‘I heard and my belly trembled,
My lips quivered at the sound (‘voice'),
Rottenness entered into my bones,
And I trembled in my place,
I will rest in the day of trouble,
When he comes up against the people,
He will overcome (or ‘press on, invade') them.'
Habakkuk now hears, probably in vision, the approach of the Babylonian army, and describes the effect it had on him. Butterflies arose in his stomach, his lips quivered at the sound, he felt as though his bones were crumbling, and he trembled in the place where he found himself. It was a terrifying experience. But in the face of it he expresses confidence. In the day of trouble, when the invader comes up against his people and overcomes them, he will rest content. For he will know that YHWH's will is being done. The righteous one will live by faith.