(17) Although.—Better, For. The conjunction connects this verse with what precedes, and explains Habakkuk’s affliction more fully. With the sword shall come famine, invasion as usual producing desolation. read more
(18) Yet—i.e., in spite of all the afflictions predicted in Habakkuk 3:17. We are reminded of St. Paul’s expression of confidence in Romans 8:37. read more
A Prayer for Middle Life Habakkuk 3:2 What we commonly call a revival of religion is the conversion of the young on a large scale. But when youth, with its energies and hopes, is delivered from this present evil world and translated into the kingdom of God's dear Son, this is not revival. It is the access of life to life. But when those who have-known life of nature and of the spirit find it sinking in the midst of the years, to have it restored by the Divine breath this is indeed revival. I. ... read more
Habakkuk 3:1-19The third chapter, an Ode or Rhapsody, is ascribed to Habakkuk by its title. This, however, does not prove its authenticity: the title is too like those assigned to the Psalms in the period of the Second Temple. On the contrary, the title itself, the occurrence of the musical sign Selah in the contents, and the colophon suggest for the chapter a liturgical origin after the Exile. That this is more probable than the alternative opinion, that, being a genuine work of Habakkuk, the... read more
CHAPTER 3 The Vision of the Coming of the Lord 1. The prophet’s prayer (Habakkuk 3:1-2 ) 2. The coming of the Lord for judgment and redemption (Habakkuk 3:3-15 ) 3. The effect upon the prophet (Habakkuk 3:16-19 ) Habakkuk 3:1-2 . Once more we hear the voice of the man of God in prayer. Shigionoth is the plural of Shiggaion, and is found in the superscription of Psalms 7:1-17 . Its meaning is “loud crying.” The connection with the seventh Psalm is interesting. In that Psalm God appeared... read more
3:18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy {y} in the God of my salvation.(y) He declares in what the joy of the faithful consists, though they see ever so great afflictions prepared. read more
HABAKKUK THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH Nothing is known of the personal history of Habakkuk, and little as to the time when he prophesied. He is placed by some successor to Zephaniah, for he makes no mention of Assyria and yet refers to the approach of the Babylonian invasion. See Habakkuk 1:6 ; Habakkuk 2:3 ; Habakkuk 3:2 ; Habakkuk 3:16-19 . The book seems to have been written by himself, as we judge from Habakkuk 1:2 , and Habakkuk 2:1-2 . His “burden” begins by lamenting the iniquity of... read more
If we read these verses as we ought to read them, implying the spiritual effect wrought upon the mind of the Prophet, and in like manner what may be supposed in the same way to influence every child of God; they describe to us the wonderful and blessed consequences wrought in the heart by the Holy Ghost, in the contemplation of Jesus and his great salvation. Convinced by God the Spirit of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment, there will be trembling under a sense, of iniquity, and like... read more
Fail. Literally, "lie," (Haydock) or frustrate our expectations. (Calmet) --- Spem mentita seges. (Hor.[Horace?] i. ep. 7.) --- Fold. Septuagint, "food." read more
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Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Habakkuk 3:16-19
(16-19) Habakkuk now reverts abruptly to the Divine sentence of Habakkuk 1:5 et seq., and describes with what emotion he meditates on the coming disasters, and on his own inability to prevent them. His anxiety is, however, swept aside by a joyful and overpowering confidence in God. These verses are a kind of appendix to the preceding poem. read more