yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Even though circumstances are dire and all outward provisions have failed, the prophet pivots from lament to an audacious declaration of joy. This isn't a forced optimism, but a profound choice to anchor his exultation not in his temporary situation, but in the enduring character and saving power of God Himself.
yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Habakkuk has just described a terrifying vision of God's judgment upon nations and the impending devastation of his own land, leaving him trembling. In response to this grim outlook, he declares that despite the desolation he foresees – no crops, no livestock – he will still choose to rejoice in the Lord, finding his ultimate joy in the God who is his salvation.
What do you do when everything you rely on is stripped away? Habakkuk shows us a profound choice for joy that defies circumstances.
Habakkuk's declaration in verse 18 isn't just a hopeful wish; it's a deliberate decision, a choice made in the face of utter desolation. He's just described a scene of complete agricultural failure—no figs, no grapes, no olives, no crops, no sheep, no cattle. Everything that sustained life and provided comfort is gone.
The Power of 'Yet'
This is where the word 'yet' becomes incredibly powerful. It signals a pivot, a conscious decision to redirect his focus. Despite the bleak reality, Habakkuk resolves, 'Yet I will rejoice in the LORD.' This isn't about ignoring the pain or pretending things are fine. It's about anchoring his joy in something infinitely more stable than his circumstances.
Where does lasting joy come from? Habakkuk points to a source that cannot be taken away, even when everything else is.
The prophet doesn't just say he'll rejoice; he specifies where and in whom he will find this joy: 'in the LORD' and 'in the God of my salvation.' This is crucial because it reveals the object of his delight.
Joy Rooted in God's Identity
His joy isn't found in his possessions, his health, or his security, but in the eternal, unchanging character of God Himself. The commentaries highlight that 'the LORD' refers to God's covenant name, His personal name, while 'the God of my salvation' points to His redemptive power and His role as Savior. Even when external provisions fail, God remains God. He is the constant, the faithful one, the ultimate source of deliverance. This joy is not dependent on what God him, but on who God .
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What kind of salvation brings such profound joy, even in the worst of times? Habakkuk points to a salvation that transcends the present.
The phrase 'the God of my salvation' is key here. It doesn't just refer to a past rescue, but to God's ongoing, and ultimately complete, work of saving His people. Habakkuk, even amidst potential invasion and devastation, finds reason to rejoice because he trusts in God's power to deliver.
Anticipating God's Deliverance
This salvation encompasses both the immediate relief from hardship and the ultimate, eternal redemption. The commentaries suggest this joy is both present ('I will rejoice') and future-oriented ('I will joy' implies an ongoing, deepening experience). It's a confidence that God, who has saved His people in the past (like the Exodus), will save them again, and ultimately, will bring them to everlasting salvation through His appointed Messiah. This certainty fuels an unshakeable joy.
Understand the original words
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal name of the covenant-keeping God of Israel. It denotes His self-existence, eternal nature, and faithfulness to His people, frequently linked to His redemptive works.
alaz · Hebrew Verb
A state of profound internal gladness and exultation, often expressed through singing or external display. Biblically, this joy is not based on circumstances but is grounded in the character and works of God.
yesha · Hebrew Noun
The One who delivers, rescues, or preserves from danger, destruction, or sin. In a theological sense, it emphasizes God as the sole source of safety and eternal restoration for His people.
Habakkuk's unwavering declaration of joy in God, even amidst predicted devastation and exile, speaks volumes. It's a radical trust placed not in circumstances, but in the unchanging character of God as the source of salvation, even when all earthly 'fruit' has failed.
c. 700-600 BC— this verse
Prophetic Ministry of Habakkuk
Habakkuk serves as a prophet during a tumultuous period, likely during the Neo-Babylonian Empire's rise and dominance over Judah.
605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar I deports a segment of Judah's elite, including Daniel, to Babylon. This event signifies the increasing power of Babylon and the weakening of Judah.
597 BC
Second Babylonian Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar II deports King Jehoiachin and thousands more Judeans, including the prophet Ezekiel, to Babylon.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Third Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling the remaining significant population to Babylon. This marks the end of the Davidic monarchy and a national catastrophe.
This Psalm mirrors Habakkuk's sentiment, urging the righteous to 'be glad in the LORD and rejoice' and find their refuge in Him, echoing the prophet's joy even amidst hardship.
Romans 8:38-39Paul echoes Habakkuk's unshakeable confidence, declaring that nothing, not even dire circumstances, can separate believers from the love of God in Christ Jesus, reinforcing the idea of rejoicing in God's ultimate salvation.
Micah 7:7This passage shares a profound parallel, with the prophet stating, 'But as for me, I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me,' directly linking the act of waiting and looking to God with salvation and personal joy.
Philippians 4:4Paul's exhortation to 'Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice!' resonates deeply with Habakkuk's determined joy, suggesting that this kind of rejoicing is a command and a way of life, even when outward circumstances are bleak.
Psalm 18:2This Psalm declares, 'The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower,' highlighting God as the source of salvation and refuge, a concept central to Habakkuk's source of joy.
gillHabakkuk 3:18: "Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation."
Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,.... In the Word of the Lord, as the Targum; the essential Word of the Lord, the Lord Jesus Christ; in his person, the greatness and glory of it; in his offices, as Prophet, Priest, and King, the only Mediator and Saviour; in his relations, as head and husband, father, brother, friend; in his fulness, grace, and righteousness; in his spiritual presence, and comfortable communio…
barnesHabakkuk 3:18: "Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation."
Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. - The words are very impressive, as they stand in the Hebrew. "For," he says, "the fig tree shall not blossom, and there is no fruit in the vines, the labor of the olive hath failed;" (the prophet does not look on, only to these things, but in his mind stands in the midst of them, they are done, and he amid them, feeling their effects) "…
Even though circumstances are dire and all outward provisions have failed, the prophet pivots from lament to an audacious declaration of joy. This isn't a forced optimism, but a profound choice to anchor his exultation not in his temporary situation, but in the enduring character and saving power of God Himself.
Habakkuk has just described a terrifying vision of God's judgment upon nations and the impending devastation of his own land, leaving him trembling. In response to this grim outlook, he declares that despite the desolation he foresees – no crops, no livestock – he will still choose to rejoice in the Lord, finding his ultimate joy in the God who is his salvation.
Habakkuk has just described a terrifying vision of God's judgment upon nations and the impending devastation of his own land, leaving him trembling. In response to this grim outlook, he declares that despite the desolation he foresees – no crops, no livestock – he will still choose to rejoice in the Lord, finding his ultimate joy in the God who is his salvation.
"yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation." — Even though circumstances are dire and all outward provisions have failed, the prophet pivots from lament to an audacious declaration of joy. This isn't a forced optimism, but a profound choice to an…
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Last reviewed October 2026