Habakkuk 3

Jehovah

Jehovah (LORD) — the covenant name, 'I AM'; the premortal Christ

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 3:2

Habakkuk pleads with the LORD to renew His saving work and, even in judgment, to remember mercy. Mercy tempering justice is the heart of what Jesus Christ accomplished.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4)

Holy One of Israel

Holy One — the Holy One of Israel

God came from Teman, and the Holy One from mount Paran. Selah. His glory covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise. Habakkuk 3:3–6

Habakkuk sees the Holy One coming in glory, His brightness like light and rays ('horns') streaming from His hand, where His power is hidden. It recalls Jehovah appearing at Sinai, the premortal Christ revealed in glory.

• alludes to Deuteronomy 33:2 — 'The LORD came from Sinai... he shined forth from mount Paran.'

Jehovah

Was the LORD displeased against the rivers? was thine anger against the rivers? was thy wrath against the sea, that thou didst ride upon thine horses and thy chariots of salvation? Habakkuk 3:8–12

Habakkuk remembers Jehovah's mighty deeds for Israel, like parting the sea and making the sun and moon stand still. He pictures the LORD riding 'chariots of salvation' to rescue His people.

Messiah

Messiah — the Anointed One

Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people, even for salvation with thine anointed; thou woundedst the head out of the house of the wicked, by discovering the foundation unto the neck. Selah. Habakkuk 3:13

The LORD goes out to save His people together with 'thine anointed,' the Hebrew word mashiach, or Messiah. The picture of wounding the head of the wicked recalls the first promise that the Seed of the woman would crush the serpent's head.

How we know: a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in Psalm 2:2 — The rulers take counsel 'against the LORD, and against his anointed.'
• alludes to Genesis 3:15 — The Seed of the woman shall bruise the serpent's head.

Savior

God of my salvation — the Hebrew root yasha, 'to save,' is the root of the names Joshua and Jesus

Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. Habakkuk 3:18–19

Even if every crop and flock fails, Habakkuk will rejoice in 'the God of my salvation.' Mary used the same kind of words when she praised 'God my Saviour' while carrying Jesus.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4)

• alluded to by Luke 1:47 — Mary: 'my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.' A widely noted echo.