Zephaniah 3:15 - Exposition.

In this and following verses the prop. hot gives the reasons why Zion should rejoice. Thy judgments. The chastisements inflicted on thee in judgment, rendered necessary by thy iniquity ( Ezekiel 5:8 ). These God has removed; this is the first ground for rejoicing. Septuagint, τὰ ἀδικήματα σου , "thine iniquities." When God removes the punishments, he forgives the sin. He hath cast out ( cleared quite away ) thine enemy. The enemies who executed the judgment are utterly dispersed. The King of Israel, even the Lord, is in the midst of thee ( Obadiah 1:21 ). The theocracy is restored. Under the judgments which fell upon Israel, Jehovah seemed to have left his people; now he is in the midst of them as their icing ( Isaiah 12:6 ; Isaiah 52:7 ; Hosea 11:9 ). The perpetual presence of Christ in the Church is here adumbrated. Thou shalt not see evil any more . So the Septuagint. Another reading adopted by Jerome is, "Thou shalt not fear." In view of the following verse, this seems rather tautological. With God in their midst, the people shall see, i.e. experience ( Jeremiah 5:12 ), no evil ( Revelation 21:3 , Revelation 21:4 ).