The Message Bible MSG
New Living Translation NLT
1 A prayer of the prophet Habakkuk, with orchestra:
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This prayer was sung by the prophet Habakkuk :
2 God, I've heard what our ancestors say about you, and I'm stopped in my tracks, down on my knees. Do among us what you did among them. Work among us as you worked among them. And as you bring judgment, as you surely must, remember mercy.
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I have heard all about you, LORD . I am filled with awe by your amazing works. In this time of our deep need, help us again as you did in years gone by. And in your anger, remember your mercy.
3 God's on his way again, retracing the old salvation route, Coming up from the south through Teman, the Holy One from Mount Paran. Skies are blazing with his splendor, his praises sounding through the earth,
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I see God moving across the deserts from Edom, the Holy One coming from Mount Paran. His brilliant splendor fills the heavens, and the earth is filled with his praise.
4 His cloud-brightness like dawn, exploding, spreading, forked-lightning shooting from his hand - what power hidden in that fist!
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His coming is as brilliant as the sunrise. Rays of light flash from his hands, where his awesome power is hidden.
5 Plague marches before him, pestilence at his heels!
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Pestilence marches before him; plague follows close behind.
6 He stops. He shakes Earth. He looks around. Nations tremble. The age-old mountains fall to pieces; ancient hills collapse like a spent balloon. The paths God takes are older than the oldest mountains and hills.
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When he stops, the earth shakes. When he looks, the nations tremble. He shatters the everlasting mountains and levels the eternal hills. He is the Eternal One!
7 I saw everyone worried, in a panic: Old wilderness adversaries, Cushan and Midian, were terrified, hoping he wouldn't notice them.
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I see the people of Cushan in distress, and the nation of Midian trembling in terror.
8 God, is it River you're mad at? Angry at old River? Were you raging at Sea when you rode horse and chariot through to salvation?
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Was it in anger, LORD, that you struck the rivers and parted the sea? Were you displeased with them? No, you were sending your chariots of salvation!
9 You unfurled your bow and let loose a volley of arrows. You split Earth with rivers.
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You brandished your bow and your quiver of arrows. You split open the earth with flowing rivers.
10 Mountains saw what was coming. They twisted in pain. Flood Waters poured in. Ocean roared and reared huge waves.
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The mountains watched and trembled. Onward swept the raging waters. The mighty deep cried out, lifting its hands in submission.
11 Sun and Moon stopped in their tracks. Your flashing arrows stopped them, your lightning-strike spears impaled them.
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The sun and moon stood still in the sky as your brilliant arrows flew and your glittering spear flashed.
12 Angry, you stomped through Earth. Furious, you crushed the godless nations.
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You marched across the land in anger and trampled the nations in your fury.
13 You were out to save your people, to save your specially chosen people. You beat the stuffing out of King Wicked, Stripped him naked from head to toe,
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You went out to rescue your chosen people, to save your anointed ones. You crushed the heads of the wicked and stripped their bones from head to toe.
14 Set his severed head on his own spear and blew away his army. Scattered they were to the four winds - and ended up food for the sharks!
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With his own weapons, you destroyed the chief of those who rushed out like a whirlwind, thinking Israel would be easy prey.
15 You galloped through the Sea on your horses, racing on the crest of the waves.
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You trampled the sea with your horses, and the mighty waters piled high.
16 When I heard it, my stomach did flips. I stammered and stuttered. My bones turned to water. I staggered and stumbled. I sit back and wait for Doomsday to descend on our attackers.
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I trembled inside when I heard this; my lips quivered with fear. My legs gave way beneath me, and I shook in terror. I will wait quietly for the coming day when disaster will strike the people who invade us.
17 Though the cherry trees don't blossom and the strawberries don't ripen, Though the apples are worm-eaten and the wheat fields stunted, Though the sheep pens are sheepless and the cattle barns empty,
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Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty,
18 I'm singing joyful praise to God. I'm turning cartwheels of joy to my Savior God.
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yet I will rejoice in the LORD ! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
19 Counting on God's Rule to prevail, I take heart and gain strength. I run like a deer. I feel like I'm king of the mountain! (For congregational use, with a full orchestra.)
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The Sovereign LORD is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights. (For the choir director: This prayer is to be accompanied by stringed instruments.)
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by
Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.