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.

Title and Prayer for Revival

1
A prayer of Habakkuk, the prophet, set to victorious music. ​
2
LORD, I have heard of your fame. I stand in awe of your deeds, LORD. Renew your work in the midst of the years. In the midst of the years make it known. In wrath, you remember mercy. ​

The Lord's Triumphant Theophany

3
God came from Teman, the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah. His glory covered the heavens, and his praise filled the earth. ​
4
His splendor is like the sunrise. Rays shine from his hand, where his power is hidden. ​
5
Plague went before him, and pestilence followed his feet. ​
6
He stood, and shook the earth. He looked, and made the nations tremble. The ancient mountains were crumbled. The age-old hills collapsed. His ways are eternal. ​
7
I saw the tents of Cushan in affliction. The dwellings of the land of Midian trembled.
8
Was the LORD displeased with the rivers? Was your anger against the rivers, or your wrath against the sea, that you rode on your horses, on your chariots of salvation? ​
9
You uncovered your bow. You called for your sworn arrows. Selah. You split the earth with rivers. ​
10
The mountains saw you, and were afraid. The storm of waters passed by. The deep roared and lifted up its hands on high.
11
The sun and moon stood still in the sky, at the light of your arrows as they went, at the shining of your glittering spear.
12
You marched through the land in wrath. You threshed the nations in anger.
13
You went out for the salvation of your people, for the salvation of your anointed. You crushed the head of the land of wickedness. You stripped them head to foot. Selah. ​
14
You pierced the heads of his warriors with their own spears. They came as a whirlwind to scatter me, gloating as if to devour the wretched in secret.
15
You trampled the sea with your horses, churning mighty waters.

The Prophet's Response of Faith

16
I heard, and my body trembled. My lips quivered at the voice. Rottenness enters 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 who invade us. ​
17
For though the fig tree doesn’t flourish, nor fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive fails, the fields yield no food; the flocks are cut off from the fold, and there is no herd in the stalls: ​
18
yet I will rejoice in the LORD. I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! ​
19
The LORD, the Lord, is my strength. He makes my feet like deer’s feet, and enables me to go in high places. For the music director, on my stringed instruments. ​

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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