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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Habakkuk 3:1-2

This chapter is entitled a prayer of Habakkuk. It is a meditation with himself, an intercession for the church. Prophets were praying men; this prophet was so (He is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, Gen. 20:7); and sometimes they prayed for even those whom they prophesied against. Those that were intimately acquainted with the mind of God concerning future events knew better than others how to order their prayers, and what to pray for, and, in the foresight of troublous times, could lay... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Habakkuk 3:2

O Lord, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid ,.... Or, "thy hearing" F16 שמעך "tuam auditionem", V. L. Burkius; "tuum auditum", Pagninus, Montanus; "rumorem", Tarnovius. ; which the Lord had caused to be heard from and of himself; the report that had been made to him, and other prophets before him, particularly Isaiah, who says, "who hath believed our report?" Isaiah 53:1 where the same phrase is used as here: though it seems here not so much to regard the evangelical part of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Habakkuk 3:2

In the midst of the years - שנים בקרב bekereb shanim , "As the years approach." The nearer the time, the clearer and fuller is the prediction; and the signs of the times show that the complete fulfillment is at hand. But as the judgments will be heavy, (and they are not greater than we deserve), yet, Lord, in the midst of wrath - infliction of punishment - remember mercy, and spare the souls that return unto thee with humiliation and prayer. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Habakkuk 3:2

Verse 2 The Prophet says here, in the name of the whole people, that he was terrified by the voice of God, for so I understand the word, though in many places it means report, as some also explain it in this place. But as the preaching of the Gospel is called in Isaiah 53:1, שמעה, shemoe, report, it seems to me more suitable to the present passage to render it the voice of God; for the general sentiment, that the faithful were terrified at the report of God, would be frigid. It ought rather to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Habakkuk 3:1-2

God devoutly addressed. "A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet upon Shigionoth. O Lord, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O Lord, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy." This chapter is considered to be one of the most magnificent compositions of the inspired volume. It was intended undoubtedly to impart consolation in view of the tremendous calamities which were approaching from the Babylonian invasion. "It exhibits,"... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Habakkuk 3:2

§ 2. The proemium, in which the prophet expresses his fear at the coming judgment, and prays God in his wrath to remember mercy. Thy speech; or, the report of thee; the declaration made by God in the preceding chapters concerning the punishment of the Jews and the destruction of the Chaldeans. The LXX ; regarding the ambiguity of the Hebrew, gives a double rendering, εἰσακήκοα τὴν ἀκοήν σου , and κατενόησα τὰ ἕργα σου , "I heard thy report," and "I considered thy... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Habakkuk 3:2

The prayer of an alarmed prophet. I. THE PROPHET 'S ALARM . 1. Its cause. The report of Jehovah; i.e. the communication received from Jehovah concerning the punishment of Judah and the destruction of Chaldea. Habakkuk not the first man that had been afraid at the hearing of God's voice ( Genesis 3:10 ; Exodus 3:6 ), at the thought of his presence ( Job 23:15 ), at the manifestation of his power ( Psalms 65:8 ), at the contemplation of his judgments ( Psalms 119:120 ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Habakkuk 3:2

Prayer for revival. The revival of God's work stands intimately connected with prayer. The Holy Spirit is the Author of all true quickening of the Divine life in the souls of men, and his renewing and sanctifying influences are secured in response to earnest supplication ( Ezekiel 36:37 ; Malachi 3:10 ; Acts 1:14 ; Acts 2:1 ). "It is visionary to expect an unusual success in the human administration of religion unless there were unusual omens. Now, an emphatic spirit of prayer... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Habakkuk 3:2

O Lord, I have heard - i. e., with the inward ear of the heart, “Thy speech,” (rather as English margin, Thy report, i. e., the report of Thee) i. e., what may he heard and known of God, or, what he had himself heard . The word contains in one both what God had lately declared to the prophet, the judgments of God upon the wicked of the people, and upon those who, with their own injustice, done upon them the righteous judgments of God, and that the work of the Lord would be performed in His time... read more

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