Habakuk 3:17-19

3:17 When ¹  the fig tree does not bud,

and there are no grapes on the vines;

when the olive trees do not produce, ² 

and the fields yield no crops; ³ 

when the sheep disappear ⁴  from the pen,

and there are no cattle in the stalls,

3:18 I will rejoice because of ⁵  the Lord;

I will be happy because of the God who delivers me!

3:19 The sovereign Lord is my source of strength. ⁶ 

He gives me the agility of a deer; ⁷ 

he enables me to negotiate the rugged terrain. ⁸ 

(This prayer is for the song leader. It is to be accompanied by stringed instruments.) ⁹ 

[3:17]  ¹ tn Or “though.”

[3:17]  ² tn Heb “the produce of the olive disappoints.”

[3:17]  ³ tn Heb “food.”

[3:17]  ⁴ tn Or “are cut off.”

[3:18]  ⁵ tn Or “in.”

[3:19]  ⁶ tn Or perhaps, “is my wall,” that is, “my protector.”

[3:19]  ⁷ tn Heb “he makes my feet like those of deer.”

[3:19]  ⁸ tn Heb “he makes me walk on my high places.”

[3:19]  sn Difficult times are coming, but Habakkuk is confident the Lord will sustain him. Habakkuk will be able to survive, just as the deer negotiates the difficult rugged terrain of the high places without injury.

[3:19]  ⁹ tn Heb “For the leader, on my stringed instruments.”