Examining The Scripture CXLIII: Habakkuk Ponders God's Greatness

Habakkuk 3: The structure of this chapter is that of a “prayer psalm” which are leaders or lead into lament or petition Psalms. If we are looking for the closest parallel to a Book is is Psalms. It is closest akin to Psalms 7 (Baker 68). The closest it comes in terms of topic to one that we reviewed the Examining the Scripture series is Psalms 19: Examining The Scripture LXXX: Psalm 19 - Revelation of Creation which also sort of praises God for His design of His creation. The prophet has turned to praising the Lord rather than criticizing and questioning Him as if He was on trial (v. 2).

The prayer to God in verses 1 to 15 are Habakkuk pondering the greatness of God just as David did in the first few verse of Psalm 19. There are also some striking similarities in terms of the topic of Habakkuk 3 to the Song of Moses in Exodus 15, although the structure of Habakkuk is not quite the same as Exodus 15 nor is the entire storyline.

(v. 3-15) God is Praised for His Presence of Majesty

(v. 3a) God’s Arrival: God comes down to His people as a theophany at Sinai to establish His covenant and to liberate His people.
(v. 3b-7) God’s Appearance: At Sinai God had come like a storm sweeping down from the mountain. “His glory covered the heavens and His praise filled the earth”.

(v. 8-15) God’s Actions

(1) We see his actions in nature (v. 8-11)
(1a) Wrath against the rivers, streams, rage against the sea
(1b) The mountains saw God and writhed
(1c) Sun and moon stood still in the heavens

(v. 12-15) God's Actions and Among the Nations

(2) Threshed the nations
(2a) Crushed the leader of the land and stripped him
(2b) To save His anointed
(2c) Trampled the sea with you horses churning the great waters


(v. 16-19) Habakkuk’s Peace in Ministry

(3) His heart pounded, lips quivered, legs trembled and decay crept into his bones (his nervous system went bonkers or internally he was a mess as often happens to people under severe anxiety or stress)
(3a) Even in his weakened state he found a peace and a sense of purpose in his prophetic ministry because a sovereign God was his strength. A God that made his feet like a deer so he could go to the heights.

Baker, David W.. "Habakkuk’s Psalm." Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah.. Downers Grove: Inter-Varisty Press, 1988. 68-77. Print.