Habakkuk - Chapter 3

Habakkuk 3.1 A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet upon Shigionoth. Habakkuk 3.2 O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy. Habakkuk 3.3 God came from Teman, and the Holy One from mount Paran. Selah. His glory covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise. Habakkuk 3.4 And his brightness was as the light; he had horns coming out of his hand: and there was the hiding of his power. Habakkuk 3.5 Before him went the pestilence, and burning coals went forth at his feet. Habakkuk 3.6 He stood, and measured the earth: he beheld, and drove asunder the nations; and the everlasting mountains were scattered, the perpetual hills did bow: his ways are everlasting. Habakkuk 3.7 I saw the tents of Cushan in affliction: and the curtains of the land of Midian did tremble. Habakkuk 3.8 Was the LORD displeased against the rivers? was thine anger against the rivers? was thy wrath against the sea, that thou didst ride upon thine horses and thy chariots of salvation? Habakkuk 3.9 Thy bow was made quite naked, according to the oaths of the tribes, even thy word. Selah. Thou didst cleave the earth with rivers. Habakkuk 3.10 The mountains saw thee, and they trembled: the overflowing of the water passed by: the deep uttered his voice, and lifted up his hands on high. Habakkuk 3.11 The sun and moon stood still in their habitation: at the light of thine arrows they went, and at the shining of thy glittering spear. Habakkuk 3.12 Thou didst march through the land in indignation, thou didst thresh the heathen in anger. Habakkuk 3.13 Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people, even for salvation with thine anointed; thou woundedst the head out of the house of the wicked, by discovering the foundation unto the neck. Selah. Habakkuk 3.14 Thou didst strike through with his staves the head of his villages: they came out as a whirlwind to scatter me: their rejoicing was as to devour the poor secretly. Habakkuk 3.15 Thou didst walk through the sea with thine horses, through the heap of great waters. Habakkuk 3.16 When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice: rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble: when he cometh up unto the people, he will invade them with his troops. Habakkuk 3.17 Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Habakkuk 3.18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. Habakkuk 3.19 The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.

Habakkuk : Chapter 3

The Poetic Prayer of Faith in Habakkuk 3

Chapter 3 of the book of Habakkuk concludes with a poetic prayer that testifies to deep and sincere faith. Faced with divine revelation, the prophet Habakkuk reacts with a mixture of respect and humility. This sublime text highlights God's power, while evoking the majestic works He has accomplished in history. Despite his fear of divine judgment, Habakkuk affirms his unshakeable trust in the Lord. This chapter concludes with a beautiful declaration of faith, illuminating the spirit even in the midst of adversity.

Five Bible Passages Evoking Worship and Trust

To enrich our meditation on the themes of worship and trust present in Habakkuk 3, let's explore five biblical passages that echo this inspiring prayer.

Psalm 77:16-19

"The waters saw you, O God, the waters saw you and trembled; even the deeps trembled. [...] Your way was through the sea, your path through the mighty waters, but your footprints were not seen." This poetic description of God's majesty resonates with the language used in Habakkuk 3:8-15.

Deuteronomy 33:2

"He said, 'The Lord came from Sinai and rose up against them from Seir; he shone from Mount Paran. He came with tens of thousands of saints, and from his right hand went out the fire of his law toward them.'" This theophany in Deuteronomy recalls the description of God's coming in Habakkuk 3:3-4.

Philippians 4:4

"Rejoice in the Lord always. Once again I will say, 'Rejoice!'" This verse illustrates the attitude of joy toward God, similar to that of Habakkuk in 3:18, even in difficult circumstances.

2 Corinthians 12:9

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." Paul's confidence in divine strength, even in weakness, resonates with the faith expressed by Habakkuk in 3:17-19.

Exodus 15:2

"The Lord is my strength and my song; he is my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him; he is the God of my father, and I will exalt him." This verse, taken from Moses' song, reflects the theme of praise and trust in God, found in Habakkuk's song in chapter 3.

Through these passages, we are invited to deepen our own faith and turn to the Lord with worship and trust, just as Habakkuk did in his poetic prayer.