Habakkuk's Prayer
Habakkuk 3
In a prayer set to song, Habakkuk recalls the Lord's mighty works with awe and asks that mercy be remembered even in wrath. He describes the Lord coming in glory from Theman, with earth, mountains, rivers, and sea shaken before him to bring salvation to his people and his anointed, and closes by resolving to rejoice in the Lord even should the land yield no harvest.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
ThomsonTHE prayer of Ambakum the prophet; with an Ode.
BrentonA Prayer of the Prophet Ambacum, with a Song.
GreekΠΡΟΣΕΥΧ ἈΜΒΑΚΟΥΜ ΤΟΥ ΠΡΟΦΗΤΟΥ, ΜΕΤΑ Ὠ̣ΔΗΣ.
KJVA prayer of Habakkuk the prophet upon Shigionoth.
JPSA prayer of Habakkuk the prophet. Upon Shigionoth.
2
ThomsonO Lord, I have heard the report of Thee and am terrified; I have considered Thy works and am struck with amazement. In the midst of two living beings Thou wilt be known; when the years draw nigh Thou wilt be acknowledged; when the time is come Thou wilt be pointed out: when my soul is troubled, in wrath remember mercy.
BrentonO Lord, I have heard thy report, and was afraid: I considered thy works, and was amazed: thou shalt be known between the two living creatures, thou shalt be acknowledged when the years draw nigh; thou shalt be manifested when the time is come; when my soul is troubled, thou wilt in wrath remember mercy.
GreekΚύριε εἰσακήκοα τὴν ἀκοήν σου, καὶ ἐφοβήθην· κατενόησα τὰ ἔργα σου, καὶ ἐξέστην· ἐν μέσῳ δύο ζώων γνωσθήσῃ, ἐν τῷ ἐγγίζειν τὰ ἔτη ἐπιγνωσθήσῃ· ἐν τῷ παρεῖναι τὸν καιρὸν ἀναδειχθήσῃ· ἐν τῷ ταραχθῆναι τὴν ψυχήν μου, ἐν ὀργῇ ἐλέους μνησθήσῃ.
KJVO LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy.
JPSO LORD, I have heard the report of Thee, and am afraid; O LORD, revive Thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make it known; In wrath remember compassion.
3
ThomsonGod will come from Thaiman, even the Holy One from the thick shady mountains of Pharan. His glory obscured the heavens; and the earth was full of His praise.
BrentonGod shall come from Thæman, and the Holy One from the dark shady mount Pharan. Pause.
GreekὉ Θεὸς ἐκ Θαιμὰν ἥξει, καὶ ὁ ἅγιος ἐξ ὄρους Φαρὰν κατασκίου δασέος· διάψαλμα· ἐκάλυψεν οὐρανοὺς ἡ ἀρετὴ αὐτοῦ, καὶ αἰνέσεως αὐτοῦ πλήρης ἡ γῆ.
KJVGod came from Teman, and the Holy One from mount Paran. Selah. His glory covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise.
JPSGod cometh from Teman, And the Holy One from mount Paran. Selah His glory covereth the heavens, And the earth is full of His praise.
4
ThomsonHis splendour will be like light—beaming rays in His hands, which impressed a lasting love of His Majesty.
BrentonHis excellence covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise. And his brightness shall be as light; there were horns in his hands, and he caused a mighty love of his strength.
GreekΚαὶ φέγγος αὐτοῦ ὡς φῶς ἔσται· κέρατα ἐν χερσὶν αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἔθετο ἀγάπησιν κραταιὰν ἰσχύος αὐτοῦ.
KJVAnd his brightness was as the light; he had horns coming out of his hand: and there was the hiding of his power.
JPSAnd a brightness appeareth as the light; rays hath He at His side; and there is the hiding of His power.
5
ThomsonBefore him the word [Logos] will march, and advance into the plain.
BrentonBefore his face shall go a report, and it shall go forth into the plains,
GreekΠρὸ προσώπου αὐτοῦ πορεύσεται λόγος, καὶ ἐξελεύσεται εἰς πεδία· κατὰ πόδας αὐτοῦ
KJVBefore him went the pestilence, and burning coals went forth at his feet.
JPSBefore him goeth the pestilence, and fiery bolts go forth at His feet.
6
ThomsonHe stood, and the earth was shaken; He looked, and nations melted away; the mountains were violently convulsed, the everlasting hills melted with His everlasting marches. j?] The dwellings of the Ethiopians shall be terrified! And the tents of tlie land of Madiam!
Brentonthe earth stood at his feet and trembled: he beheld, and the nations melted away: the mountains were violently burst through, the everlasting hills melted at his everlasting going forth.
