Habakkuk’s Third Prayer
1A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet. According to Shigionoth. Perhaps a passionate song with rapid changes of rhythm, or a dirge Ps 7 title
2Lord, I have heard the report about You;
Lord, I stand in awe of Your deeds. 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! Is 60:10
3God comes from Teman,
the Holy One from Mount Paran. Dt 33:2; Jdg 5:4-5Selah
His splendor covers the heavens,
and the earth is full of His praise. 1Ch 29:11; Jb 37:22; Ps 48:10; 72:19; 148:13; Is 42:10
4His brilliance is like light;
rays are flashing from His hand.
This is where His power is hidden.
5Plague goes before Him,
and pestilence follows in His steps.
6He stands and shakes Or surveys the earth; 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. Mc 1:4; Zch 14:4
His pathways are ancient. Jr 6:16; 18:15
7I see the tents of Cushan = Midian in distress;
the tent curtains of the land of Midian tremble.
8Are You angry at the rivers, Lord?
Is Your wrath against the rivers?
Or is Your rage against the sea
when You ride on Your horses,
Your victorious chariot? Ps 68:17
9You took the sheath from Your bow;
the arrows are ready Or set to be used with an oath. Hb obscure Dt 32:40-43Selah
You split the earth with rivers.
10The mountains see You and shudder; Ps 77:16
a downpour of water sweeps by.
The deep roars with its voice Ex 19:18; Ps 77:16
and lifts its waves Lit hands high.
11Sun and moon stand still in their lofty residence, Jos 10:12-13
at the flash of Your flying arrows,
at the brightness of Your shining spear.
12You march across the earth with indignation;
You trample down the nations in wrath. Ps 60:12; 68:30; 108:13; Is 25:10; 63:3; Mc 1:3
13You come out to save Your people, 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. The Davidic king or the nation of Israel
You crush the leader of the house of the wicked
and strip him from foot Lit foundation to neck.Selah
14You pierce his head
with his own spears;
his warriors storm out to scatter us,
gloating as if ready to secretly devour the weak.
15You tread the sea with Your horses,
stirring up the great waters. Ps 77:19
Habakkuk’s Confidence in God Expressed
16I heard, and I trembled within; 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 Is 37:3; Ob 12,14; Nah 1:7
to come against the people invading us.
17Though 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 there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
18yet I will triumph in Yahweh;
I will rejoice in the God of my salvation! 1Sm 2:1; 1Ch 16:35; Ps 9:14; 40:16; 73:25; Is 25:9; 61:10
19Yahweh my Lord is my strength; 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 Ps 18:33
and enables me to walk on mountain heights! 2Sm 22:34; Ps 18:33
For the choir director: on Lit on my stringed instruments.
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