The mountains saw thee, and they trembled: the overflowing of the water passed by: the deep uttered his voice, and lifted up his hands on high.
Read it in contextHabakkuk’s Prayer
Start reading at Habakkuk 3:1 (Habakkuk 3:1 to Habakkuk 3:16).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The closing prayer remembers the LORD's power and reaches a confession of rejoicing even when ordinary provisions fail.
3:1A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet upon Shigionoth.
3:2O 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.
3:3God came from Teman, and the Holy One from mount Paran. Selah. His glory covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise.
3:4And his brightness was as the light; he had horns coming out of his hand: and there was the hiding of his power.
3:5Before him went the pestilence, and burning coals went forth at his feet.
3:6He stood, and measured the earth: he beheld, and drove asunder the nations; and the everlasting mountains were scattered, the perpetual hills did bow: his ways are everlasting.
3:7I saw the tents of Cushan in affliction: and the curtains of the land of Midian did tremble.
3:8Was the LORD displeased against the rivers? was thine anger against the rivers? was thy wrath against the sea, that thou didst ride upon thine horses and thy chariots of salvation?
3:9Thy bow was made quite naked, according to the oaths of the tribes, even thy word. Selah. Thou didst cleave the earth with rivers.
3:10The mountains saw thee, and they trembled: the overflowing of the water passed by: the deep uttered his voice, and lifted up his hands on high.
3:11The sun and moon stood still in their habitation: at the light of thine arrows they went, and at the shining of thy glittering spear.
3:12Thou didst march through the land in indignation, thou didst thresh the heathen in anger.
3:13Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people, even for salvation with thine anointed; thou woundedst the head out of the house of the wicked, by discovering the foundation unto the neck. Selah.
3:14Thou didst strike through with his staves the head of his villages: they came out as a whirlwind to scatter me: their rejoicing was as to devour the poor secretly.
3:15Thou didst walk through the sea with thine horses, through the heap of great waters.
3:16When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice: rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble: when he cometh up unto the people, he will invade them with his troops.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? Habakkuk is the named prophet and the speaker of the book's prayer. Biblical references: Habakkuk 1:1; Habakkuk 3:1. stated in the text
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Habakkuk 3:1–3:19): Habakkuk addresses the LORD in prayer and praise; the musical direction prepares the prayer for worship. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? Judah's community facing violence and the Babylonian threat, with the vision to be written so it can be read. Much of the book is a dialogue between the prophet and the LORD. Biblical references: Habakkuk 1:2; Habakkuk 1:6; Habakkuk 2:2. book background
What
What is the topic of this reading unit? Habakkuk’s Prayer. Read Habakkuk 3:1 through Habakkuk 3:16 as a connected unit. interpretation
How does it contribute to the book? This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The closing prayer remembers the LORD's power and reaches a confession of rejoicing even when ordinary provisions fail. interpretation
When
When are the events or message set? The rise of the Chaldeans forms the announced historical setting, but the book does not provide a precise royal date for the dialogue. book background
Where
What is the book’s geographic setting? The questions concern wrongdoing among the people and the threat of an invading power; the prayer ranges through remembered scenes of the LORD's acts. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in Habakkuk’s Prayer (Habakkuk 3:1 to Habakkuk 3:16).
Start reading at Habakkuk 3:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? The New Testament cites the statement that the just shall live by faith. Its use should retain the original contrast between arrogant wrongdoing and faithful endurance. See Habakkuk 2:4, Romans 1:17, Hebrews 10:38. interpretation
How should this book guide our response? Bring hard questions honestly before God and distinguish complaint from the answer received. The closing confession models trust that does not depend on present abundance. interpretation
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Habakkuk 3
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Habakkuk records the prophet's questions, the LORD's responses, woes, and a concluding prayer. Keeping the speakers distinct is essential: a question or complaint is not identical to the divine answer. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The closing prayer remembers the LORD's power and reaches a confession of rejoicing even when ordinary provisions fail.
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The closing prayer remembers the LORD's power and reaches a confession of rejoicing even when ordinary provisions fail.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Habakkuk
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Habakkuk records the prophet's questions, the LORD's responses, woes, and a concluding prayer. Keeping the speakers distinct is essential: a question or complaint is not identical to the divine answer.