Habakkuk 1:2-4

Complaint against Yahweh for His Tolerance of Wrong-doing. In bitter remonstrance with Yahweh, the prophet asks how long he must cry Violence! and look on wretchedness and trouble, robbery, strife and contention, the failure of justice and the general paralysis of law, while Yahweh remains silent, indifferent, or powerless.

Habakkuk 1:2. violence: probably the burden of the cry.

Habakkuk 1:3. iniquity. perverseness: rather wretchedness or misery..·. trouble.

Habakkuk 1:4. law: moral direction or instruction from Yahweh. slacked: lit. benumbed, paralysed. compass about: i.e. circumvent in his plans, and impede in his rights.