Ron Writes
Shigionoth is an unusual Hebrew word only found in Habakkuk 3:1. Few versions even try to translate it. The amplified version translates it, “wild and enthusiastic music.” The author appears to be telling us how to sing this prayer of Habakkuk. It appears to be a musical term that means to sing with strong emotion, with impassioned exuberance, wild, passionate singing with rapid changes of rhythm. It’s a strong word of praise.
Habakkuk is an interesting OT book. He begins with the age-old question, “why do evil and violence continue in the world” (1:1-4)? God answers, “you would not believe it if I told you” (1:5). God then speaks of judgment and Habakkuk responds that it doesn’t seem fair (1:5-17). Then God explains, He may seem silent and uninvolved, but He has a plan for dealing with evil (Ch. 2). God then makes a statement that is foundational in the NT, “but the righteous will live by his faith.” The faithful one must trust in the mercy and compassion of God. The chapter ends with “The Lord is in His holy temple. Let all the earth be silent before Him” (2:20). This doesn’t mean be quiet, worship is about to begin. It means, let judgement begin! God is about to judge the wicked and the righteous one must trust in God. In chapter 3, Habakkuk begins this prayer of praise.
Peter seems to summarize this third chapter of Hab. when he says, “the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from a trial, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment” (2 Pet. 2:9). Though the future seems uncertain, the prophet will trust in God. Habakkuk then ends with this beautiful prayer of faith and praise:
“Though the fig tree should not blossom
And there be no fruit on the vines,
Though the yield of the olive should fail
And the fields produce no food,
Though the flock should be cut off from the fold
And there be no cattle in the stalls,
YET, I will exult in the Lord,
I will rejoice in the God of my salvation”
Some of you are going through confusing times in your lives and you don’t know how it will all work out. Start praising with exuberance! God is faithful! Things looked bleak for Habakkuk. However, he had made up his mind. No matter what may come, he will praise God with shigionoth!
