Habakkuk 3:1-6

Habakkuk's Third Prayer

1 A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet. According to Shigionoth.[a][b]
2 Lord, I have heard the report about You; Lord, I stand in awe of Your deeds. Revive [Your work] in these years; make [it] known in these years. In [Your] wrath remember mercy!
3 God comes from Teman, the Holy One from Mount Paran.[c] Selah His splendor covers the heavens, and the earth is full of His praise.[d]
4 [His] brilliance is like light; rays are flashing from His hand. This is where His power is hidden.
5 Plague goes before Him, and pestilence follows in His steps.
6 He stands and shakes[e] the earth; He looks and startles the nations. The age-old mountains break apart; the ancient hills sink down. His pathways are ancient.

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Habakkuk 3:1-6 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO HABAKKUK 3

The title of this chapter is a prayer of Habakkuk the prophet, composed after the manner of a psalm of David, and directed to the chief singer, Hab 3:1,19. The occasion of it is expressed, Hab 3:2 in which the prophet declares his concern for the work of the Lord, and the promotion of the kingdom and interest of Christ; and observes the various steps that were, or would be, taken for the advancement of it; for which he prays, and suggests that these would be after the manner of the Lord's dealing with the people of Israel, and settling them in the land of Canaan, Hab 3:3-15 and there being several things awful in this account, both with respect to the judgments of God on his enemies, and the conflicts and trials of his own people, it greatly affected the mind of the prophet, Hab 3:16 and yet, in the view of the worst, he expresses his strong faith in the Lord, as to better times and things, that would most assuredly come, Hab 3:17-19.

Footnotes 5

  • [a]. Perhaps a passionate song with rapid changes of rhythm, or a dirge
  • [b]. Ps 7 superscription
  • [c]. Dt 33:2; Jdg 5:4-5
  • [d]. Jb 37:22; Ps 148:13; Isa 42:10
  • [e]. Or surveys
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