Habakkuk 3:19

Authorized King James Version

The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
יְהוִ֤ה
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#2
אֲדֹנָי֙
God
the lord (used as a proper name of god only)
#3
חֵילִ֔י
is my strength
probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength
#4
וַיָּ֤שֶׂם
and he will make
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
#5
רַגְלַי֙
my feet
a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
#6
כָּֽאַיָּל֔וֹת
like hinds
a doe or female deer
#7
וְעַ֥ל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#8
בָּמוֹתַ֖י
upon mine high places
an elevation
#9
יַדְרִכֵ֑נִי
feet and he will make me to walk
to tread; by implication, to walk; also to string a bow (by treading on it in bending)
#10
לַמְנַצֵּ֖חַ
To the chief singer
properly, to glitter from afar, i.e., to be eminent (as a superintendent, especially of the temple services and its music); to be permanent
#11
בִּנְגִינוֹתָֽי׃
on my stringed instruments
properly, instrumental music; by implication, a stringed instrument; by extension, a poem set to music; specifically, an epigram

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection