I saw the tents of Cushan in affliction. The dwellings of the land of Midian trembled.
I saw the tents of Cushan in affliction,.... The same with Cush or Ethiopia; hence the Septuagint and Vulgate Latin versions render it, "the tents of the Ethiopians"; and these are the same with "the curtains of Midian" in the next clause, tents being made of curtains, and the Ethiopians and Midianites the same people; so the daughter of the priest of Midian, whom Moses...
This passage draws its language throughout from earlier revelations of God in Israel's history, especially Moses' song in Deuteronomy and the Psalms. Habakkuk is not merely recalling past wonders as comfort; he is predicting a future coming of the Lord to judge the nations, as the future tense at the head of the description makes clear.
AI summary
Commenting on Habakkuk 3:3-15
The Prophet relates here, no doubt, whatever might bring comfort to the miserable Jews, as they thought themselves rejected and in a manner alienated from God. Hence the Prophet mentions here other deliverances, which were clear evidences of God’s constant favor towards his chosen people.