Habakkuk Declares His Confidence

3:16 I listened and my stomach churned;49

the sound made my lips quiver.

My frame went limp, as if my bones were decaying,50

and I shook as I tried to walk.51

I long52 for the day of distress

to come upon53 the people who attack us.

3:17 When54 the fig tree does not bud,

and there are no grapes on the vines;

when the olive trees do not produce,55

and the fields yield no crops;56

when the sheep disappear57 from the pen,

and there are no cattle in the stalls,

3:18 I will rejoice because of58 the Lord;

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

3:19 The sovereign Lord is my source of strength.59

He gives me the agility of a deer;60

he enables me to negotiate the rugged terrain.61

(This prayer is for the song leader. It is to be accompanied by stringed instruments.)62