I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved.
I will stand upon my watch - i:e., watchpost. The prophets often compare themselves, awaiting the revelations of Yahweh with earnest patience, to watchmen on an eminence watching with intent eye all that comes within their view (Isaiah 21:8; Isaiah 21:11; Jeremiah 6:17; Ezekiel 3:17; Ezekiel 33:2-3: cf. Psalms 5:3; Psalms 85:8). The watch-post is the withdrawal of the whole soul from earthly, and fixing it on heavily things. The accumulation of synonyms,
I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see - implies persevering fixity of attention.
And will watch to see what he will say unto me - in answer to my complaints (Habakkuk 1:13). "Unto me" - literally, 'in me,' God speaking, not to the prophet's outward ear, but inwardly. When we have prayed to God, we must observe what answers God gives by His Word, His Spirit, and His providences.
And what I shall answer when I am reproved - what answer I am to make to the reproof which I anticipate from God on account of the liberty of my expostulation with Him. Maurer translates, 'What I am to answer in respect to my complaint against Yahweh' (Habakkuk 1:12-17).