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

What is the wordplay behind the mention of the Lord’s “justice”?

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 affirmation of the Lord’s “justice” contains a play on words with the “judges” of Zephaniah 3:3. Those who should have been dispensing justice (the judges) are those who use their position to pick the people clean, leaving nothing to the morning. But the Lord dispenses justice every morning.