Sing O Daughter of Zion, shout aloud O Israel
Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O Daughter of Jerusalem. Zephaniah 3:14
At first glance, this Scripture may seem to be just for ladies, but notice it includes all Israel, men too! Similar phrases are found in both Zephaniah and Zechariah, late prophets of the Old Testament. They look forward to a day of Israel’s restoration and to the Messiah.
In Zechariah, this exhortation to rejoice refers to Messiah, the King coming on a donkey. “Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See your king comes to you righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” Zechariah 9:9 Does that sound like Palm Sunday to you?
When these two prophets spoke, Israel had been through a hundred years of apostasy, exile and return (70 year exile). God was saying that after their discipline and repentance, they had much to look forward to. Jesus was coming!
In our day, we can rejoice also—both the daughters and sons of Zion– through Jesus the Messiah. “For the Lord has taken away your punishment, He has turned back your enemy.” Zephaniah 3:15 While there are still fulfillments for Israel to come, Zion also includes all of us who are “sons of Abraham by faith in Christ Jesus”. God has forgiven our sins and delivered us from our spiritual enemies. Even more reason to rejoice!
A few years ago a Messianic Jew named David Loden wrote these passages into a song with some Hebrew lyrics as well as English. We heard it from Paul Wilbur and have used it in some of our past praise gatherings and dance processionals. It’s called “Roni, Roni, Bat Zion” which means “Rejoice, rejoice daughter of Zion.” The song continues:
“Rejoice, rejoice, daughter of Zion,
Shout aloud, Israel, sing rejoice with all your heart, O Jerusalem:
For the Lord has taken your punishment, destroyed your enemies.
King of Israel, Lord of all is He, In the midst of us, He is mighty!”
Lord, we thank you that you want us to rejoice in you and that you delight over us. Help us to shout aloud, even if it’s in our prayer closet! Thank you that you have taken our punishment and destroyed our spiritual enemies. You help us to conquer fear and doubt. You help us rejoice even in sorrow. Thank you that you are mighty in our midst. Thank you for your special presence when we are gathered with your people. Thank you for receiving our praises as we recognize the one who came on donkey as our King and Savior. Lord, receive our praises as we exalt you with voices, hands and hearts. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.