Matthew Poole and continuators on Habakkuk 3:9

9 Thy bow was made quite naked , according to the oaths of the tribes , even thy word . Selah . Thou didst cleave the earth with rivers .

One part of Armour put for the whole, or else the Lord here is represented as armed, in readiness to smite through all enemies, having his bow in his hand.

The case taken off, that when 'twas to be used, there might be no delay.

In pursuance of his Oath made to our Fathers, he promised, and confirmed the promise by Oath, that he would drive out the Canaanites, and this Oath is here called Oaths, because repeated and renewed at several times, and 'tis Oaths of, i. e. to the Tribes, to raise their hope in their present low condition; Not Abraham here mentioned, lest they should be upbraided with degenerating and losing the right to the Promises; but 'tis Tribes, the right is in them.

Of promise.

Note it well.

When they were to march through a dry and thirsty Land, where no water was, how should they subsist? what good to be defended from perishing by the sword of an enemy, and be left to perish for want of refreshing waters? This then is added to compleat the Mercy, our God made Rivers in the desert for them, and satisfied them with streams out of the flinty Rock.

Marginal references: Or, thou didst cleave the rivers of the earth.