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Sing, O daughter of Zion - Here is not only a gracious prophetic promise of their restoration from captivity, but of their conversion to God through Christ.
Sing, O daughter of Sion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem - Very remarkable throughout all these verses is the use of the sacred number three, secretly conveying to the thoughtful soul the thought of Him, Father Son and Holy Spirit, the Holy and Undivided Trinity by whose operation these things shall be. Threefold is the description of their being freed from sins:
(1) they shall “not do iniquity,”
(2) “nor speak lies,”
(3) “neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth.”
Threefold their blessedness; They shall:
(1) “feed,”
(2) “lie down,”
(3) “none make them afraid.”
Threefold the exhortation to joy here. (Rup.): “Sing to God the Father; ‹shout‘ to God the Son; ‹be glad and rejoice‘ in God the Holy Spirit, which Holy Trinity is One God, from whom thou hast received it that thou art:
(1) ‹the daughter of Zion‘
(2) ‹Israel‘
(3) ‹the daughter of Jerusalem‘
‹The daughter of Zion‘ by faith, ‹Israel‘ by hope, ‹Jerusalem‘ by charity.” And this hidden teaching of that holy mystery is continued; “The Lord,” God the Father, “hath taken away thy judgments; He God” the Son, “hath cast out (cleared quite away) thine enemy; the king of Israel, the Lord,” the Holy Spirit, “is in the midst of thee!” Zephaniah 3:15. The promise is threefold:
(1) “thou shalt not see evil anymore”
(2) “fear thou not”
(3) “let not thine hands be slack”
The love of God is threefold:
(1) “He will rejoice over thee with joy”
(2) “He will rest in His love”
(3) “He will joy over thee with singing”
Again the words in these four verses are so framed as to be “ful”- filled in the end. All in this life are but shadows of that fullness. First, whether the Church or the faithful soul, she is summoned by all her names, “daughter of Zion” (“the thirsty” athirst for God) “Israel” (“Prince with God”) “Jerusalem” (“City of Peace”). By all she is called to the fullest joy in God with every expression and every feeling. “Sing;” it is the inarticulate, thrilling, trembling burst of joy; “shout;” again the inarticulate yet louder swell of joy, a trumpet-blast; and then too, deep within, “be glad,” the calm even joy of the inward soul; “exult,” the triumph of the soul which cannot contain itself for joy; and this, “with the whole heart,” no corner of it not pervaded with joy. The ground of this is the complete removal of every evil, and the full presence of God.
Is there not something stimulating and inspiring in this thought, that the human agent stands as the visible instrument to confer the blessings of angelic agencies? As we are thus laborers together with God, the work bears the inscription of the divine. The knowledge and activity of the heavenly workers, united with the knowledge and power that are imparted to human agencies, bring relief to the oppressed and distressed. Our acts of unselfish ministry make us partakers in the success that results from the relief offered. 6T 457.1
With what joy heaven looks upon these blended influences! All heaven is watching those agencies that are as the hand to work out the purpose of God in the earth, thus doing the will of God in heaven. Such co-operation accomplishes a work that brings honor and glory and majesty to God. Oh, if all would love as Christ has loved, that perishing men might be saved from ruin, what a change would come to our world! 6T 457.2
“I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the Lord.... They shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid. Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem. 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. In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack. 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.” Zephaniah 3:12-17. What a representation is this! Can we grasp its meaning? 6T 457.3
Read in context »In the words we speak to the people and in the prayers we offer, God desires us to give unmistakable evidence that we have spiritual life. We do not enjoy the fullness of blessing which the Lord has prepared for us, because we do not ask in faith. If we would exercise faith in the word of the living God we should have the richest blessings. We dishonor God by our lack of faith; therefore we can not impart life to others by bearing a living, uplifting testimony. We cannot give that which we do not possess. 6T 63.1
If we will walk humbly with God, if we will work in the spirit of Christ, none of us will carry heavy burdens. We shall lay them upon the great Burden Bearer. Then we may expect triumphs in the presence of God, in the communion of His love. From the beginning to the end every camp meeting may be a love feast, because God's presence is with His people. 6T 63.2
All heaven is interested in our salvation. The angels of God, thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand, are commissioned to minister to those who shall be heirs of salvation. They guard us against evil and press back the powers of darkness that are seeking our destruction. Have we not reason to be thankful every moment, thankful even when there are apparent difficulties in our pathway? 6T 63.3
Read in context »“Behold, at that time I will deal with all them that afflict thee: and I will save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven away; and I will make them a praise and a name, whose shame hath been in all the earth. At that time will I bring you in, and at that time will I gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all the peoples of the earth, when I bring again your captivity before your eyes, saith the Lord.” Zephaniah 3:19, 20, R.V. PK 391.1
“Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel;
Be glad and rejoice with all the heart,
O daughter of Jerusalem.
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.
PK 391.2
“In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not:
And to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack.
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.”
PK 391.3
“Who is wise, that he may understand these things?
Prudent, that he may know them?
For the ways of Jehovah are right,
And the just shall walk in them.”
8T 278.1
Hosea 14:4-9, A. R. V. 8T 278
“Who is a God like unto Thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth over the transgression
Of the remnant of His heritage?
He retaineth not His anger forever,
Because He delighteth in loving-kindness.
He will again have compassion upon us;
He will tread our iniquities underfoot;
And Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.”
8T 278.2