Zephaniah 3:14

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.