Habakkuk 3:1 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Bible Comments

A prayer of Habakkuk— שׁגינות Shigionoth signifies wanderings. This word of the prophet seems to relate both to the deviations of the Jewish people from God's law, and also to their wandering, or being removed from their land on that account. Aquila, Symmachus, and Theodotion, render the word αγνοηματων ignorances. So the Vulgate ignorantiis. See Parkhurst on the word שׁגאּה. Habakkuk having been informed by God of his design to send the Jews into captivity for their sins, and of his determination that they should serve the Babylonians seventy years, took upon him, as became his office, to intercede with God on their behalf. He begins his prayer for them with laying before the Lord, Habakkuk 3:2 the distress into which he was thrown by the judgments denounced against them; beseeching him, that he would shorten the time determined for their captivity, and restore them to their country before it was expired. Mr. Green renders the verse,

"O Jehovah, I have heard thy report:" (that is to say, what thou hast revealed concerning the captivity.)
"I am in pain, O Jehovah, for thy work:" (that is to say, for all that he had done among the Jews, and among other nations by means of the Jews, for the honour of his great Name.)

"In the midst of the years revive it;" (that is to say, restore the Jews to their own land, before the years determined for their captivity are expired. See Psalms 85:6-7.)

"In the midst of the years shew compassion."
"In wrath remember mercy." See his new version of this chapter.

Habakkuk 3:1-2

1 A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet upon Shigionoth.

2 O LORD, I have heard thy speech,a 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.