Habakkuk 3:19

KJV

The LORD God [is] my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' [feet], and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.

KJV (with Strong's)

The LORD {H3069} God {H136} is my strength {H2428}, and he will make {H7760} my feet {H7272} like hinds {H355}' feet, and he will make me to walk {H1869} upon mine high places {H1116}. To the chief singer {H5329} on my stringed instruments {H5058}.

Complete Jewish Bible

ELOHIM Adonai is my strength! He makes me swift and sure-footed as a deer and enables me to stride over my high places. For the leader. With my stringed instruments.

Berean Standard Bible

GOD the Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like those of a deer; He makes me walk upon the heights! For the choirmaster. With stringed instruments.

American Standard Version

Jehovah, the Lord, is my strength; And he maketh my feet like hinds’ feet, And will make me to walk upon my high places.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Habakkuk 3:19 serves as the triumphant crescendo to the prophet Habakkuk's prayer, articulating a profound declaration of unwavering faith and trust in the Lord God amidst the looming specter of national devastation. It encapsulates a powerful message of divine strength, enablement, and ultimate victory, asserting that even when all earthly resources fail and circumstances appear dire, the believer's ability to navigate treacherous paths and attain spiritual elevation comes solely from God. This verse transforms lament into a song of resolute praise, intended for public worship.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Habakkuk 3:19 concludes the prophet's magnificent prayer (Habakkuk 3:1-19), which itself marks a pivotal turning point in the book. Chapters 1 and 2 present Habakkuk's lament and dialogue with God regarding the pervasive wickedness within Judah and the terrifying prospect of the Babylonians as God's instrument of judgment. The prophet grapples with the problem of evil and divine justice. Chapter 3, however, shifts dramatically from questioning to profound faith and worship. Despite the stark realities of impending famine and desolation described in the preceding verses (Habakkuk 3:17-18), where the prophet declares that even if all agricultural produce fails, he will still rejoice in the Lord, verse 19 stands as the ultimate statement of his confident resolve. It is a personal declaration of reliance on God's strength, framed as a psalm or song, indicated by the concluding musical notation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Habakkuk prophesied during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, likely in the late 7th century BCE, just before the Babylonian invasion and the destruction of Jerusalem (c. 605-586 BCE). The nation was steeped in idolatry and social injustice, prompting God's judgment through the formidable Chaldean (Babylonian) empire. The imagery of "hinds' feet" and "high places" carries significant cultural weight. Hinds (female deer) were renowned for their agility, swiftness, and ability to navigate rugged, mountainous terrain with sure-footedness, symbolizing secure movement in perilous environments. "High places" (Hebrew: _bâmâh_) in a positive sense often referred to elevated, secure locations, sometimes associated with places of worship or strategic advantage, contrasting with the vulnerable lowlands. The reference to "chief singer on my stringed instruments" indicates that this prayer was not merely a private meditation but a liturgical piece, intended for public worship in the Temple, reflecting a culture where faith was often expressed communally through music.
* **Key Themes:** Habakkuk 3:19 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book and broader biblical theology. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Trust**, asserting that God remains in control and is worthy of absolute trust, even when His ways are inscrutable or His judgments severe. It underscores the theme of **Faith Amidst Adversity**, demonstrating that true faith perseveres beyond immediate circumstances, finding joy and strength in God alone, as seen in the prophet's resolve to rejoice "though the fig tree should not blossom" ([Habakkuk 3:17](/habakkuk/3-17 "Habakkuk 3:17 - Faith Amidst Desolation")). The imagery of "hinds' feet" and "high places" highlights **Divine Enablement and Security**, portraying God as the one who equips His people with the spiritual agility and stability to navigate life's most treacherous paths and elevates them to a place of spiritual vantage and safety, a concept echoed in [Psalm 18:33](/psalms/18-33 "Psalm 18:33 - God Makes My Feet Like Hinds' Feet") and [2 Samuel 22:34](/2_samuel/22-34 "2 Samuel 22:34 - God Equips for Battle"). Finally, the concluding musical notation emphasizes **Worship as a Response to Faith**, transforming personal declaration into a communal song of praise, even in the face of despair.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **strength (Hebrew, _chayil'_):** From H2428, this word denotes not merely physical power but a comprehensive range of vigor, might, valor, and resourcefulness. It implies God provides all necessary ability, capacity, and fortitude for the prophet to face his challenges, encompassing moral, spiritual, and physical resilience.
* **hinds (Hebrew, _ʼayâlâh'_):** From H355, referring to a doe or female deer. This imagery is crucial, as hinds are known for their swiftness, sure-footedness, and agility, particularly in navigating difficult, rocky, or elevated terrain. It symbolizes God's supernatural ability to equip His people to move with grace, stability, and purpose through perilous circumstances where others would falter.
* **high places (Hebrew, _bâmâh'_):** From H1116, this word signifies an elevation or height. In this context, it represents not just physical elevation but a position of security, triumph, spiritual vantage, and perhaps even communion with God, implying that God lifts the believer above the immediate turmoil to a place of safety and perspective.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The LORD God [is] my strength":** This opening clause establishes the foundational truth of the verse. "The LORD God" combines YHWH (H3069), God's covenant name, with Adonai (H136), meaning "my Lord" or "my Master," emphasizing both His personal relationship with the prophet and His absolute sovereignty. The declaration "is my strength" (Hebrew: _chayil_) asserts that God Himself is the sole and comprehensive source of the prophet's power, vigor, and capacity to endure and overcome, not human might or external circumstances.
* **"and he will make my feet like hinds' [feet]":** This vivid metaphor illustrates God's divine enablement. Just as a hind is agile and sure-footed on treacherous mountain paths, God promises to equip the prophet with spiritual stability, swiftness, and resilience to navigate the difficult and dangerous circumstances ahead. It speaks to supernatural agility and balance in the face of adversity, allowing one to move forward without stumbling.
* **"and he will make me to walk upon mine high places":** This clause signifies triumph and elevation. "High places" represent positions of security, victory, and spiritual vantage, contrasting with the vulnerable lowlands. God's promise is not merely to help the prophet survive the trials but to lead him to a place of spiritual ascendancy, where he can stand firm and gain perspective above the turmoil, demonstrating God's power to lift His people beyond their struggles.
* **"To the chief singer on my stringed instruments":** This concluding phrase serves as a musical superscription, indicating that Habakkuk's prayer of faith was intended to be set to music and sung publicly. "Chief singer" (H5329, _nâtsach_) refers to the worship leader or choirmaster, and "stringed instruments" (H5058, _nᵉgîynâh_) specifies the accompanying music. This transforms a personal declaration into a corporate song of worship, emphasizing that even in the face of despair, faith culminates in praise and adoration, making the prayer a liturgical piece for the community.

