Habakkuk’s Prayer

1A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet, according to Shigionoth.†

2O YHWH, I have heard the report of You;

and I was afraid, O YHWH, of Your work.

In the midst of the years may You revive it;

in the midst of the years make it known;

in wrath, may You remember to have compassion.

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.

4And His brightness was like the light;

rays were unto Him from His hand,

and there was the hiding of his power.

5Before His face went pestilence,

and plague came forth at His feet.

6He stood and measured the earth;

He looked and startled the nations;

the ancient mountains were scattered,

and the hills of old bowed;

the ways of old are unto Him!

7Under affliction I have seen the tents of Cushan;

the curtains of the land of Midian were trembling.

8Against the rivers did it burn, O YHWH—

Your anger against the rivers?

Or was Your wrath against the sea,

when You rode on Your horses,

Your chariots of salvation?

9Your bow was uncovered with nakedness

speech was sworn for arrows.

Selah

With rivers You split the earth;

10the mountains saw You and trembled.

A storm of waters passed by;

the deep gave forth its voice,

and on high its hand lifted.

11The sun and moon stood still

in its high place;

at the light of Your arrows they went forth,

at the brightness of the flashing of Your spear.

12In wrath You marched through the land,

in anger You trampled the nations.

13You went forth for the salvation of Your people,

for salvation with Your anointed;

You struck the head of the house of the wicked,

uncovering him from base to neck.

Selah

14You pierced the head of his warriors with his staves;

they stormed out to scatter me,

in their rejoicing as one who devours

the afflicted in his hiding place.

15You tread on the sea with Your horses,

a surge of great waters.

16I heard it, and my belly trembled,

my lips quivered at the sound;

decay came into my bones,

and from under me I trembled,

that I might rest in the day of distress,

to come upon the people who invade us.

Habakkuk Rejoices

17Though the fig tree may not bud,

and there be no fruit on the vines;

though the work of the olive may fail,

and the fields not produce food,

though the flock is cut off from the fold,

and there herd is in the stalls,

18yet I will exult in YHWH;

I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.

19YHWH the Lord is my strength,

and He will make my feet like a deer’s,

and on my high places He makes me tread.

To the one directing: With stringed instruments.