Chapter 3

3:1  A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet upon Shigionoth.

Prayer

Prayer in the O.T. is in contrast with prayer in the N.T. in two respects:

(1) In the former the basis of prayer is a covenant of God, or an appeal to his revealed character as merciful, gracious, etc. In the latter the basis is relationship: "When ye pray, say, Our Father" Matthew 6:9 .

(2) A comparison, e.g. of the prayers of Moses and Paul, will show that one was praying for an earthly people whose dangers and blessings were earthly; the other for a heavenly people whose dangers and blessings were spiritual.

3:7  I saw the tents of Cushan in affliction: and the curtains of the land of Midian did tremble.

Cushan

Or, Ethiopia.

3:11  The sun and moon stood still in their habitation: at the light of thine arrows they went, and at the shining of thy glittering spear.

at the light

Or, thine arrows walked in the light, etc.

3:17  Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:

Although

i.e. despite the afflictions of Israel in dispersion, the prophet will rejoice because of the Lord, as yet to return to His temple.