Habakkuk 3
3
Habakkuk’s Prayer
1This prayer was sung by the prophet Habakkuk#3:1 Hebrew adds according to shigionoth, probably indicating the musical setting for the prayer.:
2I have heard all about you, Lord.
I am filled with awe by your amazing works.
In this time of our deep need,
help us again as you did in years gone by.
And in your anger,
remember your mercy.
3I see God moving across the deserts from Edom,#3:3a Hebrew Teman.
the Holy One coming from Mount Paran.#3:3b Hebrew adds selah; also in 3:9, 13. The meaning of this Hebrew term is uncertain; it is probably a musical or literary term.
His brilliant splendor fills the heavens,
and the earth is filled with his praise.
4His coming is as brilliant as the sunrise.
Rays of light flash from his hands,
where his awesome power is hidden.
5Pestilence marches before him;
plague follows close behind.
6When he stops, the earth shakes.
When he looks, the nations tremble.
He shatters the everlasting mountains
and levels the eternal hills.
He is the Eternal One!#3:6 Or The ancient paths belong to him.
7I see the people of Cushan in distress,
and the nation of Midian trembling in terror.
8Was it in anger, Lord, that you struck the rivers
and parted the sea?
Were you displeased with them?
No, you were sending your chariots of salvation!
9You brandished your bow
and your quiver of arrows.
You split open the earth with flowing rivers.
10The mountains watched and trembled.
Onward swept the raging waters.
The mighty deep cried out,
lifting its hands in submission.
11The sun and moon stood still in the sky
as your brilliant arrows flew
and your glittering spear flashed.
12You marched across the land in anger
and trampled the nations in your fury.
13You went out to rescue your chosen people,
to save your anointed ones.
You crushed the heads of the wicked
and stripped their bones from head to toe.
14With his own weapons,
you destroyed the chief of those
who rushed out like a whirlwind,
thinking Israel would be easy prey.
15You trampled the sea with your horses,
and the mighty waters piled high.
16I trembled inside when I heard this;
my lips quivered with fear.
My legs gave way beneath me,#3:16 Hebrew Decay entered my bones.
and I shook in terror.
I will wait quietly for the coming day
when disaster will strike the people who invade us.
17Even though the fig trees have no blossoms,
and there are no grapes on the vines;
even though the olive crop fails,
and the fields lie empty and barren;
even though the flocks die in the fields,
and the cattle barns are empty,
18yet I will rejoice in the Lord!
I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
19The Sovereign Lord is my strength!
He makes me as surefooted as a deer,#3:19 Or He gives me the speed of a deer.
able to tread upon the heights.
(For the choir director: This prayer is to be accompanied by stringed instruments.)
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Habakkuk 3: NLT
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Holy Bible, New Living Translation copyright 1996, 2004, 2007, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation.
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Habakkuk 3
3
A Prayer of Habakkuk
1This is a prayer of the prophet Habakkuk:#3.1 Hebrew has an additional phrase, the meaning of which is unclear.
2O LORD, I have heard of what you have done,
and I am filled with awe.
Now do again in our times
the great deeds you used to do.
Be merciful, even when you are angry.
3God is coming again from Edom;
the holy God is coming from the hills of Paran.
His splendour covers the heavens;
and the earth is full of his praise.
4He comes with the brightness of lightning;
light flashes from his hand,
there where his power is hidden.
5He sends disease before him
and commands death to follow him.
6When he stops, the earth shakes;
at his glance the nations tremble.
The eternal mountains are shattered;
the everlasting hills sink down,
the hills where he walked in ancient times.
7I saw the people of Cushan afraid
and the people of Midian tremble.
8Was it the rivers that made you angry, LORD?
Was it the sea that made you furious?
You rode upon the clouds;
the storm cloud was your chariot,
as you brought victory to your people.
9You got ready to use your bow,
ready to shoot your arrows.#3.9 Probable text ready to shoot your arrows; Hebrew unclear.
Your lightning split open the earth.
10When the mountains saw you, they trembled;
water poured down from the skies.
The waters under the earth roared,
and their waves rose high.
11At the flash of your speeding arrows
and the gleam of your shining spear,
the sun and the moon stood still.
12You marched across the earth in anger;
in fury you trampled the nations.
13You went out to save your people,
to save your chosen king.
You struck down the leader of the wicked
and completely destroyed his followers.#3.13 Probable text completely… followers; Hebrew unclear.
14Your arrows pierced the commander of his army
when it came like a storm to scatter us,
gloating like those who secretly oppress the poor.#3.14 Verse 14 in Hebrew is unclear.
15You trampled the sea with your horses,
and the mighty waters foamed.
16I hear all this, and I tremble;
my lips quiver with fear.
My body goes limp,
and my feet stumble#3.16 Probable text my feet stumble; Hebrew I am excited, because. beneath me.
I will quietly wait for the time to come
when God will punish those who attack us.
17Even though the fig trees have no fruit
and no grapes grow on the vines,
even though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no corn,
even though the sheep all die
and the cattle stalls are empty,
18I will still be joyful and glad,
because the LORD God is my saviour.
19 #
2 Sam 22.34; Ps 18.33 The Sovereign LORD gives me strength.
He makes me sure-footed as a deer,
and keeps me safe on the mountains.
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Good News Bible with Deuterocanonicals/Apocrypha. Scripture taken from the Good News Bible (r) (Today's English Version Second Edition, UK/British Edition). Copyright © 1992 British & Foreign Bible Society. Used by permission.