Greekἔστη, καὶ ἐσαλεύθη ἡ γῆ· ἐπέβλεψε, καὶ διετάκη ἔθνη· διεθρύβη τὰ ὄρη βίᾳ, ἐτάκησαν βουνοὶ αἰώνιοι πορείας αἰωνίας αὐτοῦ.
KJVHe stood, and measured the earth: he beheld, and drove asunder the nations; and the everlasting mountains were scattered, the perpetual hills did bow: his ways are everlasting.
JPS—
7
Thomson—
BrentonBecause of troubles I looked upon the tents of the Ethiopians: the tabernacles also of the land of Madiam shall be dismayed.
GreekἈντὶ κόπων εἶδον σκηνώματα Αἰθιόπων, πτοηθήσονται καὶ αἱ σκηναὶ γῆς Μαδιάμ.
KJV—
JPS—
8
ThomsonWast thou, 0 Lord, angry with the rivers? Or was Thy wrath against the rivers? Or Thine indignation against a sea, that Thou shouldst mount Thy horses? Thy riding is indeed salvation.
BrentonWast thou angry, O Lord, with the rivers? or was thy wrath against the rivers, or thine anger against the sea? for thou wilt mount on thine horses, and thy chariots are salvation.
GreekΜὴ ἐν ποταμοῖς ὠργίσθης Κύριε; ἢ ἐν ποταμοῖς ὁ θυμός σου; ἢ ἐν θαλάσσῃ τὸ ὅρμημά σου; ὅτι ἐπιβήσῃ ἐπὶ τοὺς ἵππους σου, καὶ ἡ ἱππασία σου σωτηρία.
KJVWas the LORD displeased against the rivers? was thine anger against the rivers? was thy wrath against the sea, that thou didst ride upon thine horses and thy chariots of salvation?
JPSIs it, O LORD, that against the rivers, is it that Thine anger is kindled against the rivers, or Thy wrath against the sea? That Thou dost ride upon Thy horses, upon Thy chariots of victory?
9
ThomsonThou hast bent Thy bow effectually against sceptres. The Lord saith: The land of rivers shall be broken; jlO] peoples shall see and be in pangs. Thou art scattering the rolling waters. The deep roared. It swelled high.
BrentonSurely thou didst bend thy bow at sceptres, saith the Lord. Pause. The land of rivers shall be torn asunder.
GreekἘντείνων ἐνέτεινας τόξον σου ἐπὶ σκῆπτρα, λέγει Κύριος· διάψαλμα· ποταμῶν ῥαγήσεται γῆ.
KJV—
JPS—
10
Thomson—
BrentonThe nations shall see thee and be in pain, as thou dost divide the moving waters: the deep uttered her voice, and raised her form on high.
GreekὌψονταί σε, καὶ ὠδινήσουσι λαοὶ, σκορπίζων ὕδατα πορείας· ἔδωκεν ἡ ἄβυσσος φωνὴν αὐτῆς, ὕψος φαντασίας αὐτῆς.
KJVThe mountains saw thee, and they trembled: the overflowing of the water passed by: the deep uttered his voice, and lifted up his hands on high.
JPSThe mountains have seen Thee, and they tremble; the tempest of waters floweth over; the deep uttereth its voice, And lifteth up its hands on high.
11
ThomsonThe sun was lifted up, and the moon stood still in its orbit. Thy bolts will glance for light, for a glare of the lightening of Thine arms.
BrentonThe sun was exalted, and the moon stood still in her course: thy darts shall go forth at the light, at the brightness of the gleaming of thine arms.
GreekἘπῄρθη ὁ ἥλιος, καὶ ἡ σελήνη ἔστη ἐν τῇ τάξει αὐτῆς· εἰς φῶς βολίδες σου πορεύσονται, εἰς φέγγος ἀστραπῆς ὅπλων σου.
KJVThe sun and moon stood still in their habitation: at the light of thine arrows they went, and at the shining of thy glittering spear.
JPSThe sun and moon stand still in their habitation; at the light of Thine arrows as they go, At the shining of Thy glittering spear.
12
ThomsonWith a threat thou canst diminish a land, and with wrath crush nations.
BrentonThou wilt bring low the land with threatening, and in wrath thou wilt break down the nations.
GreekἘν ἀπειλῇ ὀλιγώσεις γῆν, καὶ ἐν θυμῷ κατάξεις ἔθνη,
KJV—
JPS—
13
ThomsonThou hast marched forth for the salvation of Thy people, to save Thine anointed one. Thou wilt pour death on the head of transgressors, Thou hast raised chains up to the neck.
BrentonThou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people, to save thine anointed: thou shalt bring death on the heads of transgressors; thou hast brought bands upon their neck. Pause.
