Habakkuk 3:18 kjv
Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
Habakkuk 3:18 nkjv
Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
Habakkuk 3:18 niv
yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.
Habakkuk 3:18 esv
yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
Habakkuk 3:18 nlt
yet I will rejoice in the LORD!
I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
Habakkuk 3 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Neh 8:10 | The joy of the Lord is your strength. | Joy in the Lord as strength. |
| Ps 27:1 | The Lord is my light and my salvation... | God as salvation's source. |
| Ps 42:11 | Why are you cast down, O my soul?... Hope in God... | Hope in God despite despair. |
| Ps 62:1 | For God alone my soul waits in silence; from Him comes my salvation. | Salvation from God alone. |
| Ps 73:26 | My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart... | God as eternal strength. |
| Ps 118:24 | This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. | Daily joy in the Lord's work. |
| Isa 12:2 | Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid... | God as the trust-worthy Savior. |
| Isa 41:10 | Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God... | God's presence alleviates fear. |
| Job 13:15 | Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him; I will surely defend my ways... | Unwavering trust amidst adversity. |
| Lk 1:47 | And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, | Joy in God as personal Savior. |
| Lk 6:22-23 | Blessed are you when people hate you... Rejoice in that day... | Joy amidst persecution. |
| Acts 5:41 | Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were... | Joy in suffering for Christ. |
| Rom 5:3 | Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering... | Rejoicing in tribulation. |
| Rom 8:28 | And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good. | God's sovereignty for good. |
| Phil 3:3 | For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory... | Rejoicing in Christ Jesus, not human effort. |
| Phil 4:4 | Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. | Command to continuous joy in the Lord. |
| 1 Thes 5:16-18 | Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances... | Constant joy and thankfulness. |
| Jas 1:2 | Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, | Joy in trials and tests. |
| 1 Pet 1:8-9 | Though you have not seen Him, you love Him... you rejoice with joy... | Joy in unseen Christ and salvation. |
| Jon 2:9 | But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to You... Salvation... | Salvation belongs to the Lord. |
| Heb 12:2 | looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith... for the joy... | Jesus endured for joy set before Him. |
| Eph 2:8-9 | For by grace you have been saved through faith... | Salvation by grace through faith. |
Habakkuk 3 verses
Habakkuk 3 18 Meaning
Habakkuk 3:18 expresses a profound declaration of unyielding faith and joy in God, despite overwhelming and imminent national devastation. Even though all visible means of sustenance and security might fail, the prophet determines to find his source of exultation in the Lord (Yahweh) alone, acknowledging Him as the "God of my salvation." This signifies a spiritual joy that transcends physical circumstances, material blessings, or earthly expectations, rooted solely in the steadfast character and redemptive power of God. It is a powerful statement of resolute trust and reliance upon God as the ultimate deliverer, irrespective of immediate trials.
Habakkuk 3 18 Context
Habakkuk 3:18 forms the pinnacle of the prophet's prayer-psalm (Habakkuk chapter 3). The book of Habakkuk chronicles the prophet's dialogue with God concerning injustice in Judah and God's surprising response to use the wicked Babylonians as His instrument of judgment. After hearing God's terrifying pronouncements and recounting divine majesty and power demonstrated in Israel's history (3:3-15), Habakkuk is overcome with dread (3:16). He anticipates the coming invasion, starvation, and complete agricultural and economic devastation (3:17). Despite this terrifying prophecy and his visceral fear, Habakkuk resolves to maintain a profound, spiritual joy in the Lord (3:18) and find strength in Him (3:19). This verse marks Habakkuk's shift from questioning and terror to a declaration of unshakeable faith and trust in God's ultimate goodness and power of salvation, transcending immediate calamitous circumstances.
Habakkuk 3 18 Word analysis
- Yet (וַאֲנִי, wa’ănî): The Hebrew connective "but" or "yet" profoundly highlights a dramatic shift. It introduces a powerful contrast to the bleak picture of agricultural and national ruin painted in the preceding verse. The inclusion of the pronoun "I" (anî) emphasizes Habakkuk's personal, deliberate, and resolute choice to trust God, setting his resolve against the overwhelming negative reality.
