Habakkuk 3:16 - John Trapp Complete Commentary

Bible Comments

When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice: rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble: when he cometh up unto the people, he will invade them with his troops.

Ver. 16. When I heard, my belly trembled, &c.] Heard what? That speech of thine, Habakkuk 3:3, whereunto the prophet now returneth, after a long digression for the people's support and comfort. Digressions in Divine discourses are not always and absolutely unlawful. God sometimes draweth aside the doctrine, to satisfy some soul which the preacher knows not; and, sparingly used, it quickeneth attention. "O Lord, I have heard thy speech" (touching Israel's captivity, Habakkuk 1:6,11, and after that, the Chaldeans' calamity, Hab 2:5-18), "and was afraid," Habakkuk 3:2. Neither was this a slight or sudden pang, and soon put over; but such as soaked to the very roots, so that my belly, or my heart in my belly, trembled; see Proverbs 20:27 .

My lips quivered] Through want of natural heat, which in this fright was gone inward to succour the heart; as soldiers upon the approach of an enemy run into the castle.

At the voice] At the dreadful denunciations of judgments.

Rottenness entered into my bones] Poetico more ex signis describit, saith Gualther. The prophet, in manner of a poet, describeth his great fear by the gracious effects and signs thereof in his body.

That I might rest in the day of trouble] This was the fruit of his holy fear of God's imminent judgments, and that contrition of spirit that followed thereupon; viz. that both he, and all that took part with him in those pious practices of sensibleness and self-abasement, should have peace with God, and be able to call their souls to rest in the evil day.

When he cometh up, &c.] i.e. The Chaldean spoiler.

He will invade them with his troops] Or, cut them in pieces. And that this was done see 2 Kings 25:4,11. and the Book of Lamentations throughout. Howbeit in judgment God remembereth mercy, as the prophet had prayed; for, besides the favour that the Jews found at Babylon by means of Daniel and others, Cyrus, having taken that city, gave commandment that no Jews, or any that spake the Syrian tongue, should be harmed, as Xenophon relateth; and after this he gave them free leave to return home.

Habakkuk 3:16

16 When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice: rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble: when he cometh up unto the people, he will invade them with his troops.