Habakkuk 3:1-8

1 This is the prayer of Habakkuk the prophet, on shigionoth.

2 Lord, I have heard the news about you; I am amazed at what you have done. Lord, do great things once again in our time; make those things happen again in our own days. Even when you are angry, remember to be kind.

3 God is coming from Teman; the Holy One comes from Mount Paran. Selah His glory covers the skies, and his praise fills the earth.

4 He is like a bright light. Rays of light shine from his hand, and there he hides his power.

5 Sickness goes before him, and disease follows behind him.

6 He stands and shakes the earth. He looks, and the nations shake with fear. The mountains, which stood for ages, break into pieces; the old hills fall down. God has always done this.

7 I saw that the tents of Cushan were in trouble and that the tents of Midian trembled.

8 Lord, were you angry at the rivers, or were you angry at the streams? Were you angry with the sea when you rode your horses and chariots of victory?

Habakkuk 3:1-8 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.