The reality that the Lord sings of us his redeemed likely changes completely the way we tend to think about God and our salvation. Since we are keenly aware that we struggle with sin, we can view God as forgiving us with at least a slight frown. Yet the truth is, the redemption of God’s chosen ones through the cross of Christ was the fulfillment of God’s eternal, joy-filled plan. Zephaniah paints a beautiful picture of God, showing him to be the Father who totally delights in his children, because of who they are in Christ Jesus, his only begotton Son. He delights in his children as those who are “ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,” as Henry Lyte wrote in his hymn based on Psalm 103:1–22.
Let this picture of God’s delighting in his children drives us to him. God joyfully welcomes the repentant sinner (Luke 15:20). He promises to sing over those he saves (see also Psalm 147:11).
17 The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.