#### Literary Devices
Habakkuk 3:19 is rich with **Imagery**, particularly the powerful metaphor of "hinds' feet" and "high places." This imagery evokes a sense of agility, security, and triumph over challenging terrain, vividly portraying God's ability to equip and elevate His people. The verse also employs **Personification** by attributing strength and the ability to make one's feet like hinds' feet directly to "The LORD God," making His active involvement palpable. The structure of the verse, moving from a declarative statement of God's nature ("The LORD God is my strength") to a description of His active enablement ("he will make my feet... and he will make me to walk"), demonstrates a clear **Cause and Effect** relationship, where God's nature as strength directly leads to the believer's empowerment. Finally, the concluding musical notation acts as a **Superscription**, indicating the liturgical purpose and transforming the personal prayer into a communal hymn of faith, underscoring the performative and communal aspect of worship.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Habakkuk 3:19 profoundly articulates the theological truth that God is the ultimate source of strength and enablement for His people, especially in times of profound crisis. It moves beyond a mere declaration of God's power to illustrate how that power is actively applied to the believer's life, granting not just survival but triumph and spiritual elevation. This verse teaches that true faith does not deny the reality of suffering or impending disaster but finds its anchor in the unchanging character of God, leading to a resolute joy and a confident expectation of divine assistance. It transforms the experience of fear and questioning into one of worship and trust, demonstrating that even when all seems lost, God can make His people sure-footed and lift them to a place of security and perspective.

