A Prayer of Habakkuk

1This is a prayer of the prophet Habakkuk:3.1 Hebrew has an additional phrase, the meaning of which is unclear.

2O LORD, I have heard of what you have done,

and I am filled with awe.

Now do again in our times

the great deeds you used to do.

Be merciful, even when you are angry.

3God is coming again from Edom;

the holy God is coming from the hills of Paran.

His splendour covers the heavens;

and the earth is full of his praise.

4He comes with the brightness of lightning;

light flashes from his hand,

there where his power is hidden.

5He sends disease before him

and commands death to follow him.

6When he stops, the earth shakes;

at his glance the nations tremble.

The eternal mountains are shattered;

the everlasting hills sink down,

the hills where he walked in ancient times.

7I saw the people of Cushan afraid

and the people of Midian tremble.

8Was it the rivers that made you angry, LORD?

Was it the sea that made you furious?

You rode upon the clouds;

the storm cloud was your chariot,

as you brought victory to your people.

9You got ready to use your bow,

ready to shoot your arrows.3.9 Probable text ready to shoot your arrows; Hebrew unclear.

Your lightning split open the earth.

10When the mountains saw you, they trembled;

water poured down from the skies.

The waters under the earth roared,

and their waves rose high.

11At the flash of your speeding arrows

and the gleam of your shining spear,

the sun and the moon stood still.

12You marched across the earth in anger;

in fury you trampled the nations.

13You went out to save your people,

to save your chosen king.

You struck down the leader of the wicked

and completely destroyed his followers.3.13 Probable text completely… followers; Hebrew unclear.

14Your arrows pierced the commander of his army

when it came like a storm to scatter us,

gloating like those who secretly oppress the poor.3.14 Verse 14 in Hebrew is unclear.

15You trampled the sea with your horses,

and the mighty waters foamed.

16I hear all this, and I tremble;

my lips quiver with fear.

My body goes limp,

and my feet stumble3.16 Probable text my feet stumble; Hebrew I am excited, because. beneath me.

I will quietly wait for the time to come

when God will punish those who attack us.

17Even though the fig trees have no fruit

and no grapes grow on the vines,

even though the olive crop fails

and the fields produce no corn,

even though the sheep all die

and the cattle stalls are empty,

18I will still be joyful and glad,

because the LORD God is my saviour.

193.19: 2 Sam 22.34; Ps 18.33The Sovereign LORD gives me strength.

He makes me sure-footed as a deer,

and keeps me safe on the mountains.