The meaning of the term is obscure, but the term apparently denotes a musical form or tempo (cf. Psa. 7, title).

In his prayer for revival, Habakkuk represents all God’s elect throughout the generations. Among God’s elect there has always been an aspiration to be revived. Moreover, since the fall of man there has been in all creation an aspiration for revival (Rom. 8:19-23). Adam’s fall brought corruption, slavery, and death into the whole creation (Rom. 5:12); everything is decaying and is under the slavery of corruption. All the things that are under this slavery aspire to be revived.

The universal need for revival, for restoration, can be met only by Christ and in Christ. Only Christ, who was resurrected on the third day (1 Cor. 15:4), is the renewing power. For the whole universe and for all mankind, Christ is the reality of the third day (John 11:25). The reality of the third day is the person of the resurrected Christ with the reality of revival. Christ, therefore, is the element of the revival for which all creation aspires. The corruption and desolation can be swallowed up only by Christ’s resurrection. The way to experience revival is to contact Christ by repenting and confessing our sins, failures, and darkness, thereby entering into Him as the resurrection. Cf. Hosea 6:2 and note Hosea 6:2¹.

See note Psa. 3:2¹.

Or (as the Septuagint translates), shakes.

I.e., Ethiopia.

Referring to the Chaldeans.

Perhaps indicating that Habakkuk was also qualified to participate in the musical temple worship. He might have been a priest or a Levite.