The prophet's prayer

1A prayer of Habak'kuk the prophet, according to Shigion'oth.

2O LORD, I have heard the report of thee,

and thy work, O LORD, do I fear.

In the midst of the years renew it;

in the midst of the years make it known;

in wrath remember mercy.

3God came from Teman,

and the Holy One from Mount Paran.

His glory covered the heavens,

and the earth was full of his praise. Selah

4His brightness was like the light,

rays flashed from his hand;

and there he veiled his power.

5Before him went pestilence,

and plague followed close behind.

6He stood and measured the earth;

he looked and shook the nations;

then the eternal mountains were scattered,

the everlasting hills sank low.

His ways were as of old.

7I saw the tents of Cushan in affliction;

the curtains of the land of Mid'ian did tremble.

8Was thy wrath against the rivers, O LORD?

Was thy anger against the rivers,

or thy indignation against the sea,

when thou didst ride upon thy horses,

upon thy chariot of victory?

9Thou didst strip the sheath from thy bow,

and put the arrows to the string.3.9 Cn: Heb obscure Selah

Thou didst cleave the earth with rivers.

10The mountains saw thee, and writhed;

the raging waters swept on;

the deep gave forth its voice,

it lifted its hands on high.

11The sun and moon stood still in their habitation3.11 Heb uncertain

at the light of thine arrows as they sped,

at the flash of thy glittering spear.

12Thou didst bestride the earth in fury,

thou didst trample the nations in anger.

13Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people,

for the salvation of thy anointed.

Thou didst crush the head of the wicked,3.13 Cn: Heb head from the house of the wicked

laying him bare from thigh to neck.3.13 Heb obscure Selah

14Thou didst pierce with thy3.14 Heb his shafts the head of his warriors,3.14 Vg Compare Gk Syr: Heb uncertain

who came like a whirlwind to scatter me,

rejoicing as if to devour the poor in secret.

15Thou didst trample the sea with thy horses,

the surging of mighty waters.

16I hear, and my body trembles,

my lips quiver at the sound;

rottenness enters into my bones,

my steps totter3.16 Cn Compare Gk: Heb I tremble because beneath me.

I will quietly wait for the day of trouble

to come upon people who invade us.

17Though the fig tree do not blossom,

nor fruit be on the vines,

the produce of the olive fail

and the fields yield no food,

the flock be cut off from the fold

and there be no herd in the stalls,

18yet I will rejoice in the LORD,

I will joy in the God of my salvation.

19GOD, the Lord, is my strength;

he makes my feet like hinds' feet,

he makes me tread upon my high places.

To the choirmaster: with stringed3.19 Heb my stringed instruments.