Habakkuk 3:1-16--Habakkuk's Prayer

Habakkuk 3:1-16
English Standard Version

Habakkuk's Prayer
3 A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet, according to Shigionoth.

2 O LORD, I have heard the report of you,
    and your work, O LORD, do I fear.
In the midst of the years revive it;
    in the midst of the years make it known;
    in wrath remember mercy.
3 God came from Teman,
    and the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah
His splendor covered the heavens,
    and the earth was full of his praise.
4 His brightness was like the light;
    rays flashed from his hand;
    and there he veiled his power.
5 Before him went pestilence,
    and plague followed at his heels.
6 He stood and measured the earth;
    he looked and shook the nations;
then the eternal mountains were scattered;
    the everlasting hills sank low.
    His were the everlasting ways.
7 I saw the tents of Cushan in affliction;
    the curtains of the land of Midian did tremble.
8 Was your wrath against the rivers, O LORD?
    Was your anger against the rivers,
    or your indignation against the sea,
when you rode on your horses,
    on your chariot of salvation?
9 You stripped the sheath from your bow,
    calling for many arrows. Selah
    You split the earth with rivers.
10 The mountains saw you and writhed;
    the raging waters swept on;
the deep gave forth its voice;
    it lifted its hands on high.
11 The sun and moon stood still in their place
    at the light of your arrows as they sped,
    at the flash of your glittering spear.
12 You marched through the earth in fury;
    you threshed the nations in anger.
13 You went out for the salvation of your people,
    for the salvation of your anointed.
You crushed the head of the house of the wicked,
    laying him bare from thigh to neck. Selah
14 You pierced with his own arrows the heads of his warriors,
    who came like a whirlwind to scatter me,
    rejoicing as if to devour the poor in secret.
15 You trampled the sea with your horses,
    the surging of mighty waters.

16 I hear, and my body trembles;
    my lips quiver at the sound;
rottenness enters into my bones;
    my legs tremble beneath me.
Yet I will quietly wait for the day of trouble
    to come upon people who invade us.

---

This is the beginning of the last chapter of the book of Habakkuk.  It is written more as a song or a psalm even though it is called a prayer here, as it uses the word "Selah" that is mostly found in the Psalms and in other songs.  Though we don't know exactly what "Selah" means, many think it marks the end of a verse, possibly telling the singer to pause and reflect before continuing.  In any case, this musical feature to chapter three sets it apart from chapters one and two.

Habakkuk decides that even though he doesn't fully understand the LORD's plan, he will worship the LORD for who he is, what He has already done, and what Habakkuk is certain He will do in the future--so certain that he uses the past tense to speak of future events as if they have already happened.  There is a mixture between the salvation and deliverance that the LORD has provided in the past and what Habakkuk is sure He will provide in the future.  Why do I say this?  Because in the past, the LORD brought His people together into the Land from one place, and even when they return from Exile, they will mostly be returning from the East (though some from the North and South), but not even in this current Exile were the people taken to the West.  Habakkuk speaks of a greater return (when Messiah comes to reign) when the LORD's people will come from North, South, East and West and gather back together in the Land as a united people.

Though the LORD is a mighty warrior that brings to bear the forces of nature and even pagan armies to do His will, He also is the one who redeems and restores His people at the proper time.  The whole earth will be broken by the shaking of heaven and earth at His coming, but His Land and His People will be safe and secure.  He advances in battle for the purpose of saving His people.  The nations will be sifted like grain and the good grain will be gathered into His storehouses while the wicked chaff will be burned with unquenchable fire.

No man or army can stand against Him, though there will be fools that will try.  The warriors that try to fight against Him will die by their own weapons.  Those who came to devour the LORD's people will be destroyed.  Those who came to rob them will leave their possessions as an inheritance for the LORD's people.  Habakkuk says the idea is joyfully terrifying, but he will quietly await this coming Day.  In the end, he knows the Chaldeans will get what is coming to them, even if it doesn't come in Habakkuk's lifetime.  Evil and the kingdom of this world will not triumph.