Habakkuk 3:12-19

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Habakkuk 3:3-15

It has been the usual practice of God's people, when they have been in distress and ready to fall into despair, to help themselves by recollecting their experiences, and reviving them, considering the days of old, and the years of ancient times (Ps. 77:5), and pleading with God in prayer, as he is pleased sometimes to plead them with himself. Isa. 63:11; Then he remembered the days of old. This is that which the prophet does here, and he looks as far back as the first forming of them into a... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Habakkuk 3:16-19

Within the compass of these few lines we have the prophet in the highest degree both of trembling and triumphing, such are the varieties both of the state and of the spirit of God's people in this world. In heaven there shall be no more trembling, but everlasting triumphs. I. The prophet had foreseen the prevalence of the church's enemies and the long continuance of the church's troubles; and the sight made him tremble, Hab. 3:16. Here he goes on with what he had said Hab. 3:2; ?I have heard... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Habakkuk 3:12

Thou didst march through the land with indignation ,.... Not the land of Canaan, fighting against the inhabitants of it, dispossessing them to make room for the Israelites, whatever allusion may be to it; but the antichristian land, the whole Romish jurisdiction, and all the states of it, through which the Lord will march in wrath and fury, when he pours out the vials of it upon them; or this is desired, and prayed for; for it may be rendered, "do thou march through the land" F18 תצעד ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Habakkuk 3:13

Thou wentest forth for the salvation of that people, even for salvation with thine anointed ,.... Or, "thy Messiah"; which Kimchi and Ben Melech interpret of Messiah the son of David; and read and give the sense of the words thus, "as thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people, by bringing them into the land of Canaan, so do thou go forth for salvation with thy Messiah.' God of old went forth in his power and providence for the salvation of his people, whom he chose above all... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Habakkuk 3:14

Thou didst strike through with his staves the head of his villages ,.... Of his warriors, mighty men, princes; so the Vulgate Latin, Septuagint, Syriac, and Arabic versions; or of his armies, as Jarchi and Kimchi; which some interpret of Pharaoh and his host, who were destroyed by the steps and methods which they themselves took, going into the sea of themselves, and so were struck through with their own staves: others of the princes and armies of the Canaanites, who destroyed one another... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Habakkuk 3:15

Thou didst walk through the sea with thine horses ,.... And as thou didst of old, so do again; as Jehovah walked through the Red sea in a pillar of cloud and fire, which were his horses and chariots, and destroyed the Egyptians; so may he walk through another sea by his instruments, and destroy the enemies of his church and people; See Gill on Habakkuk 3:8 . The "sea" here signifies the world, compared to it for the multitude of its people; the noise, fluctuation, and uncertainty of all... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Habakkuk 3:16

When I heard, my belly trembled ,.... His bowels, his heart within him, at the report made of what would come to pass in future time; and not so much at hearing of the judgments of God that should come upon the enemies of his Church, antichrist and his followers; though even these are awful and tremendous to good men; see Psalm 119:120 but upon hearing what troubles and distresses would come upon the churches of Christ, previous to these, afterwards called a day of trouble in this verse,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Habakkuk 3:17

Although the fig tree shall not blossom ,.... Or rather, as the Septuagint version, "shall not bring forth fruit"; since the fig tree does not bear blossoms and flowers, but puts forth green figs at once. This was a tree common in the land of Canaan, and its fruit much in use, and for food; hence we read of cakes of figs among the provisions Abigail brought to David, 1 Samuel 25:18 so that, when there was a scarcity of these, it was a bad time: neither shall fruit be in the vines ;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Habakkuk 3:18

Yet I will rejoice in the Lord ,.... In the Word of the Lord, as the Targum; the essential Word of the Lord, the Lord Jesus Christ; in his person, the greatness and glory of it; in his offices, as Prophet, Priest, and King, the only Mediator and Saviour; in his relations, as head and husband, father, brother, friend; in his fulness, grace, and righteousness; in his spiritual presence, and comfortable communion with him, which may be expected in a remarkable manner after the above day of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Habakkuk 3:19

The Lord God is my strength ,.... The author and giver of natural and spiritual strength, as he is to all his people; he is the strength of their hearts when ready to faint and sink, and of their graces, faith, hope, love, patience, &c.; and continues and increases them, and draws them forth into lively acts and exercise; and of their lives, natural and spiritual, which he supports and maintains, secures and defends; from him they have their strength to perform the duties of religion;... read more

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