One of the joys I experienced as a dad was holding my very young children and singing over them, whether it was to make them smile or help them sleep. The Bible speaks of a future time when our heavenly Father will sing over us, His children. In Zephaniah 3, we have what some might consider a peculiar passage that indicates we have a God who sings (v. 17). But it is the context of this passage that gives us a clearer picture. The book of Zephaniah, like many of the Old Testament prophetic books, points to a future time. “On that day” or similar statements are repeated throughout Zephaniah (v. 16).

Notice, however, that we are first called to sing now—“Sing, Daughter Zion; shout aloud, Israel!” (v. 14)— because we have been saved from the enemy, and the Lord has taken away our punishment (v. 15). While we look forward to that day when our Father will sing over us with rejoicing, it is our joy now to sing to Him. We sing praises that declare to Him, to the church, to the world, and even to ourselves, that through Christ we have been rescued from the dominion of darkness and brought into His kingdom where we have redemption and forgiveness of sins (Col. 1:13–14).

Some might argue that the language of God singing is not literal but figurative. The Son of God sang with His disciples the night before He was crucified (Matt. 26:30). And, Christ sings praises in the congregation (Heb. 2:12; Ps. 22:22). Do you look forward to the day when we will be face to face with our Father (1 Cor. 13:12) and hear Him rejoice over us with singing (Zeph. 3:17)? Amazing grace! How sweet that sound will be that saved a wretch like me!