Charles Ellicott Commentary Habakkuk 1:3

"Why dost thou show me iniquity, and look upon perverseness? for destruction and violence are before me; and there is strife, and contention riseth up." — Habakkuk 1:3 (ASV)

Why dost thou shew me iniquity? ... —Better, Why dost thou show me distress and look upon grievance; oppression and violence are before me; and there is strife, and contention exalts itself." The question, "Why dost thou ... look upon grievance?" is illustrated by Habakkuk 1:13, Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil. Grievance, or "trouble willfully caused." Heb. âmâl, associated again with âven, a term of similar import, in Psalms 10:7; Psalms 55:11.