O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy.
Habakkuk's prayer petitions: 'O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy' (Yahweh shamati shim'akha yareti Yahweh pa'alekha beqerev shanim chayyehu beqerev shanim todhi'a berogez rachem tizkkor). Having heard God's plan to use Babylon, the prophet is 'afraid' (yareti)—properly terrified by coming judgment. Yet he prays: 'revive thy work' (chayyehu pa'alekha)—bring life to Your deeds, preserve Your purposes. 'In the midst of the years make known' (beqerev shanim todhi'a)—reveal Yourself during the crisis. Most crucially: 'in wrath remember mercy' (berogez rachem tizkkor)—while executing judgment, don't forget compassion. This is the prayer of one who accepts God's justice yet pleads for mercy. It demonstrates mature faith: not demanding God change His plans but asking Him to preserve His people through coming judgment. Habakkuk submits to divine will while interceding for divine compassion.
Historical Context
This prayer anticipates the exile and pleads for preservation through it. God answered: though Jerusalem was destroyed and Judah exiled, a remnant survived and returned. In the midst of wrath (Babylonian conquest), God remembered mercy (preserving a people, maintaining covenant hope, ultimately sending Messiah from this preserved remnant). Daniel prayed similarly during exile (Daniel 9), acknowledging deserved judgment while pleading for mercy. These prayers demonstrate that accepting God's justice and pleading for His mercy aren't contradictory but complementary. Believers can simultaneously affirm 'we deserve judgment' and petition 'please show mercy.' God's character includes both justice and mercy, and prayer appeals to both.
Questions for Reflection
How can believers simultaneously accept that judgment is deserved yet plead for divine mercy?
What does it mean to ask God to 'revive' His work during times of judgment or difficulty?
How does this prayer model appropriate intercession—submitting to God's will while petitioning for compassion?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Habakkuk's prayer petitions: 'O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy' (Yahweh shamati shim'akha yareti Yahweh pa'alekha beqerev shanim chayyehu beqerev shanim todhi'a berogez rachem tizkkor). Having heard God's plan to use Babylon, the prophet is 'afraid' (yareti)—properly terrified by coming judgment. Yet he prays: 'revive thy work' (chayyehu pa'alekha)—bring life to Your deeds, preserve Your purposes. 'In the midst of the years make known' (beqerev shanim todhi'a)—reveal Yourself during the crisis. Most crucially: 'in wrath remember mercy' (berogez rachem tizkkor)—while executing judgment, don't forget compassion. This is the prayer of one who accepts God's justice yet pleads for mercy. It demonstrates mature faith: not demanding God change His plans but asking Him to preserve His people through coming judgment. Habakkuk submits to divine will while interceding for divine compassion.