1. Zephaniah 3:5 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

What does the term “righteous” mean in reference to the Lord?

Zephaniah 3:5 (ESV)

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.

The term refers to the Lord’s character. His righteousness is his consistency of character (Psalm 11:7), reliability in relation to his stated purposes (Nehemiah 9:8), and correctness in all his actions (Psalm 145:17).1