Joy is important in the Hebrew culture. Joy is considered a blessing that comes from God. They even have commands to be joyful on certain occasions, even if it is during a time of sorrow or adversity. Often around holidays in Israel, colorful vans with loudspeakers mounted on the roof will circulate throughout the city of Jerusalem playing upbeat music to remind the citizens to rejoice and be glad. Strangers will spontaneously form a circle on the sidewalk and begin dancing and singing together for the sheer joy of the celebration. Joy is infectious. It spreads easily from the circle of celebrants to bring smiles and clapping from passersby as well.

Hebrew has more than ten words that describe joy in varying degrees. Here are just a few:

• Simcha (שמחה) = exceedingly happy or merry
• Gila (גילה) = to spin around in joy
• Rina (רינה) = to sing for joy
• Sasson (ששון) = gladness or cheer
• Eliza (עליזה) = to jump for joy
• Roah (רוע) = to shout aloud for joy

Zephaniah, who prophesied during King Josiah’s reign, brought a strong message against God’s people. But for the judgments of the first two-thirds of his message, he did not leave the people without hope. He concluded his prophecy with an exultation to the faithfulness of God toward those who would humble themselves and trust in Him. He wanted the people to know that their joy comes from God, even in the midst of sorrow or adversity of His judgment. In his final few verses, Zephaniah used six different terms for joy to describe both God’s attitude over His children and His commands for His people to rejoice in Him and His salvation.

“Sing (רני), O daughter of Zion! Shout (הריעו), O Israel! Be glad (שמחי) and rejoice (עליזי) with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! The LORD has taken away your judgments, He has cast out your enemy. The King of Israel, the LORD is in your midst; you shall see disaster no more. In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: ‘Do not fear; Zion, let not your hands be weak. The LORD your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice (שוש) over you with gladness (שמחה), He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice (יגיל) over you with singing (רנה).’” (Zephaniah 3:14-17)

This is a beautiful ode to joy as it is. But if we substitute each “joy” word with its definition, it makes an even more powerful impact on the reader. Think about it being read this way…

“Sing for joy, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud for joy, O Israel! Be exceedingly happy or merry and jump for joy with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem…The LORD your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will be glad or cheer over you with exceeding happiness or merriness, He will quiet you with His love, He will spin around in joy over you with singing for joy.”

May you be filled with overflowing rejoicing toward the Lord today. And may His joy over you fill you with strength for everything your day will hold, even if it is sorrow or adversity.  Indeed, the “joy of the Lord is our strength!” (Nehemiah 8:10)

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