Habacuque 3

Habakkuk’s Third Prayer

1 A prayer of the prophet Habakkuk. According to Shigionoth.  * 3:1 Perhaps a passionate song with rapid changes of rhythm, or a dirge,* 3:1 Ps 7 title

2 Lord, I have heard the report about you;

Lord, I stand in awe of your deeds.  * 3:2 Ps 44:1; 64:9; 77:12; 90:16; 92:4; 111:3; 143:5

Revive your work in these years;

make it known in these years.

In your wrath remember mercy!  * 3:2 Is 60:10

3 God comes from Teman,

the Holy One from Mount Paran.  * 3:3 Dt 33:2; Jdg 5:4–5Selah

His splendor covers the heavens,

and the earth is full of his praise.  * 3:3 1Ch 29:11; Jb 37:22; Ps 48:10; 72:19; 148:13; Is 42:10

4 His brilliance is like light;

rays are flashing from his hand.

This is where his power is hidden.

5 Plague goes before him,

and pestilence follows in his steps.

6 He stands and shakes  * 3:6 Or surveys the earth;  * 3:6 Jb 9:6; Is 13:13; 24:19; Jl 2:10; 3:16; Hg 2:6,21; Heb 12:26

he looks and startles the nations.

The age-old mountains break apart;

the ancient hills sink down.  * 3:6 Mc 1:4; Zch 14:4

His pathways are ancient.  * 3:6 Jr 6:16; 18:15

7 I see the tents of Cushan  * 3:7 = Midian in distress;

the tent curtains of the land of Midian tremble.

8 Are you angry at the rivers,  Lord?

Is your wrath against the rivers?

Or is your fury against the sea

when you ride on your horses,

your victorious chariot?  * 3:8 Ps 68:17

9 You took the sheath from your bow;

the arrows are ready  * 3:9 Or set to be used with an oath.  * 3:9 Hb obscure,* 3:9 Dt 32:40–43Selah

You split the earth with rivers.

10 The mountains see you and shudder;  * 3:10 Ps 77:16

a downpour of water sweeps by.

The deep roars with its voice  * 3:10 Ex 19:18; Ps 77:16

and lifts its waves  * 3:10 Lit hands  high.

11 Sun and moon stand still in their lofty residence,  * 3:11 Jos 10:12–13

at the flash of your flying arrows,

at the brightness of your shining spear.

12 You march across the earth with indignation;

you trample down the nations in wrath.  * 3:12 Ps 60:12; 68:30; 108:13; Is 25:10; 63:3; Mc 1:3

13 You come out to save your people,  * 3:13 Dt 33:29; Jdg 2:18; Ps 28:9; Jr 15:20; Ezk 37:23; Zch 8:7; 9:16; Mt 1:21

to save your anointed.  * 3:13 The Davidic king or the nation of Israel

You crush the leader of the house of the wicked

and strip him from foot  * 3:13 Lit foundation to neck. Selah

14 You pierce his head

with his own spears;

his warriors storm out to scatter us,

gloating as if ready to secretly devour the weak.

15 You tread the sea with your horses,

stirring up the vast water.  * 3:15 Ps 77:19

Habakkuk’s Confidence in God Expressed

16 I heard, and I trembled within;  * 3:16 Dn 10:4–9; Rv 1:17

my lips quivered at the sound.

Rottenness entered my bones;

I trembled where I stood.

Now I must quietly wait for the day of distress  * 3:16 Is 37:3; Ob 12,14; Nah 1:7

to come against the people invading us.

17 Though the fig tree does not bud

and there is no fruit on the vines,

though the olive crop fails

and the fields produce no food,

though the flocks disappear from the pen

and there are no herds in the stalls,

18 yet I will celebrate in the  Lord;

I will rejoice in the God of my salvation!  * 3:18 1Sm 2:1; 1Ch 16:35; Ps 9:14; 40:16; 73:25; Is 25:9; 61:10

19 The Lord my Lord is my strength;  * 3:19 1Sm 30:6; 1Ch 16:11; Ps 18:1; 22:19; 28:7–8; 29:11; 105:4; 118:14; Is 12:2; 33:2; 45:24; 49:5; 51:9; Jr 16:19; Eph 6:10

he makes my feet like those of a deer  * 3:19 Ps 18:33

and enables me to walk on mountain heights!  * 3:19 2Sm 22:34; Ps 18:33

For the choir director: on  * 3:19 Lit on my stringed instruments.