I’ve recently been (re)struck by the profundity of Habakkuk’s oracles — how God not only entertains the prophet’s lament of the wicked trampling the righteous, but He provides the prophet with keen insight into His sovereignty over the nations and the unfolding events of history. “Look at the nations and watch—and be utterly amazed” The Lord says in Chapter I, “For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.” The climax of this short book seems to come in Chapter II, in which the Lord states the ends of such nations, and offers insight into where human history is headed.

“Woe to him who builds a city with bloodshed and establishes a town by iniquity! Is it not indeed from the LORD of Hosts that the labor of the people only feeds the fire, and the nations weary themselves in vain? For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.”

— Habakkuk 2:12-14

All the text concludes with the prophet’s offering of praise to the Lord, rejoicing despite his present circumstances. What an appropriate response! For such is the substance of faith, being steadfast in times of great despair.

This glorious hope calls for epic song, one which I couldn’t help but write. In doing so, I’ve done my best to maintain the framework of Habakkuk’s particular revelation, but with a retrospective from this side of the cross. I wore my postmil eschatology on my sleeve, as it seemed best to have the song conclude on a high water mark. Pardon the pun.

The Song of Habakkuk

Written in an 8.6.8.6 D meter, The Song of Habakkuk can be sung to the tune of Kingsfold (I Sing a Song of Bethlehem) or Llangloggan (O God of Earth and Altar). A sample of the Kingsfold audio has been included below, courtesy of Seedbed’s Psalm singing resource.

Though the orchard may not blossom / Nor crop grow in the field;

Be the fruit failed in the vineyard / Their harvest shed no yield.

If flock were severed from the fold / No herd found in its place;

I will recall Christ’s deeds of old / Meditate on His grace.

For man lives not on bread alone / The Lord God is his strength.

Even in wrath He shows mercy / It will not burn at length.

And so I re-joice in the LORD / The just shall be steadfast.

Sing of His past abundance poured / For lo, He holds me fast.

The wick-ed surround the righteous / Per-verse judgements proceed.

The nations rage against their King / Puffed up by their own deeds.

But the cup of the Lord’s right hand / Is turned against the proud,

Their weapons will not prosper and / their pride He will bring down.

Again I re-joice in the LORD / For the just live by faith.

I will sing of His good promise / Abide in all He saith.

For His ways are grandly devised / That scant could dare believe:

That all the earth will be baptized / As water o’er the seas.

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