Old Testament · Prophecy

Habakkuk 3

The Prophet's Prayer

Habakkuk trembles at God's power — then makes one of the boldest declarations in Scripture: though the fig tree does not bud, yet I will rejoice in the Lord.

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1A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet upon 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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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?

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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:

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

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.

Understand This

Habakkuk 3, explained

What Habakkuk 3 is saying

Habakkuk concludes with a magnificent psalm recounting God's theophanic march from Teman and Paran, shaking the earth and routing nations. Despite the devastation, the prophet resolves to rejoice in the LORD even if every source of material provision fails. The chapter ends with one of Scripture's most profound confessions of trust.

The background behind it

The psalm employs archaic Hebrew poetic forms and Sinai theophany traditions (cf. Deuteronomy 33, Judges 5, Psalm 68). The musical notation 'Shigionoth' and the closing 'to the choirmaster with stringed instruments' confirm liturgical use, suggesting the prayer was incorporated into temple worship.

Themes running underneath

The movement from theodicy dialogue to doxology represents Habakkuk's theological resolution. The 'yet I will rejoice' declaration (3:17-18) transcends circumstantial faith by grounding joy in God's character rather than in favorable outcomes. The Exodus/conquest imagery reaffirms that the God who acted in history will act again.

Why it still matters

Habakkuk 3:17-19 stands as perhaps the Old Testament's clearest articulation of unconditional faith. The prophet models how honest lament, patient waiting, and radical trust can coexist in authentic spirituality.

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Scripture text: King James Version — public domain.