This is a prayer of Habakkuk the prophet
Habakkuk, a prophet in the southern kingdom of Judah, likely ministered during the late 7th century BC, a time of political turmoil and moral decline. His role as a prophet was to convey God's messages to the people, often involving calls for repentance and warnings of impending judgment. This prayer is a response to the revelations and dialogues with God found in the earlier chapters of the book. It reflects a deep, personal communication with God, showcasing the prophet's faith and trust despite the circumstances. The prayer form is significant, as it indicates a shift from dialogue to worship, emphasizing the importance of prayer in the life of a believer.

according to Shigionoth
The term "Shigionoth" is somewhat obscure, appearing only here and in the title of Psalm 7. It is believed to refer to a musical or liturgical term, possibly indicating a type of passionate or emotional song. This suggests that Habakkuk's prayer was intended to be sung or chanted, highlighting the role of music in worship and the expression of faith. The use of such a term connects Habakkuk's prayer to the broader tradition of Hebrew poetry and worship, where music and song are integral to spiritual expression. This also points to the communal aspect of worship, as such prayers would be shared among the people, reinforcing collective faith and hope.

1. Habakkuk
A prophet in the Old Testament, Habakkuk is known for his dialogue with God concerning the problem of evil and suffering. His name means "embrace" or "wrestle," reflecting his struggle with understanding God's ways.

2. Shigionoth
This term is a musical or liturgical notation, possibly indicating a passionate or emotional style of singing or recitation. It suggests that the prayer is meant to be expressed with deep feeling.

3. Prayer
The chapter begins with a prayer, indicating a shift from the dialogue and complaints of the earlier chapters to a focus on worship and trust in God.The Power of Prayer
Habakkuk's transition to prayer demonstrates the importance of turning to God in times of confusion and distress. Prayer is a powerful tool for aligning our hearts with God's will.

Emotional Expression in Worship
The term "Shigionoth" suggests that worship can and should involve the full range of human emotions. God invites us to bring our whole selves, including our emotions, into our worship.

Trust in God's Sovereignty
Despite not understanding God's plans, Habakkuk chooses to pray and worship, showing trust in God's sovereignty. This teaches us to trust God even when His ways are beyond our understanding.

The Role of the Prophet
Habakkuk's role as a prophet includes not only delivering messages from God but also interceding for the people through prayer. This highlights the dual role of speaking and listening in spiritual leadership.III.

(1-15) A hymn describing a future self-manifestation of Jehovah on Israel's behalf, accompanied by the signs and wonders of the early history. It is impossible to give the English reader an idea of the rhythmical structure of this beautiful composition. We will only observe that it is independent of the arrangement in verses, and that the poem (except in Habakkuk 3:7-8; Habakkuk 3:13, fin.) consists of lines each containing exactly three words.

(1) Upon Shigionoth.--This term points, not to the contents of the composition, but either to its metrical structure or its musical setting. See on the Inscription of Psalms 7. Inasmuch as this ode is throughout an account of the deliverance anticipated by prayerful faith, it is called not a Psalm, mizmor, but a Prayer, t'philtah.

Verses 1-19. - Part II. PSALM OR PRAYER OF HABAKKUK. Verse 1. - § 1. The title. A prayer. There is only one formal prayer in the ode, that in ver. 2; but the term is used of any devotional composition; and, indeed, the whole poem may be regarded as the development of the precatory sentences in the proemium (seethe inscriptions in Psalm 17; Psalm 86; Psalm 90; Psalm 102; Psalm 142; and the last verse of Psalm 72, the subscription of Book II.). (For other hymns in the prophetical books, see Isaiah 24, and 35; Ezekiel 19; Jonah 2; Micah 6:6, etc.; and as parallel to this ode, comp. Deuteronomy 33:2, etc.; Judges 5:4, etc.; Psalm 68:7, etc.; Psalms 77:13-20; 114; Isaiah 63:11-14.) Of Habakkuk the prophet. The name and title of the author are prefixed to show that this is no mere private effusion, but an outpouring of prophecy under Divine inspiration. Upon Shigionoth (comp. title of Psalm 7.); Septuagint, μετὰ ᾠδῆς, "with song;" Vulgate, pro ignorantiis. For this latter rendering Jerome had etymological ground, but did not sufficiently consider the use of shiggayon in Psalm 7, where it indicates the style of poetry, nor, as Keil shows, the fact that all the headings of Psalms introduced, as the present, with al, refer either to the melody, or accompaniment, or style in which they were to be sung. The Revised Version gives, "set to Shigionoth;" and the expression is best explained to mean, in an impassioned or triumphal strain, with rapid change of emotion, a dithy rambic song - a description which admirably suits this ode.

Parallel Commentaries ...


[This is] a prayer
תְּפִלָּ֖ה (tə·p̄il·lāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8605: Intercession, supplication, a hymn

of Habakkuk
לַחֲבַקּ֣וּק (la·ḥă·ḇaq·qūq)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2265: Habakkuk -- a Hebrew prophet

the prophet,
הַנָּבִ֑יא (han·nā·ḇî)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5030: A spokesman, speaker, prophet

according to
עַ֖ל (‘al)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

Shigionoth:
שִׁגְיֹנֽוֹת׃ (šiḡ·yō·nō·wṯ)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 7692: Perhaps a wild passionate song with rapid changes of rhythm


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OT Prophets: Habakkuk 3:1 A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet set (Hab Hb)