Zephaniah 3:18

“I will gather [them that are] sorrowful for the solemn assembly, etc.] Who are grieved and troubled, because they cannot meet at the time and place of religious worship, or attend the word and ordinances of the Lord; either through distance of place, or infirmity of body; or through the menaces and persecutions of men: and to be prevented the use of the means of grace, upon any account, is a great concern of mind to truly gracious souls: or who are filled with grief and sorrow “for the appointed time”f123; for the time of the Jews’ deliverance from their present exile, and return to their own land, which seems to be delayed, and thought long; and so it may seem to some of them in distant…”

“sorrowful for the solemn assembly--pining after the solemn assembly which they cannot celebrate in exile (Lam 1:4; Lam 2:6). who are of thee--that is, of thy true citizens; and whom therefore I will restore. to whom the reproach of it was a burden--that is, to whom thy reproach ("the reproach of My people," Mic 6:16; their ignominious captivity) was a burden. "Of it" is put of thee, as the person is often changed. Those who shared in the burden of reproach which fell on My people. Compare Isa 25:8, "the rebuke of His people shall He take away from off all the earth."”

“I will gather them that are sorrowful - for the solemn assembly, in which they were to “rejoice” Leviticus 23:40; Deuteronomy 12:12, Deuteronomy 12:18; Deuteronomy 16:11; Deuteronomy 27:7 before God and which in their captivity God made to cease. “They were of thee” Lamentations 1:4; Lamentations 2:6, the true Israel who were “grieved for the affliction of Joseph; to whom the reproach of it was a burden” Amos 6:6 (rather , ‘on whom reproach was laid’): for this “reproach of Christ is greater riches than the treasures of Egypt,” and such shall inherit the blessing, “Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you and east…”

“Sorrowful - That mourn their distance from the solemn worship of God. Who are of thee - Thy children. Reproach - The taunts of their enemies. Zephaniah 3:19”

“3:18-20 The repeated use of I will in these verses underscores God’s further assurances to his people. 3:18 I will gather you . . . disgraced no more: The Lord’s assurance stands in stark contrast to the pronouncements at the beginning of the book, when God threatened to gather the nations to sweep the people of Judah from the face of the earth (1:2-4). Now he promises to gather up those who have been driven from Jerusalem and lead them safely home.”

“gather: Zep 3:20; Jer 23:3, Jer 31:8, Jer 31:9; Eze 34:13, Eze 36:24; Hos 1:11; Rom 11:25, Rom 11:26 sorrowful: Psa 42:2-4, Psa 43:3, Psa 63:1, Psa 63:2, Psa 84:1, Psa 84:2, Psa 137:3-6; Lam 1:4, Lam 1:7, Lam 2:6, Lam 2:7; Hos 9:5 the reproach of it was a burden: Heb. the burden upon it was reproach. Zephaniah 3:19”

“"I gather together those that mourn for the festive meeting; they are of thee; reproach presses upon them. Zep 3:19. Behold, at that time I will treat with all thine oppressors, and will save the limping, and gather together that which is dispersed, and make them a praise and a name in every land of their shame. Zep 3:20. At that time will I bring you and gather you in time; for I will make you a name and a praise among all the nations of the earth, when I turn your captivity before your eyes, saith Jehovah." The salvation held up in prospect before the remnant of Israel, which has been refined by the judgments and delivered, was at a very remote distance in Zephaniah's time. The first thing…”