Habakkuk 1:2

2 O LORD, how long shall I cry , and thou wilt not hear ! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save !

Habakkuk 1:2 Meaning and Commentary

Habakkuk 1:2

O Lord, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear!
&c.] The prophet having long observed the sins and iniquities of the people among whom he lived, and being greatly distressed in his mind on account of them, had frequently and importunately cried unto the Lord to put a stop to the abounding of them, that the people might be brought to a sense of their sins, and reform from them; but nothing of this kind appearing, he concludes his prayers were not heard, and therefore expostulates with the Lord upon this head: [even] cry unto thee [of] violence, and thou wilt not save!
either of violence done to himself in the discharge of his office, or of one man to another, of the rich to the poor; and yet, though he cried again and again to the Lord, to check this growing evil, and deliver the oppressed out of the hands of their oppressors, it was not done; which was matter of grief and trouble to him.

Habakkuk 1:2 In-Context

1 The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see .

2 O LORD, how long shall I cry , and thou wilt not hear ! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save !

3 Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention.

4 Therefore the law is slacked , and judgment doth never go forth : for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth .

5 Behold ye among the heathen, and regard , and wonder marvellously : for I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believe , though it be told you.