_A prayer of Habakkuk_, &c. The word _prayer_ is here taken in a general sense for an act or exercise of devotion, including adoration, praise, and thanksgiving. The word _shigionoth_ signifies _wanderings_, and may denote _“cantio erratica, vel mixta,”_ a _desultory, various_, or _mixed hymn;_ or,... [ Continue Reading ]
_O Lord, I have heard thy speech and was afraid_ I have heard what thou hast revealed to me concerning thy judgments to be executed, first upon thy own people, and afterward upon their enemies the Chaldeans, and the terribleness of them hath filled me with a reverential awe and dread. _O Lord, reviv... [ Continue Reading ]
_God came from Teman_, &c. Bishop Lowth observes, that “this chapter affords us a remarkable instance of that sublimity which is peculiar to the _ode_, and which is principally owing to a bold and yet easy digression, or transition. The prophet, foreseeing the judgments of God, the calamities which... [ Continue Reading ]
_And his brightness was as the light_ Green renders this verse thus: _His brightness was as the brightness of the sun; he had rays of light beaming from his hand; and there was the hiding-place of his power._ The Hebrew word אור, here rendered _light_, is translated the _sun, Job 31:26_; and that re... [ Continue Reading ]
_He stood and measured the earth_ “It was customary for a conqueror, as soon as he became possessed of a country, to measure it out, and divide it among his people. Thus David, (Psalms 60:6,) _I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth._ Hence Jehovah, who takes possession of the land... [ Continue Reading ]
_I saw the tents of Cushan in affliction_ Since Moses's wife, who was a Midianite, is called (Num 12:1) a _Cushite_, Cushan may be here another name for Midian, and then the two members of this period will be equivalent; but if they be different, then the Cushites must have been an Arabian nation wh... [ Continue Reading ]
_Was the Lord_, &c. After the description of Jehovah, given in the preceding verses, the first of his wonderful works, recounted by the prophet, is the passage through the Red sea, where he represents the Lord as appearing at the head of the Israelites in his chariot of war, with his bow drawn in hi... [ Continue Reading ]
_The sun and moon stood still in their habitation_ At the command of Joshua. _At the light of thine arrows they went_ Or rather, _by their light_ (namely, the light of the sun and moon) _thine arrows flew abroad, and by their shining, thy glittering spear._ It was to give the Israelites time for the... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people_ For their deliverance and protection; _even for salvation with thine anointed_ With those appointed and qualified to be leaders and rulers of thy people; such as Moses, Joshua, Samuel, and David. _Thou woundedst the head out of the house of the wi... [ Continue Reading ]
_When I heard, my belly trembled_ The prophet, having recounted, for the present encouragement of the faithful, the wonderful works which God had formerly wrought for his people, here returns again to his first subject, namely, the revelation which he had received from God, concerning the calamities... [ Continue Reading ]
_Although the fig-tree shall not blossom_ Though all outward means of support should fail, yet will I still have a firm confidence in the power, goodness, and faithfulness of God, that he will preserve me, and supply me with all things necessary; and therefore, amidst the most threatening appearance... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Lord God is my strength_ He that is the God of our salvation in another world, will be our strength in this world, to carry us on in our journey thither, and help us over the difficulties and oppositions we meet with in our way, even then when provisions are cut off, to make it appear that man... [ Continue Reading ]