Habakkuk’s Vision of the Divine Warrior

1This is a prayer of Habakkuk the prophet:

2Lord, I have heard the report of what you did;

I am awed, Lord, by what you accomplished.

In our time repeat those deeds;

in our time reveal them again.

But when you cause turmoil, remember to show us mercy!

3God comes from Teman,

the sovereign one from Mount Paran. Selah.

His splendor covers the skies,

his glory fills the earth.

4He is as bright as lightning;

a two-pronged lightning bolt flashes from his hand.

This is the outward display of his power.

5Plague goes before him;

pestilence marches right behind him.

6He takes his battle position and shakes the earth;

with a mere look he frightens the nations.

The ancient mountains disintegrate;

the primeval hills are flattened.

He travels on the ancient roads.

7I see the tents of Cushan overwhelmed by trouble;

the tent curtains of the land of Midian are shaking.

8Is the Lord mad at the rivers?

Are you angry with the rivers?

Are you enraged at the sea?

Is this why you climb into your horse-drawn chariots,

your victorious chariots?

9Your bow is ready for action;

you commission your arrows. Selah.

You cause flash floods on the earth’s surface.

10When the mountains see you, they shake.

The torrential downpour sweeps through.

The great deep shouts out;

it lifts its hands high.

11The sun and moon stand still in their courses;

the flash of your arrows drives them away,

the bright light of your lightning-quick spear.

12You furiously stomp on the earth,

you angrily trample down the nations.

13You march out to deliver your people,

to deliver your special servant.

You strike the leader of the wicked nation,

laying him open from the lower body to the neck. Selah.

14You pierce the heads of his warriors with a spear.

They storm forward to scatter us;

they shout with joy as if they were plundering the poor with no opposition.

15But you trample on the sea with your horses,

on the surging, raging waters.

Habakkuk Declares His Confidence

16I listened and my stomach churned;

the sound made my lips quiver.

My frame went limp, as if my bones were decaying,

and I shook as I tried to walk.

I long for the day of distress

to come upon the people who attack us.

17When the fig tree does not bud,

and there are no grapes on the vines;

when the olive trees do not produce,

and the fields yield no crops;

when the sheep disappear from the pen,

and there are no cattle in the stalls,

18I will rejoice because of the Lord;

I will be happy because of the God who delivers me!

19The sovereign Lord is my source of strength.

He gives me the agility of a deer;

he enables me to negotiate the rugged terrain.

(This prayer is for the song leader. It is to be accompanied by stringed instruments.)