Habakkuk 3:1-15

The LORD’s victory

1 The prayer of Habakkuk the prophet, according to Shigionoth:

2 LORD, I have heard your reputation. I have seen your work. Over time, revive it. Over time, make it known. Though angry, remember compassion.

3 God comes from Teman and the holy one from the mountain of Paran. Selah His majesty covers the heavens and his praise fills the earth.

4 His radiance is like the sunlight, with rays flashing from his hand. That is the hiding place of his power.

5 Pestilence walks in front of him. Plague marches at his feet.

6 He stops and measures the earth. He looks and sets out against the nations. The everlasting mountains collapse; the eternal hills bow down; the eternal paths belong to him.

7 I saw the tents of Cushan under duress. The curtains of the land of Midian were quaking.

8 Was the LORD raging against the rivers? Or was your anger directed against the rivers? Or was your fury directed against the sea when you rode on your horses or rode your chariots to victory?

9 You raise up your empty bow, uttering curses for the arrows.Selah With rivers you split open the earth.

10 The mountains see you and writhe. A flood of water rushes through. The deep utters its voice; it raises its hands aloft.

11 Sun and moon stand still high above. With the light, your arrows shoot, your spear at the flash of lightning.

12 In fury, you stride the earth; in anger you tread the nations.

13 You go out to save your people. For the salvation of your anointed you smashed the head of the house of wickedness, laying bare the foundation up to the neck. Selah

14 You pierce the head of his warrior with his own spear. His warriors are driven off, those who take delight in oppressing us, those who take pleasure in secretly devouring the poor.

15 You make your horses tread on the sea; turbulent waters foam.

Habakkuk 3:1-15 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

• [a]. Heb uncertain
• [b]. Heb uncertain
• [c]. Or me