The phrase within her
or in her midst
is a repeated phrase in this chapter. It appears first in verse Zephaniah 3:3, which mentions her officials within her,
pointing to the corrupt leaders in the city. But it was not only a human administration that was to be found within Jerusalem. The phrase’s subsequent appearances relate to the Lord and his presence in and action toward the city. In verse Zephaniah 3:11, the phrase brings out how the Lord will deal with the city by removing from your midst
(of from within you
) those who proudly boasted in their own cleverness, but he will leave in your midst
(or within you
) those who trust in him (Zephaniah 3:12). This work of the Lord will enable his presence in your midst
(or with you
) in Zephaniah 3:15, Zephaniah 3:17.
Here in Zephaniah 3:5, the phrase is used as a follow-up to its usage in Zephaniah 3:3, to now indicate that not only the corrupt officials were in the city, but also the Lord had his seat of earthly government there,
from where he opposed the prevailing corruption and oppression.1 This is remarkable in and of itself, that the Lord, in spite of all the wickedness of his people, is still within her,
that is, in her midst.
He is after all the one who is of purer eyes than to see evil and cannot look at wrong
(Habakkuk 1:13). He was remaining faithful to his ancient covenant promise to Israel that he would be present among them (Exodus 29:42–46).2 He wants his people to repent.
5 The LORD within her is righteous; he does no injustice; every morning he shows forth his justice; each dawn he does not fail; but the unjust knows no shame.