* [Psalm 27:1](/psalms/27-1 "The Lord is My Light and Salvation")
* [Philippians 4:13](/philippians/4-13 "I Can Do All Things Through Christ")
* [Isaiah 40:31](/isaiah/40-31 "Those Who Wait on the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Habakkuk 3:19 offers profound comfort and challenge for believers today, reminding us that our ultimate strength and stability come from God alone, not from our circumstances, resources, or personal abilities. In a world often characterized by uncertainty, economic instability, and personal trials, this verse calls us to shift our focus from what we lack or what threatens us to the unwavering power and faithfulness of the Lord God. It encourages us to cultivate a faith that can rejoice even when the "fig tree does not blossom" and to trust that God will equip us with the spiritual agility and resilience (like "hinds' feet") to navigate the most challenging terrains of life. Furthermore, it promises that God will not merely help us survive but will enable us to "walk upon high places," lifting us to a position of spiritual victory, perspective, and intimacy with Him, transforming our laments into songs of praise. Our response to God's strength should be one of worship, turning our personal declarations of faith into a communal testimony of His goodness, even in the midst of hardship.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What current "high places" or challenging terrains in your life require God's strength and "hinds' feet" agility?**
* **How does the declaration "The LORD God is my strength" challenge or affirm your current understanding of reliance on God?**
* **In what ways can you transform a personal struggle or lament into a "song" or act of worship, even before the outcome is clear?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of the "hinds' feet" imagery in Habakkuk 3:19?**

Answer: The imagery of "hinds' feet" (female deer) is highly significant because hinds are renowned for their agility, swiftness, and sure-footedness, especially when navigating treacherous, rocky, or mountainous terrain. In [Habakkuk 3:19](/habakkuk/3-19 "Habakkuk 3:19 - God My Strength, Hinds' Feet"), it symbolizes God's supernatural ability to equip His people with spiritual stability, resilience, and the capacity to move forward with grace and purpose through extremely difficult and perilous circumstances. It's a promise that even when life's path is rugged and dangerous, God will enable His followers to traverse it securely and without stumbling, reaching a place of safety and elevation. This metaphor is also found in other biblical passages, such as [Psalm 18:33](/psalms/18-33 "Psalm 18:33 - God Makes My Feet Like Hinds' Feet") and [2 Samuel 22:34](/2_samuel/22-34 "2 Samuel 22:34 - God Equips for Battle"), underscoring its consistent meaning of divine enablement in overcoming obstacles.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Habakkuk 3:19 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "LORD God" who is the prophet's strength is fully revealed in the person of Jesus, who is "God with us" ([Matthew 1:23](/matthew/1-23 "Matthew 1:23 - Immanuel")). In Christ, believers find not just a source of strength, but strength personified, for He is the one through whom we "can do all things" ([Philippians 4:13](/philippians/4-13 "Philippians 4:13 - I Can Do All Things Through Christ")). The promise to make one's feet like "hinds' feet" and to "walk upon high places" beautifully foreshadows the spiritual agility and elevated position believers gain through their union with Christ. We are not merely enabled to navigate earthly trials, but are spiritually raised with Him and seated "in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus" ([Ephesians 2:6](/ephesians/2-6 "Ephesians 2:6 - Seated in Heavenly Places")). Through His death and resurrection, Jesus conquered sin, death, and the powers of darkness, enabling His followers to walk in newness of life, overcoming the world's challenges with a divine resilience that transcends human capability ([Romans 8:37](/romans/8-37 "Romans 8:37 - More Than Conquerors")). The concluding musical notation points to the new song of praise that the redeemed sing, a worship that flows from the triumphant work of Christ on the cross, transforming lament into eternal joy and victory ([Revelation 5:9](/revelation/5-9 "Revelation 5:9 - The New Song")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Samuel 22:34

He maketh my feet like hinds' [feet]: and setteth me upon my high places.

Psalms 18:33

He maketh my feet like hinds' [feet], and setteth me upon my high places.

Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Psalms 46:1

¶ To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth. God [is] our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Deuteronomy 32:13

He made him ride on the high places of the earth, that he might eat the increase of the fields; and he made him to suck honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock;

Psalms 27:1

¶ [A Psalm] of David. The LORD [is] my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD [is] the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Isaiah 58:14

Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken [it].