Greekἐξῆλθες εἰς σωτηρίαν λαοῦ σου, τοῦ σῶσαι τὸν χριστόν σου· βαλεῖς εἰς κεφαλὰς ἀνόμων θάνατον, ἐξήγειρας δεσμοὺς ἕως τραχήλου· διάψαλμα.
KJVThou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people, even for salvation with thine anointed; thou woundedst the head out of the house of the wicked, by discovering the foundation unto the neck. Selah.
JPS—
14
ThomsonThou hast struck with consternation the heads of mighty ones; at this they will be appalled! They will slacken their reins and be like a poor man eating in secret,
BrentonThou didst cut asunder the heads of princes with amazement, they shall tremble in it; they shall burst their bridles, they shall be as a poor man devouring in secret.
GreekΔιέκοψας ἐν ἐκστάσει κεφαλὰς δυναστῶν, σεισθήσονται ἐν αὐτῇ· διανοίξουσι χαλινοὺς αὐτῶν, ὡς ἔσθων πτωχὸς λάθρα.
KJV—
JPS—
15
Thomsonwhilst Thou art pressing into the sea Thy horses, ruffling a mighty water.
BrentonAnd thou dost cause thine horses to enter the sea, disturbing much water.
GreekΚαὶ ἐπιβιβᾷς εἰς θάλασσαν τοὺς ἵππους σου, ταράσσοντας ὕδωρ πολύ.
KJVThou didst walk through the sea with thine horses, through the heap of great waters.
JPS—
16
ThomsonI watched myself; and at the sound of the prayer of my lips, my bowels trembled and a tremor seized my bones; and under me my whole frame quivered. I shall be at rest in the day of affliction, at the time of His coming to the people of my neighbourhood.
BrentonI watched, and my belly trembled at the sound of the prayer of my lips, and trembling entered into my bones, and my frame was troubled within me; I will rest in the day of affliction, from going up to the people of my sojourning.
GreekἘφυλαξάμην, καὶ ἐπτοήθη ἡ κοιλία μου ἀπὸ φωνῆς προσευχῆς χειλέων μου, καὶ εἰσῆλθε τρόμος εἰς τὰ ὀστᾶ μου, καὶ ὑποκάτωθέν μου ἐταράχθη ἡ ἕξις μου· ἀναπαύσομαι ἐν ἡμέρᾳ θλίψεως, τοῦ ἀναβῆναι εἰς λαὸν παροικίας μου.
KJVWhen I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice: rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble: when he cometh up unto the people, he will invade them with his troops.
JPSWhen I heard, mine inward parts trembled, My lips quivered at the voice; Rottenness entereth into my bones, And I tremble where I stand; that I should wait for the day of trouble, when he cometh up against the people that he invadeth.
17
ThomsonFor the fig tree will not flourish, nor will there be fruit on the vines; the product of the olive will fail, and the fields will supply no food. For want of food the flocks have failed, and there are no kine in the stalls;
BrentonFor though the fig-tree shall bear no fruit, and there shall be no produce on the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall produce no food: the sheep have failed from the pasture, and there are no oxen at the cribs;
GreekΔιότι συκῆ οὐ καρποφορήσει, καὶ οὐκ ἔσται γεννήματα ἐν ταῖς ἀμπέλοις· ψεύσεται ἔργον ἐλαίας, καὶ τὰ πεδία οὐ ποιήσει βρῶσιν· ἐξέλιπεν ἀπὸ βρώσεως πρόβατα, καὶ οὐχ ὑπάρχουσι βόες ἐπὶ φάτναις·
KJVAlthough 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:
JPSFor though 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 food; The flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls;
18
ThomsonAs for me, I will rejoice in the Lord; I shall have joy for God my Saviour.
Brentonyet I will exult in the Lord, I will joy in God my Saviour.
Greekἐγὼ δὲ ἐν τῷ Κυρίῳ ἀγαλλιάσομαι, χαρήσομαι ἐπὶ τῷ Θεῷ τῷ σωτῆρί μου.
KJVYet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
JPSYet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will exult in the God of my salvation.
19
ThomsonThe Lord God is my strength, and will guide my feet to the end. He maketh me walk in high places, that I may triumph with His song.
BrentonThe Lord God is my strength, and he will perfectly strengthen my feet; he mounts me upon high places, that I may conquer by his song.
GreekΚύριος ὁ Θεὸς δύναμίς μου, καὶ τάξει τοὺς πόδας μου εἰς συντέλειαν· ἐπὶ τὰ ὑψηλὰ ἐπιβιβᾷ με, τοῦ νικῆσαι ἐν τῇ ᾠδῇ αὐτοῦ.
KJVThe LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.
JPSGod, the Lord, is my strength, And He maketh my feet like hinds’feet, And He maketh me to walk upon my high places. For the Leader. With my string-music.