3 God came from Teman,
the Holy One from Mount Paran. [selah]Selah.[/selah]
His glory covered the heavens,
and his praise filled the earth. 4 His splendor is like the sunrise.
Rays shine from his hand, where his power is hidden. 5 Plague went before him,
and pestilence followed his feet. 6 He stood, and shook the earth.
He looked, and made the nations tremble.
The ancient mountains were crumbled.
The age-old hills collapsed.
His ways are eternal. 7 I saw the tents of Cushan in affliction.
The dwellings of the land of Midian trembled. 8 Was Yahweh displeased with the rivers?
Was your anger against the rivers,
or your wrath against the sea,
that you rode on your horses,
on your chariots of salvation? 9 You uncovered your bow.
You called for your sworn arrows. [selah]Selah.[/selah]
You split the earth with rivers. 10 The mountains saw you, and were afraid.
The storm of waters passed by.
The deep roared and lifted up its hands on high. 11 The sun and moon stood still in the sky,
at the light of your arrows as they went,
at the shining of your glittering spear. 12 You marched through the land in wrath.
You threshed the nations in anger. 13 You went forth for the salvation of your people,
for the salvation of your anointed.
You crushed the head of the land of wickedness.
You stripped them head to foot. [selah]Selah.[/selah] 14 You pierced the heads of his warriors with their own spears.
They came as a whirlwind to scatter me,
gloating as if to devour the wretched in secret. 15 You trampled the sea with your horses,
churning mighty waters.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Habakkuk 3:3-15
Commentary on Habakkuk 3:3-15
(Read Habakkuk 3:3-15)
God's people, when in distress, and ready to despair, seek help by considering the days of old, and the years of ancient times, and by pleading them with God in prayer. The resemblance between the Babylonish and Egyptian captivities, naturally presents itself to the mind, as well as the possibility of a like deliverance through the power of Jehovah. God appeared in his glory. All the powers of nature are shaken, and the course of nature changed, but all is for the salvation of God's own people. Even what seems least likely, shall be made to work for their salvation. Hereby is given a type and figure of the redemption of the world by Jesus Christ. It is for salvation with thine anointed. Joshua who led the armies of Israel, was a figure of Him whose name he bare, even Jesus, our Joshua. In all the salvations wrought for them, God looked upon Christ the Anointed, and brought deliverances to pass by him. All the wonders done for Israel of old, were nothing to that which was done when the Son of God suffered on the cross for the sins of his people. How glorious his resurrection and ascension! And how much more glorious will be his second coming, to put an end to all that opposes him, and all that causes suffering to his people!