Habakkuk 3:1-8

1 oratio Abacuc prophetae pro ignorationibus

2 Domine audivi auditionem tuam et timui Domine opus tuum in medio annorum vivifica illud in medio annorum notum facies cum iratus fueris misericordiae recordaberis

3 Deus ab austro veniet et Sanctus de monte Pharan semper operuit caelos gloria eius et laudis eius plena est terra

4 splendor eius ut lux erit cornua in manibus eius ibi abscondita est fortitudo eius

5 ante faciem eius ibit mors et egredietur diabolus ante pedes eius

6 stetit et mensus est terram aspexit et dissolvit gentes et contriti sunt montes saeculi incurvati sunt colles mundi ab itineribus aeternitatis eius

7 pro iniquitate vidi tentoria Aethiopiae turbabuntur pelles terrae Madian

8 numquid in fluminibus iratus es Domine aut in fluminibus furor tuus vel in mari indignatio tua quia ascendes super equos tuos et quadrigae tuae salvatio

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.