Habakkuk 3:2-12

2 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 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 coming is as brilliant as the sunrise. Rays of light flash from his hands, where his awesome power is hidden.

5 Pestilence marches before him; plague follows close behind.

6 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 see the people of Cushan in distress, and the nation of Midian trembling in terror.

8 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 brandished your bow and your quiver of arrows. You split open the earth with flowing rivers.

10 The mountains watched and trembled. Onward swept the raging waters. The mighty deep cried out, lifting its hands in submission.

11 The sun and moon stood still in the sky as your brilliant arrows flew and your glittering spear flashed.

12 You marched across the land in anger and trampled the nations in your fury.

Habakkuk 3:2-12 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Hebrew Teman.
• [b]. Hebrew adds selah; also in 3:9, 13 . The meaning of this Hebrew term is uncertain; it is probably a musical or literary term.
• [c]. Or The ancient paths belong to him.