The Lord gives me strength

Habakkuk's Prayer

1 This is my prayer: 

2 I know your reputation, Lord, and I am amazed at what you have done.

Please turn from your anger and be merciful; do for us what you did for our ancestors.

3 You are the same Holy God who came from Teman and Paran to help us.

The brightness of your glory covered the heavens, and your praises were heard everywhere on earth.

4 Your glory shone like the sun, and light flashed from your hands, hiding your mighty power.

5 Dreadful diseases and plagues marched in front and followed behind.

6 When you stopped, the earth shook; when you stared, nations trembled; when you walked

along your ancient paths, eternal mountains and hills crumbled and collapsed.

7 The tents of desert tribes in Cushan and Midian were ripped apart.

8 Our Lord, were you angry with the monsters of the deep?

You attacked in your chariot and wiped them out.

9 Your arrows were ready and obeyed your commands. You split the earth apart with rivers and streams; 10 mountains trembled at the sight of you; rain poured from the clouds; ocean waves roared and rose.

11 The sun and moon stood still, while your arrows and spears flashed like lightning.

12 In your furious anger, you trampled on nations 13 to rescue your people and save your chosen one.

You crushed a nation's ruler and stripped his evil kingdom of its power.

14 His troops had come like a storm, hoping to scatter us and glad to gobble us up.

To them we were refugees in hiding — but you smashed their heads with their own weapons.

15 Then your chariots churned the waters of the sea.

Habakkuk's Response to God's Message

16 When I heard this message, I felt weak from fear, and my lips quivered.

My bones seemed to melt, and I stumbled around.

But I will patiently wait. Someday those vicious enemies will be struck by disaster.

Trust in a Time of Trouble

17 Fig trees may no longer bloom, or vineyards produce grapes; olive trees may be fruitless,

and harvest time a failure; sheep pens may be empty, and cattle stalls vacant — 18 but I will still celebrate because the Lord God is my Savior.

19 The Lord gives me strength. He makes my feet as sure as those of a deer, and he helps me stand on the mountains.