Habakkuk 3:18. Yet— Or, But for my part. Instead of, The God of my salvation, the Vulgate reads, In Jesus my God: that Jesus, says Calmet, who is the joy, the consolation, the hope, the life of believers; without whom the world can offer us nothing but false joys; who was the object of the desires, and the perpetual consolation, of the prophets and patriarchs. See John 8:56. read more
Habakkuk 3:19. And he will make me to walk, &c.— And cause me to tread again on my own high places. By high places, the prophet seems to mean the fruitful hills of Judaea; at least Moses uses the word in this sense, Deuteronomy 32:13. Some are of opinion, that Habakkuk speaks only of the strongholds of the land; but if we reflect on the naked and defenceless state that Judaea was in when the Jews returned from captivity, we may rather be induced to think that the prophet meant no more than... read more
17. Destroy the "vines" and "fig trees" of the carnal heart, and his mirth ceases. But those who when full enjoyed God in all, when emptied can enjoy all in God. They can sit down upon the heap of ruined creature comforts, and rejoice in Him as the "God of their salvation." Running in the way of His commandments, we outrun our troubles. Thus Habakkuk, beginning his prayer with trembling, ends it with a song of triumph (Job 13:15; Psalms 4:7; Psalms 43:3; Psalms 43:5). labour of the olive—that... read more
18. yet I will rejoice—The prophet speaks in the name of his people. read more
19. hinds' feet . . . walk upon . . . high places—Habakkuk has here before his mind Psalms 18:33; Psalms 18:34; Deuteronomy 32:13. "Hinds' (gazelles') feet" imply the swiftness with which God enables him (the prophet and his people) to escape from his enemies, and return to his native land. The "high places" are called "mine," to imply that Israel shall be restored to his own land, a land of hills which are places of safety and of eminence (compare Genesis 19:17; Matthew 24:16). Probably not... read more
D. The commitment to faith 3:16-19a read more
Even though everything would get worse in Judah, Habakkuk determined to praise Yahweh and to rejoice in the God who would save him (cf. Psalms 18:46; Psalms 25:5). The prophet pictured the worst of circumstances by using a variety of rural metaphors drawn from plant and animal life. Taken together they have the effect of saying that no matter what bad thing may happen, Habakkuk, and hopefully all Israel, would trust God. Even though the prophet felt weak physically, he was strong in faith... read more
E. The concluding musical notation 3:19bThe final footnote to this book gives direction to the choir director who used this chapter as part of Israel’s formal worship. Habakkuk specified the use of stringed instruments to accompany the singing undoubtedly because they set the proper mood.The book opened with a dialogue between Habakkuk and Yahweh in which the prophet vented his fears and the Lord responded in love (ch. 1). Then it proceeded to a dirge in which the Lord explained the wickedness... read more
Jehovah comes To JudgmentThis is one of the most brilliant poems in the OT. It was written by a man of imagination as well as of faith. It is not quite certain whether Habakkuk 3:8-15 are intended to refer to a past or future manifestation of Jehovah: in any case, there is the hope, or rather prayer, that history may repeat itself (Habakkuk 3:2). The poem rests upon older theophanies: cp. Judges 5; Deuteronomy 33. Long ago at the exodus Jehovah had shown His power to interpose in history... read more
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Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Habakkuk 3:17
Habakkuk 3:17. Although the fig-tree shall not bloom, &c.— For then the fig-tree shall not flourish, Nor shall fruit be on the vines: The produce of the olives shall fail, And the fields shall supply no food: The flocks shall be cut off from the fold, And no herds shall be left in the stalls. It was during this desolation, which is so poetically and beautifully described, that the land rested from tillage, and enjoyed its sabbatical years; which before, it seems, it had not been suffered to... read more