the one that will be saved." (Matthew 24:13) So, no "weak hands" or 'wobbly knees' as we await Jehovah's great day!

Zephaniah's prophecy reassuringly states concerning Jehovah: "As a mighty One, he will save." (Zephaniah 3:17) 

Zephaniah 3:17 is an encouraging verse that shines with warmth and tenderness, speaking of a God who is not distant or indifferent but present, mighty, and filled with joy over His redeemed people.

Here in Zephaniah, it’s Himself who sings loudly. This shows the depth of His delight. It's not enough for Him to silently approve; He breaks out into song.

If God rejoices over you with singing, then worship is a fitting response. Our songs of praise are simply echoes of His song over us.

5 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report