Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
But the Lord—JEHOVAH; in striking contrast with the idols.
in his holy temple—"His place" (Isaiah 26:21); heaven (Psalms 11:4; Jonah 2:7; Micah 1:2). The temple at Jerusalem is a type of it, and there God is to be worshipped. He does not lie hid under gold and silver, as the idols of Babylon, but reigns in heaven and fills heaven, and thence succors His people.
keep silence—in token of reverent submission and subjection to His judgments (Job 40:4; Psalms 76:8; Zephaniah 1:7; Zechariah 2:13).
This sublime ode begins with an exordium (Habakkuk 3:1-2), then follows the main subject, then the peroration (Habakkuk 3:16-19), a summary of the practical truth, which the whole is designed to teach. (Deuteronomy 33:2-5; Psalms 77:13-20 are parallel odes). This was probably designed by the Spirit to be a fit formula of prayer for the people, first in their Babylonian exile, and now in their dispersion, especially towards the close of it, just before the great Deliverer is to interpose for them. It was used in public worship, as the musical term, "Selah!" (Habakkuk 3:3, Habakkuk 3:9, Habakkuk 3:13), implies.
Other Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown entries containing Habakkuk 2:20:
Ecclesiastes 4:2
Zephaniah 1:7
Zechariah 2:13
1 Corinthians 3:17
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