Habakkuk 3

A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet upon Shigionoth.

1This is a prayer of Habakkuk. He was a prophet, someone who told people what God said. It was sung to a tune called Shigionoth.

2O 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.

2LORD, I have heard what you have done. It fills me with wonder. Please do such things again in our own time. Let people see them now. When you are angry, please remember to be kind.

NoteThe KJV says Habakkuk "was afraid." He was not scared of danger. He was full of wonder and deep respect for God.

3God came from Teman, and the Holy One from mount Paran. Selah. His glory covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise.

3God came from the land of Teman. The Holy One came from Mount Paran. Selah. His shining glory covered the heavens. The whole earth was full of praise for him.

Note"Selah" is a word written into old songs. It most likely marks a pause, or a place where the music plays.

4And his brightness was as the light; he had horns coming out of his hand: and there was the hiding of his power.

4His brightness shone like sunlight. Rays of light flashed out from his hand. That is where his power was hidden.

5Before him went the pestilence, and burning coals went forth at his feet.

5Sickness went out ahead of him. Burning fever followed close behind his steps.

6He 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.

6He stood still and measured the earth. He looked, and the nations shook with fear. The old, old mountains broke into pieces. The hills that had stood forever sank down. God has always acted this way, and always will.

7I saw the tents of Cushan in affliction: and the curtains of the land of Midian did tremble.

7I saw the tents of the people of Cushan in trouble. The cloth walls of the tents of Midian were shaking.

8Was 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?

8LORD, were you angry at the rivers? Was your anger against the streams? Were you angry at the sea? You rode your horses and your chariots, the carts you use to rescue your people.

9Thy bow was made quite naked, according to the oaths of the tribes, even thy word. Selah. Thou didst cleave the earth with rivers.

9You took out your bow and made it ready. You did this because you had promised your people, and you keep your word. Selah. You split the ground open, and rivers ran through it.

10The 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.

10The mountains saw you and shook. Rushing floodwater swept past. The deep sea roared out loud. It lifted its waves up high.

11The sun and moon stood still in their habitation: at the light of thine arrows they went, and at the shining of thy glittering spear.

11The sun and the moon stood still in their places. Your arrows flashed as they flew. Your spear shone bright.

12Thou didst march through the land in indignation, thou didst thresh the heathen in anger.

12You marched across the land in anger. You crushed the nations the way grain is crushed on a floor.

13Thou 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.

13You went out to save your people. You came to rescue your anointed one, the leader you chose. You crushed the head of the wicked ruler's family. You stripped him bare from head to foot. Selah.

14Thou 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.

14You stabbed his head with his own spear. His fighters rushed out like a storm wind to scatter us. They were glad, like men about to eat up poor people in secret.

15Thou didst walk through the sea with thine horses, through the heap of great waters.

15You walked through the sea with your horses. You churned up the great, deep waters.

16When 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.

16I heard all this, and my insides shook. My lips trembled at the sound. My bones felt weak inside me. I shook where I stood. Still I will wait quietly for the day of trouble. It will come on the people who attack us.

17Although 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:

17The fig tree may grow no flowers. The vines may grow no grapes. The olive trees may give no fruit. The fields may grow no food at all. The sheep may be gone from the pen. No cattle may be left in the stalls.

NoteIn the KJV, "meat" means food of any kind, not just meat from animals.

18Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

18Even then, I will be glad because of the LORD. I will be full of joy in God, who saves me.

19The 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.

19The LORD God is my strength. He makes my feet steady, like the feet of a deer. He helps me walk safely on high places. This song is for the music leader, played with stringed instruments.