Habakkuk 3

1 This is a [sung, set to music] prayer [supplication, request to God] of Habakkuk [embrace, one who clings to God] the prophet [one who speaks for God], according to [upon, in the style of] Shigionoth [a type of poem or song, possibly a dithyramb]: word study 2 O LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God], I have heard the report [sound, rumor, or announcement] of You; I stand in awe [fear, revere], O LORD, of Your deeds [work, actions]. Revive [give life, quicken] them in these years [midst of the years]; make them known [clear, manifest] in these years. In Your wrath [turmoil, commotion], remember [recall, mark] mercy [compassion, love]! word study 3 God [Eloah, the one true deity] came from Teman [a region in Edom], and the Holy One [set apart, sacred] from Mount Paran [a desert area in Arabia]. Selah [a pause, a musical rest] His glory [splendor, majestic presence] covered the heavens [the visible sky and the abode of God], and His praise [a song of praise] filled [to make full, to complete] the earth [the land, the material world]. word study 4 His radiance [like the sunlight, shining brightly] was like the sunlight [light, including natural and spiritual illumination]; rays [beams of light, divine power] flashed from His hand [an open hand; strength, a side or share], where [in that place, at that point] His power [strength, might, or boldness] is hidden [concealed, in a hiding place, reserved]. word study 5 Plague [pestilence, disease] went before Him [to His face, in His presence], and fever [burning coals, fiery bolts] followed in His steps [at His feet, behind Him]. word study 6 He stood [in a strong sense, firmly established] and measured [shook, surveyed] the earth [land, ground]; He looked [as the Provider, with care] and startled [drove asunder, shook off] the nations [Gentiles, non-Hebrew peoples]; the ancient [eternal, perpetual] mountains crumbled [were scattered, shattered]; the perpetual [everlasting, age-old] hills collapsed [bowed, did bow]. His ways [paths, journeys] are everlasting [forever, eternal]. word study 7 I saw [with spiritual insight, perceived] the tents [nomadic dwellings, tabernacles] of Cushan [a region in Arabia, their blackness] in distress [affliction, trouble]; the curtains [hangings, trembling fabrics] of Midian [a tribe, descendants of Abraham] were trembling [shaking, quivering with fear]. word study 8 Were You angry [incensed, furious] at the rivers [a flood], O LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God]? Was Your wrath [strong anger, zeal] against the streams [rivers, flowing waters]? Did You rage [be furious, burn with anger] against the sea [a large body of water] when You rode [placed Yourself upon, mounted] on Your horses [chariot horses, swift steeds], on Your chariots [vehicles for transportation or warfare] of salvation [deliverance, victory, prosperity]? word study 9 You brandished [uncovered, made bare] Your bow [an archer’s weapon]; You called for [summoned, filled your quiver with] many arrows [sworn, sure word]. Selah [pause, rest] You split [cleaved, broke open] the earth [land, ground] with rivers [streams, waters]. word study 10 The mountains [hills] saw You [as the Provider, with care] and quaked [twisted in fear, were afraid]; torrents [storms, overflowing] of water [liquid, source of refreshment] swept by [passed over, transitioned]. The deep [abyss, subterranean water supply] roared [uttered its voice, made a sound] with its voice [sound, expression] and lifted [raised, elevated] its hands [strength, direction] on high [elevated, exalted]. word study 11 Sun [the celestial body] and moon [the natural satellite, governing phases] stood still [came to a complete halt, paused] in their places [elevated habitation, lofty abode] at the flash [sudden, brief light] of Your flying arrows [sharp, swift projectiles], at the brightness [radiant, shining light] of Your shining [glittering, sparkling] spear [a thrusting weapon, lance]. word study 12 You marched [with purpose, in indignation] across the earth [the land, the world] with fury [intense anger, wrath]; You threshed [trampled, overpowered] the nations [Gentiles, heathen] in wrath [anger, displeasure]. word study 13 You went forth [for the deliverance, to rescue] for the salvation [rescue, deliverance] of Your people [nation, community], to save [rescue, redeem] Your anointed [Messiah, chosen one]. You crushed [severely wounded, shattered] the head [leader, chief] of the house [family, dwelling] of the wicked [morally wrong, guilty] and stripped [laid bare, uncovered] him from head [top] to toe [bottom, foundation]. Selah [pause, rest] word study 14 With his own spear [staff, tribe leader’s rod] You pierced [to curse, violently struck] his head [the topmost part of the body], when his warriors [strong leaders, chieftains] stormed out [raged, came like a whirlwind] to scatter [disperse, shatter] us, gloating [with great joy, exultation] as though ready to secretly [in hiding, covertly] devour [eat, consume] the weak [afflicted, humble]. word study 15 You trampled [tread, walked through] the sea [a large body of water] with Your horses [chariot horses, swallow-like], churning [causing to surge] [stirring up] the great [many, mighty] waters [a source of refreshment, a liquid]. word study 16 I heard [with attention and obedience] and trembled within; my lips [the edge of my mouth, the instrument of speech] quivered at the sound [voice, a noise that conveys meaning]. Decay [rottenness, moral corruption] entered my bones [the substance of my body]; I trembled [shook with fear, was deeply disturbed] where I stood. Yet I must wait patiently [rest, settle down] for the day [a period of time, an appointed season] of distress [trouble, a state of vexation] to come upon the people [a nation, a group of individuals] who invade [attack, raid] us. word study 17 Though the fig tree [does not flourish, will not blossom] does not bud [fail to sprout, will not produce] and no fruit [grapes, produce] is on the vines [grapevines], though the olive crop [labor of the olive tree, olive harvest] fails [will not produce, comes to nothing] and the fields [cultivated land, pastures] produce no food [yield no harvest, give no crops], though the sheep [flock, sheep and goats] are cut off [removed, severed] from the fold [pen, enclosure] and no cattle [herd, domesticated animals] are in the stalls [stable, resting place], word study 18 yet I [personally, as an individual] will exult [jump for joy, rejoice triumphantly] in the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God]; I will rejoice [be glad, express strong emotions] in the God [Elohim, the one supreme God] of my salvation [deliverance, rescue]! word study 19 GOD [Yehovah, the Lord of all strength] the Lord [Adonay, the sovereign Master] is my strength [power, might, or ability]; He makes my feet [steps, or paths] like those of a deer [doe, or hind]; He makes me walk [tread, or step] upon the heights [high places, or mountains]! For the choirmaster [chief musician, or leader of music]. With stringed instruments [music, or song, especially instrumental music]. word study