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.)
Currently Selected:
Habakkuk 3: NLT
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
Holy Bible, New Living Translation copyright 1996, 2004, 2007, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation.
For more information about the NLT:
Habakkuk 3
3
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.
Currently Selected:
:
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
© 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee. All rights reserved.