Habakkuk 3:13-19

13 You went out to save your people, to save your chosen king. You struck down the leader of the wicked and completely destroyed his followers.

14 Your arrows pierced the commander of his army when it came like a storm to scatter us, gloating like those who secretly oppress the poor.

15 You trampled the sea with your horses, and the mighty waters foamed.

16 I hear all this, and I tremble; my lips quiver with fear. My body goes limp, and my feet stumble beneath me. I will quietly wait for the time to come when God will punish those who attack us.

17 Even though the fig trees have no fruit and no grapes grow on the vines, even though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no grain, even though the sheep all die and the cattle stalls are empty,

18 I will still be joyful and glad, because the Lord God is my savior.

19 The Sovereign Lord gives me strength. ¹ He makes me sure-footed as a deer and keeps me safe on the mountains.

Habakkuk 3:13-19 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.

Cross References

• 1. 3.19 2 S 22.34;Psalms 18.33.

Footnotes

• [a]. [Probable text] completely . . . followers; [Hebrew unclear.]
• [b]. [Verse 14 in Hebrew is unclear.]
• [c]. [Probable text] my feet stumble; [Hebrew] I am excited, because.