- I will rejoice (אֶעְלוֹז, ’e‘lōz): From the root ‘ālaz, meaning "to exult," "triumph," "shout for joy." This is not a passive emotion but an active, exuberant expression of joy, often associated with victory or divine deliverance. It denotes a public and unreserved expression of delight.
- in the Lord (בַּיהוָה, baYahweh): This prepositional phrase anchors Habakkuk's joy specifically "in" Yahweh, the covenant-keeping God. It implies that the joy originates from God Himself and is directed toward Him, not toward circumstances or an outcome. It speaks of a deep, relational joy sourced in God's character and presence, independent of external prosperity.
- I will joy (וְאֶגִּילָה, wə’egîlāh): From the root gîl, also meaning "to rejoice," "be glad," or even "leap for joy." This serves as a powerful synonym and reinforces the preceding phrase "I will rejoice." The repetition of expressions for joy in the same verse ("rejoice" and "joy") emphasizes the intensity, certainty, and depth of the prophet's chosen emotional posture. This joyful expression is deliberate and unwavering.
- in the God (בֵּאלֹהֵי, bêlōhê): While Elohim is a general term for God, the possessive suffix "my" indicates a deeply personal relationship and recognition. It underlines that this God, the source of joy, is uniquely and personally Habakkuk's.
- of my salvation (יִשְׁעִי, yiš‘î): From the root yāša‘, "to save," "to deliver," "to help." This phrase defines the specific aspect of God's character in which Habakkuk finds his ultimate joy. It indicates that his confidence is in God as his personal and ultimate Deliverer. This "salvation" transcends immediate earthly, political, or economic deliverance; it speaks to God's ultimate redemptive power. It is a profound acknowledgment that true and lasting deliverance from the deepest perils—including sin and death—comes from God alone, not from worldly success or escape from hardship. It highlights that the prophet's trust is not in the absence of trouble, but in the enduring presence of God who saves.
Habakkuk 3 18 Bonus section
- This verse signifies the emotional and theological climax of Habakkuk's journey from complaint to unwavering trust. It encapsulates the victory of faith over sight.
- It illustrates a theological principle: the believer's true security and joy are found not in what God gives (blessings, prosperity, security) but in who God is (the Lord, the God of salvation).
- The progression from physical fear (v. 16) to spiritual triumph (v. 18-19) showcases the transforming power of beholding God's glory and understanding His plan.
- The "salvation" referred to here is comprehensive, extending beyond temporal deliverance to the ultimate spiritual deliverance and restoration that God provides, a foreshadowing of the redemption through Christ.
- It serves as a powerful model of choosing active worship and rejoicing amidst personal or communal suffering, a vital practice for all believers facing tribulation.
Habakkuk 3 18 Commentary
Habakkuk 3:18 stands as one of the Bible's most profound declarations of defiant joy rooted in faith. Coming immediately after a vivid depiction of national calamity (3:17), the "Yet" acts as a stark, deliberate pivot. It’s not a superficial optimism or denial of suffering, but a resolute choice to center joy on the unchanging nature of God, rather than on volatile circumstances. The prophet’s fear (v. 16) is overcome by a greater, unwavering faith. By saying "I will rejoice," Habakkuk expresses an act of his will, a determined redirection of his focus. The doubling of terms for "joy" amplifies his commitment to this posture. This joy is explicitly "in the Lord" and "in the God of my salvation," indicating that its source is not human strength or material prosperity, but the very person and character of Yahweh, who is inherently the Deliverer. This demonstrates a mature faith that does not demand earthly rescue but rests in God’s ultimate capacity and faithfulness to save. It reveals that genuine spiritual well-being can persist, even flourish, amidst external devastation, finding its deep springs in God alone. This truth points towards a New Testament understanding of salvation that encompasses a radical freedom from worldly dependencies, enabling believers to find their true joy in Christ regardless of tribulations.