Habakkuk:1

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* The burden which Habakkuk the prophet saw . (note :)The Argument - The Prophet complains to God , considering the great felicity of the wicked , and the miserable oppression of the godly , who endure all types of affliction and cruelty , and yet can see no end . Therefore he had this revelation shown to him by God , that the Chaldeans would come and take them away as captives , so that they could look for no end of their troubles as yet , because of their stubbornness and rebellion against the Lord . And lest the godly should despair , seeing this horrible confusion , he comforts them by this , that God will punish the Chaldeans their enemies , when their pride and cruelty will be at height . And for this reason he exhorts the faithful to patience by his own example , and shows them a form of prayer , with which they should comfort themselves .(:note ) * O LORD , how long shall I cry , and thou wilt not hear ! [even ] cry out to thee (note :)The Prophet complains to God , and bewails that among the Jews is left no fairness and brotherly love : but instead of these reigns cruelty , theft , contention , and strife .(:note ) [of ] violence , and thou wilt not save ! * Why doest thou shewe mee iniquitie , and cause me to beholde sorowe ? for spoyling , and violence are before me : and there are that rayse vp strife and contention . * Therefore the law is feeble , and judgment doth never go forth : for the wicked doth (note :)To suppress him , if any should show himself zealous of God 's cause .(:note ) surround the righteous ; therefore judgment goeth forth Because the judges who should remedy this excess , are as evil as the rest . perverted * Behold ye among the nations , and regard , and wonder marvellously : for [I ] will work a work in your days , [which ] (note :)As in times past you would not believe God 's word , so you will not now believe the strange plagues which are at hand .(:note ) ye will not believe , though it be told [you ]. * For lo , I raise vp the Caldeans , that bitter &amp ; furious nation , which shall goe vpon the breadth of the lande to possesse the dwelling places , that are not theirs . * They [are ] terrible and dreadful : (note :)They themselves will be your judges in this cause , and none will have authority over them to control them .(:note ) their judgment and their dignity shall proceed from themselves . * Their horses also are swifter then the leopards , and are more fierce then the wolues in the euening : and their horsemen are many : &amp ; their horsemen shall come from farre : they shall flie as the eagle hasting to meate . * They shall come all for violence : their faces shall sup up [as ] the (note :)For the Jews most feared this wind , because it destroyed their fruits .(:note ) east wind , and they shall gather the captives They will be so many in number . as the sand . * And they shall scoff at the kings , and the princes shall be a scorn to them : they shall deride every strong hold ; for they shall heap (note :)They will cast up mounds against it .(:note ) dust , and take it . * Then shall [his ] mind change , and he shall (note :)The Prophet comforts the faithful that God will also destroy the Babylonians , because they will abuse this victory , and become proud and insolent , attributing the praise of this to their idols .(:note ) pass over , and offend , [imputing ] this his power to his god . * [Art ] thou not from everlasting , O LORD my God , my Holy One ? we shall not (note :)He assures the godly of God 's protection , showing that the enemy can do no more than God has appointed , and also that their sins require such a sharp rod .(:note ) die . O LORD , thou hast ordained them for judgment ; and , O mighty God , thou hast established them for correction . * Thou art of pure eyes , and canst not see euill : thou canst not behold wickednesse : wherefore doest thou looke vpon the transgressors , and holdest thy tongue when the wicked deuoureth the man , that is more righteous then he ? * And makest men as the (note :)So that the great devours the small , and the Chaldeans destroy all the world .(:note ) fishes of the sea , as the creeping animals , [that have ] no ruler over them ? * They take vp all with the angle : they catch it in their net , and gather it in their yarne , whereof they reioyce and are glad . * Therefore they sacrifice to their (note :)Meaning that the enemies flatter themselves , and glory in their own strength , power , and intellect .(:note ) net , and burn incense to their drag ; because by them their portion [is ] fat , and their food plenteous . * Shall they therefore empty their net , and not spare continually to slay (note :)Meaning , that they would not .(:note ) the nations ?

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