Habakkuk3

Habakkuk's prayer expresses profound awe and fear at God's majestic power and past acts of salvation. He recounts God's glorious appearance, His judgment upon nations, and His deliverance of His people. Despite impending desolation, the prophet declares his unwavering faith and joy in the Lord, who is his strength and salvation.
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Title and Prayer for Revival

1
A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet, set to Shigionoth. ​
2
O Jehovah, I have heard the report of thee, and am afraid: O Jehovah, revive thy work in the midst of the years; In the midst of the years make it known; In wrath remember mercy. ​

The Lord's Triumphant Theophany

3
God came from Teman, And the Holy One from mount Paran. [Selah His glory covered the heavens, And the earth was full of his praise. ​
4
Andhisbrightness was as the light; He had rayscoming forthfrom his hand; And there was the hiding of his power. ​
5
Before him went the pestilence, And fiery bolts went forth at his feet. ​
6
He stood, and measured the earth; He beheld, and drove asunder the nations; And the eternal mountains were scattered; The everlasting hills did bow; His goings were as of old. ​
7
I saw the tents of Cushan in affliction; The curtains of the land of Midian did tremble.
8
Was Jehovah displeased with the rivers? Was thine anger against the rivers, Or thy wrath against the sea, That thou didst ride upon thy horses, Upon thy chariots of salvation? ​
9
Thy bow was made quite bare; The oaths to the tribes were asure word. [Selah Thou didst cleave the earth with rivers. ​
10
The mountains saw thee, and were afraid; The tempest of waters passed by; The deep uttered its voice, And lifted up its hands on high.
11
The sun and moon stood still in their habitation, At the light of thine arrows as they went, At the shining of thy glittering spear.
12
Thou didst march through the land in indignation; Thou didst thresh the nations in anger.
13
Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people, For the salvation of thine anointed; Thou woundedst the head out of the house of the wicked man, Laying bare the foundation even unto the neck. [Selah ​
14
Thou didst pierce with his own staves the head of his warriors: They came as a whirlwind to scatter me; Their rejoicing was as to devour the poor secretly.
15
Thou didst tread the sea with thy horses, The heap of mighty waters.

The Prophet's Response of Faith

16
I heard, and my body trembled, My lips quivered at the voice; Rottenness entereth into my bones, and I tremble in my place; Because I must wait quietly for the day of trouble, For the coming up of the people that invadeth us. ​
17
For though the fig-tree shall not flourish, Neither shall fruit be in the vines; The labor of the olive shall fail, And the fields shall yield no food; The flock shall be cut off from the fold, And there shall be no herd in the stalls: ​
18
Yet I will rejoice in Jehovah, I will joy in the God of my salvation. ​
19
Jehovah, the Lord, is my strength; And he maketh my feet like hinds’ feet, And will make me to walk upon my high places. ​

Study Notes for Habakkuk 3

Verse 1

A musical instruction. *Shigionoth* likely refers to a highly emotional or rhythmic song, indicating that this prayer was intended for public liturgical use, perhaps accompanied by instruments.

Verse 2

Habakkuk acknowledges the terrifying nature of God’s revealed judgment (Ch. 1–2). The plea to 'revive thy work' and 'in wrath remember mercy' is the central petition of the prayer, asking God to intervene savingly before the judgment is complete.

Verse 3

The chapter shifts to a poetic description of God’s majestic appearance (*theophany*), drawing on Exodus imagery. *Teman* and *Mount Paran* are associated with the wilderness south of Judah, where God manifested his glory during the Sinai covenant.

Verse 4

The word translated 'horns' (Heb. *qeren*) often means 'rays' of light or flashing power. This describes God radiating intense, overwhelming glory, suggesting that his ultimate power is hidden or veiled even in revelation.

Verse 5

Pestilence and burning coals (or fever) are personified as God’s advance guard or divine weapons, emphasizing his role as a celestial warrior preparing to execute judgment.

Verse 6

God’s standing and measuring the earth signifies his sovereign authority over all creation. The scattering of nations and the movement of mountains emphasize the catastrophic scope of his judgment.

Verse 8

These rhetorical questions deny that God’s anger is against the rivers or the sea itself. The imagery recalls the parting of the Red Sea and the Jordan River, confirming that God’s actions are always directed toward the salvation of his people.

Verse 9

The reference to 'oaths of the tribes' links God’s mighty acts (like cleaving the earth) directly to the covenant promises made to Israel. God acts because of his sworn word, not simply arbitrary power.

Verse 13

God goes forth for the salvation of his people, even with 'thine anointed' (Heb. *mashiach*). This term can refer to a specific king, a chosen leader (like Joshua), or the nation of Israel itself, set apart for God’s purpose.

Verse 16

After witnessing the vision of God’s awesome judgment (Vv. 3-15), the prophet expresses a profound, physical terror. This trembling is the necessary prelude to the declaration of faith that follows.

Verse 17

This verse describes total economic collapse—the worst possible scenario for an agrarian society. Habakkuk anticipates complete devastation as a result of the impending invasion (Ch. 1:6).

Verse 18

This is the theological climax of the book, demonstrating the principle established in 2:4 (the just shall live by faith). Despite the utter loss of all material goods, the prophet chooses joy and dependence on God alone.

Verse 19

The imagery of 'hinds’ feet' signifies surefootedness, stability, and speed, allowing the prophet to walk securely on high, dangerous places. God provides the strength to navigate the coming judgment with confidence. The final line is a concluding musical direction.

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