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 3:2KJV
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Habakkuk 3:2 (KJV)

What does Habakkuk 3:2 mean?

Habakkuk 3:2 is a prayer in which the prophet Habakkuk tells God he has heard God’s message and is filled with awe or fear. Habakkuk asks God to keep His work alive and visible during difficult times, and pleads that even when God is angry, He will also show mercy.

Habakkuk is speaking directly to the LORD, responding to what he has learned about God’s coming judgment. The verse shows Habakkuk’s deep respect and concern—he recognizes God’s power and justice but also asks for compassion. This verse is part of a larger prayer-song where Habakkuk reflects on God’s past actions and seeks hope for the future.

The Hebrew behind Habakkuk 3:2

  • LORD (יְהוָה, Yahweh): This is the personal name of God, used twice in the verse, showing Habakkuk’s direct and personal address to God.
  • revive (חָיָה, chayah): This word means “to give life” or “to keep alive.” Habakkuk is asking God to keep His work active and not let it fade away, even in hard times.
  • wrath (רֹגֶז, rogez): This word refers to intense anger or agitation. Habakkuk acknowledges that God’s anger is real but asks that it not be the only thing shown.
  • mercy (רָחַם, racham): This word means compassion or tender love. Habakkuk’s request is that God’s mercy would be remembered and shown even when judgment is deserved.

Why Habakkuk 3:2 matters

  • Habakkuk 3:2 helps clear up the idea that God’s anger and mercy are opposites; the verse shows they can exist together, with mercy being asked for even in times of judgment.
  • The verse highlights the prophet’s humility and trust—Habakkuk does not demand answers but asks God to act in a way that shows both justice and compassion.
  • This prayer connects to the larger message of Habakkuk, where the prophet struggles with understanding God’s ways but ultimately chooses to trust in God’s character.

Where else these words appear

“wrath” Hebrew H7267 · used in 7 verses

  • Job 3:17 There the wicked cease from troubling; and there the weary be at rest.
  • Job 14:1 Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.
  • Job 39:24 He swalloweth the ground with fierceness and rage: neither believeth he that it is the sound of the trumpet.

“speech” Hebrew H8088 · used in 17 verses

  • Genesis 29:13 And it came to pass, when Laban heard the tidings of Jacob his sister's son, that he ran to meet him, and embraced him, and kissed him, and brought him to his house. And he told Laban all these things.
  • 2 Chronicles 9:1 And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to prove Solomon with hard questions at Jerusalem, with a very great company, and camels that bare spices, and gold in abundance, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart.
  • Isaiah 23:5 As at the report concerning Egypt, so shall they be sorely pained at the report of Tyre.

“work” Hebrew H6467 · used in 38 verses

  • Deuteronomy 32:4 He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.
  • Psalms 28:4 Give them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of their endeavours: give them after the work of their hands; render to them their desert.
  • Proverbs 21:8 The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.

“mercy” Hebrew H7355 · used in 43 verses

  • Exodus 33:19 And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.
  • Isaiah 30:18 And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.
  • Jeremiah 33:26 Then will I cast away the seed of Jacob, and David my servant, so that I will not take any of his seed to be rulers over the seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: for I will cause their captivity to return, and have mercy on them.