Habakkuk 3:10

“The mountains saw thee, [and] they trembled, etc.] At the power and presence of God, as Sinai of old; (see Gill on “<350306>Habakkuk 3:6”) by which are signified mighty people and nations, kings and great men, struck with terror at the amazing providence of God in the world, on the behalf of his own people, and against their enemies; (see <660614>Revelation 6:14-17): the overflowing of the water passed by; which is usually referred to the overflowing of the river Jordan at the time of the passage of the Israelites through it, when the waters above stood and rose up as a heap, and those below failed, and were cut off, and passed away into the salt sea, (<060315>Joshua 3:15,16) but perhaps it…”

“The mountains--repetition with increased emphasis of some of the tremendous phenomena mentioned in Hab 3:6. overflowing of the water passed by--namely, of the Red Sea; and again, of the Jordan. God marked His favor to His people in all the elements, causing every obstacle, whether mountains or waters, which impeded their progress, to "pass away" [CALVIN]. MAURER, not so well, translates, "torrents (rains) of water rush down." lifted . . . hands on high--namely, its billows lifted on high by the tempest. Personification. As men signify by voice or gesture of hand that they will do what they are commanded, so these parts of nature testified their obedience to God's will (Exo 14:22; Jos 3:16;…”

“The mountains saw Thee and they trembled - literally, “they tremble.” While man is insensate, inanimate nature feels and attests the presence of its Maker. “It saw it trembles.” To see, feel, tremble were one. The prophet does not follow a bare order of events, or bind himself to miracles which actually took place. The mountains tremble with earthquakes, or seem to be shaken by the thunders which they re-echo. And so they are signs, how what is firmest and closes up the way to man, trembles at the Presence of God. Whatever is lifted up shall be bowed down before Him. (See Zechariah 4:7.). But the word “trembled” is that which is especially used of travail pangs and so it may spiritually…”

“Overflowing - The inundation which at that season was wont to be very great in and round Jordan, passed away at the word of God; the waters below flowed, and ran from those above, which stood on a heap to make a path for Israel. The deep - Either the deep channel in which Jordan flowed, or the Red Sea with dreadful roaring parted its waters. Lift up his hands - Its waves which stood on an heap. Habakkuk 3:11”

“3:10 waters: See study note on 3:8; see also Exod 15:1-18.”

“mountains: Hab 3:6; Exo 19:16-18; Jdg 5:4, Jdg 5:5; Psa 68:7, Psa 68:8, Psa 77:18, Psa 97:4, Psa 97:5, Psa 114:4, Psa 114:6; Isa 64:1, Isa 64:2; Jer 4:24; Mic 1:4; Nah 1:5; Mat 27:51; Rev 6:14, Rev 20:11 the overflowing: Exo 14:22-28; Jos 3:15, Jos 3:16, Jos 4:18, Jos 4:23, Jos 4:24; Neh 9:11; Psa 18:15, Psa 66:6; Psa 74:13-15, Psa 77:16-19, Psa 114:3-8, Psa 136:13-15; Isa 11:15, Isa 11:16, Isa 63:11-13; Heb 11:29; Rev 16:12 the deep: Psa 65:13, Psa 93:3, Psa 96:11-13, Psa 98:7, Psa 98:8; Isa 43:20, Isa 55:12 Habakkuk 3:11”

“"The mountains see Thee, they writhe: a shower of waters passes along: the abyss lifts up its voice, it lifts up its hands on high. Hab 3:11. Sun, moon, enter into their habitation at the light of Thine arrows which shoot by, at the shining of the lightning of Thy spear." The effect of the coming of God upon the mountains was already referred to in Hab 3:6. There they crumbled into ruins, here they writhe with terror. This difference is to be explained from the fact that there ( Hab 3:6) the general effect of the omnipotence of God upon nature was intended, whereas here ( Hab 3:10, Hab 3:11) the special effect is described, which is produced upon nature by the judgment about to be executed…”