The Lord GOD
This phrase emphasizes the sovereignty and supreme authority of God. In Hebrew, "Yahweh Adonai" is used, signifying the covenantal name of God combined with a title of lordship. This duality underscores God's personal relationship with His people and His ultimate control over all creation. Historically, this reflects the Israelites' understanding of God as both a personal protector and a universal ruler, a theme that resonates throughout the Old Testament.

is my strength
The Hebrew word for "strength" here is "chayil," which can also mean might, efficiency, or wealth. This suggests that God is not only a source of physical strength but also of moral and spiritual fortitude. In the context of Habakkuk, who is facing national turmoil and personal despair, this declaration is a profound statement of faith. It reflects a deep trust in God's ability to empower and sustain His people through trials.

He makes my feet like those of a deer
The imagery of a deer, or "ayalah" in Hebrew, conveys agility, swiftness, and sure-footedness. In the rugged terrain of ancient Israel, deer were known for their ability to navigate difficult landscapes with grace and confidence. This metaphor suggests that God equips the believer to move through life's challenges with similar ease and assurance. It is a promise of divine enablement, allowing one to overcome obstacles and ascend to greater spiritual heights.

He enables me to tread on the heights
The phrase "tread on the heights" evokes the idea of triumph and victory. In ancient times, high places were often associated with security and strategic advantage. Spiritually, this can be interpreted as rising above earthly troubles and attaining a closer communion with God. The Hebrew word "bamah" for "heights" can also refer to places of worship, indicating that God empowers His people to reach new levels of spiritual insight and worship. This is a call to live victoriously, trusting in God's provision and guidance.

(19) The Lord God.--This is an adaptation from Psalm 18:33. The "hinds' feet" indicate the strength and elasticity of the prophet's confidence; the "high places" are, as Kleinert observes, "the heights of salvation which stand at the end of the way of tribulation, and which only the righteous man can climb by the confidence of faith."

To the chief singer--i.e., to the precentor, or presiding singer. The rubric may be interpreted either "To the precentor. (To be performed) on my stringed instruments," or, "To him who presides over my stringed instruments." The fact that the same direction occurs with the words in the same order in six Psalms perhaps favours the latter rendering in all cases. The preposition al would, however, in this case be appropriate rather than b' On the terms used, see Psalm 4:1. It has been inferred from the use of the possessive pronoun, "my stringed instruments," that Habakkuk was a Levite, and therefore himself entitled to accompany the Temple music. But see Introduction, ? 1.

Verse 19. - The Lord God is my strength; more accurately, Jehovah, the Lord, is my strength, from Psalm 18:32; comp. Psalm 27:1. He will make my feet like hinds' feet (Psalm 18:33). He makes me active and swift-footed as the gazelle, as a lusty warrior (2 Samuel 1:23; 2 Samuel 2:18) should be. So by the help of God I shall be superior to my enemies. He will make me to walk upon mine high places. The expression is used properly of God (Micah 1:3), and elsewhere, says Keil, to denote the victorious possession and government of a country (see Deuteronomy 32:13; Deuteronomy 33:29). Here it signifies that believing Israel shall overcome all opposition and dwell in safety in its own land. To the chief singer (musician) on my stringed instruments (neginoth). This is a musical direction, answering to the heading in ver. 1, and implies that the ode is committed to the conductor of the temple music, to be by him adapted for the public service to the accompaniment of stringed instruments. Such directions are elsewhere always found at the beginning, not the end, of psalms (see Psalm 4; Psalm 6; Psalm 54; Psalm 55; Psalm 67; Psalm 76.). It has been thought that the suffix of the first person, "my stringed instruments," denotes that Habakkuk had a right to take part in the temple service, and was therefore a Levite; but it is very doubtful whether this suffix is not a clerical error, as Kuenen and Ewald suppose, or merely paragogic. Certainly neither the Greek, Latin, nor Syriac Versions afford it any confirmation. These versions make the subscription part of the ode. Thus LXX., Ἐπι τὰ ὑψηλὰ ἐπιβιβᾶ με, τοῦ νικῆσαι ἐν τῇ ὠδῇ αὐτοῦ, He maketh me to mount upon the high places, that I may conquer by his song;" Vulgate, Super excelsa mea deducet me victor (victori, Cod. Amiat.) in psalmis canentem.

Parallel Commentaries ...

GOD
יְהוִ֤הּ‪‬‪‬ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3069: YHWH

the Lord
אֲדֹנָי֙ (’ă·ḏō·nāy)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 136: The Lord

is my strength;
חֵילִ֔י (ḥê·lî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 2428: A force, an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength

He makes
וַיָּ֤שֶׂם (way·yā·śem)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7760: Put -- to put, place, set

my feet
רַגְלַי֙ (raḡ·lay)
Noun - fdc | first person common singular
Strong's 7272: A foot, a step, the pudenda

like those of a deer;
כָּֽאַיָּל֔וֹת (kā·’ay·yā·lō·wṯ)
Preposition-k, Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 355: A doe, female deer

He makes me walk
יַדְרִכֵ֑נִי (yaḏ·ri·ḵê·nî)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 1869: To tread, to walk, to string a, bow

upon
וְעַ֥ל (wə·‘al)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the heights!
בָּמוֹתַ֖י (bā·mō·w·ṯay)
Noun - feminine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1116: An elevation

For the choirmaster.
לַמְנַצֵּ֖חַ (lam·naṣ·ṣê·aḥ)
Preposition-l, Article | Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5329: To glitter from afar, to be eminent, to be permanent

With stringed instruments.
בִּנְגִינוֹתָֽי׃ (bin·ḡî·nō·w·ṯāy)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 5058: Instrumental music, a stringed instrument, a poem set to music, an epigram


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OT Prophets: Habakkuk 3:19 Yahweh the Lord is my strength (Hab Hb)