Habakkuk 3

Chapter 3

Habakkuk’s Prayer

1 This prayer was sung by the prophet Habakkukt:
2 I have heard all about you, LORD.
I am filled with awe by your amazing works.
In this time of our deep need,
help us again as you did in years gone by.
And in your anger,
remember your mercy.3 I see God moving across the deserts from Edom,t
the Holy One coming from Mount Paran.t
His brilliant splendor fills the heavens,
and the earth is filled with his praise.4 His coming is as brilliant as the sunrise.
Rays of light flash from his hands,
where his awesome power is hidden.5 Pestilence marches before him;
plague follows close behind.6 When he stops, the earth shakes.
When he looks, the nations tremble.
He shatters the everlasting mountains
and levels the eternal hills.
He is the Eternal One!7 I see the people of Cushan in distress,
and the nation of Midian trembling in terror.8 Was it in anger, LORD, that you struck the rivers
and parted the sea?
Were you displeased with them?
No, you were sending your chariots of salvation!9 You brandished your bow
and your quiver of arrows.
You split open the earth with flowing rivers.10 The mountains watched and trembled.
Onward swept the raging waters.
The mighty deep cried out,
lifting its hands to the LORD.11 The sun and moon stood still in the sky
as your brilliant arrows flew
and your glittering spear flashed.12 You marched across the land in anger
and trampled the nations in your fury.13 You went out to rescue your chosen people,
to save your anointed ones.
You crushed the heads of the wicked
and stripped their bones from head to toe.14 With his own weapons,
you destroyed the chief of those
who rushed out like a whirlwind,
thinking Israel would be easy prey.15 You trampled the sea with your horses,
and the mighty waters piled high.16 I trembled inside when I heard this;
my lips quivered with fear.
My legs gave way beneath me,t
and I shook in terror.
I will wait quietly for the coming day
when disaster will strike the people who invade us.17 Even though the fig trees have no blossoms,
and there are no grapes on the vines;
even though the olive crop fails,
and the fields lie empty and barren;
even though the flocks die in the fields,
and the cattle barns are empty,18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD!
I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!

19 The Sovereign LORD is my strength!
He makes me as surefooted as a deer,t
able to tread upon the heights.
(For the choir director: This prayer is to be accompanied by stringed instruments.)

HABAKKUK 3

Habakkuk's Prayer

1 This is my prayer:t

2 I know your reputation, [Lord],
and I am amazed
at what you have done.
Please turn from your anger
and be merciful;
do for us what you did
for our ancestors.

3 You are the same Holy God
who came from Teman
and Parant to help us.
The brightness of your glory
covered the heavens,
and your praises were heard
everywhere on earth.

4 Your glory shone like the sun,
and light flashed from your hands,
hiding your mighty power.

5 Dreadful diseases and plagues
marched in front
and followed behind.

6 When you stopped,
the earth shook;
when you stared,
nations trembled;
when you walked
along your ancient paths,
eternal mountains and hills
crumbled and collapsed.

7 The tents of desert tribes
in Cushan and Midiant
were ripped apart.

8 Our [Lord], were you angry
with the monsters
of the deep?t
You attacked in your chariot
and wiped them out.

9 Your arrows were ready
and obeyed your commands.t
You split the earth apart
with rivers and streams;

10 mountains trembled
at the sight of you;
rain poured from the clouds;
ocean waves roared and rose.

11 The sun and moon stood still,
while your arrows and spears
flashed like lightning.

12 In your furious anger,
you trampled on nations

13 to rescue your people
and save your chosen one.t
You crushed a nation's ruler
and stripped his evil kingdom
of its power.t

14 His troops had come like a storm,
hoping to scatter us
and glad to gobble us up.
To them we were refugees
in hiding—
but you smashed their heads
with their own weapons.t

15 Then your chariots churned
the waters of the sea.

Habakkuk's Response //to God's Message

16 When I heard this message, t
I felt weak from fear,
and my lips quivered.
My bones seemed to melt,
and I stumbled around.
But I will patiently wait.
Someday those vicious enemies
will be struck by disaster.t

Trust in a Time //of Trouble

17 Fig trees may no longer bloom,
or vineyards produce grapes;
olive trees may be fruitless,
and harvest time a failure;
sheep pens may be empty,
and cattle stalls vacant—

18 but I will still celebrate
because the [Lord] God
is my Savior.

19  t The [Lord] gives me strength.
He makes my feet as sure
as those of a deer,
and he helps me stand
on the mountains.t
To the music director:
Use stringed instruments.