John Trapp on Zephaniah 3:18

Verſe 18. I will gather them that are ſorrowfull for the ſolemne aſſembly] which now they cannot celebrate, as being in captivity; and are therefore in great heavineſſe; as was David Pſal. 42.2, 3, 5. Nothing goes nearer to a good heart then to be debarred the benefit of Gods holy ordinances, then to heare the ſabbaths mocked at by the enemies as theſe good ſoules did Lam. 2.7. and to be asked as David was, Where is now thy God Pſal. 42.3. All outward comforts in this caſe are meer Ichabods. When the Ark was taken, Eli could live no longer: that word ſtruck him down back ward, and killed him in the fall. No ſword of a Philiſtine could have ſlaine him more painefully: neither is it eaſie to ſay whether his neck or heart were firſt broken.

who are of thee] True children of the church, as appeareth by their ſtrong affections to the ordinances 1 Pet. 2.2. Luther ſaid he would not live in Paradiſe without the word; as with it be could eaſily live in hell. An infant cannot be quieted with gawdes or fine cloaths without the dugg: ſo neither cana true chirſtian with any thing, but the publike ſervices, the ſolemne aſſemblies.

to whom the reproach of it was a burden] It lay heavy upon their ſpirits, and made them ſend up many a deep ſigh to God, who heareth the breathings of his people Lam. 3.56.1 Chr. 15.26. and will reſtore comfort to ſuch his mourners Eſa. 57.18. He that helped his Levites to bear the Ark, will help thoſe that grieve at the want of it, and grone under the reproach caſt upon it, which they ever honoured as the face of God Pſal. 105.4. Yea as God himſelf Pſal. 132.5.