Habakkuk 3:6-16

6 When he stands up, the earth shakes; when he looks, the nations tremble, (Selah) the eternal mountains are smashed to pieces, the ancient hills sink down; the ancient paths are his.

7 I saw trouble in the tents of Kushan and the tent hangings shaking in the land of Midyan.

8 ADONAI, is it against the rivers, against the rivers that your anger is inflamed? Is your fury directed at the sea? Is that why you ride on your horses, and drive your chariots to victory?

9 You brandish your naked bow and order it filled with arrows. (Selah) You split the earth with rivers.

10 The mountains see you and tremble; a torrent of water streams by; the deep thunders forth, as it raises enormous waves.

11 The sun and moon stand still in the sky at the light of your arrows speeding by, at the gleam of your glittering spear.

12 In fury you stride across the land, in anger you trample the nations.

13 You come out to save your people, to save your anointed one; you crush the head of the house of the wicked, uncovering its foundation all the way to the neck.

14 With their own rods you pierce the head of their warriors, who come like a whirlwind to scatter us, who rejoice at the prospect of devouring the poor in secret.

15 You tread down the sea with your horses, churning up the mighty waters.

16 When I heard, my whole body trembled, my lips shook at the sound; weakness overcame my limbs, my legs gave way beneath me. But I wait calmly for the day of trouble, when it comes upon our assailants.

Habakkuk 3:6-16 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.