§ 1. The title. A prayer. There is only one formal prayer in the ode, that in Habakkuk 3:2; but the term is used of any devotional composition; and, indeed, the whole poem may be regarded as the development of the precatory sentences in the proemium.
(For other hymns in the prophetical books, see Isaiah 24:1-23, and Isaiah 35:1-10.; Ezekiel 19:1-14.; Jah 2.; Micah 6:6, etc.; and as parallel to this ode, comp. Deuteronomy 33:2, etc.; 5:4, etc.; Psalms 68:7, etc.
; Psalms 77:13-20; Psalms 114:1-8.; Isaiah 63:11-14.) Of Habakkuk the prophet. The name and title of the author are prefixed to show that this is no mere private effusion, but an outpouring of prophecy under Divine inspiration.
Upon Shigionoth (comp. title of Psalms 7:1-17.); Septuagint, μετὰ ᾠδῆς, "with song;" Vulgate, pro ignorantiis. For this latter rendering Jerome had etymological ground, but did not sufficiently consider the use of shiggayon in Psalms 7:1-17; where it indicates the style of poetry, nor, as Keil shows, the fact that all the headings of Psalms introduced, as the present, with al, refer either to the melody, or accompaniment, or style in which they were to be sung.
The Revised Version gives, "set to Shigionoth;" and the expression is best explained to mean, in an impassioned or triumphal strain, with rapid change of emotion, a dithy rambic song—a description which admirably suits this ode.