Bible Commentaries

Here we have preserved for us the great song of Deborah, composed and sung in celebration of the victory. It is full of fire and passion and is a remarkable index to the character of the woman herself. It may be divided into two main parts. First, verses one to eleven is a great chant of confidence, telling the story of the deepest secret of the victories. Everything is attributed to the direct government and activity of God. In it she recognized that the leaders were raised and the people followed as the result of His inspiring. Therefore the song uttered His praise. His doings were celebrated from Seir until the day when Israel lacked warriors. She sang the praise of God because He had governed the governors and the people.

The second part of the song celebrates the victory. In the course of it she poured scorn upon those who failed to respond to the call and to come "to the help of Jehovah against the mighty" and spoke in terms of approval of those who did respond. The song gathers strength as it proceeds and celebrates the victory, and in the midst of the great outburst it curses the neutrals and blesses the woman who struck the blow of death to the tyrant Sisera.

Finally the song rejoiced over the death of the tyrant in language that thrills with Eastern imagery and color. Everything ends with the cry, "So let all Thine enemies perish, O Jehovah"; and the prayer, "But let them that love Him be as the sun when he goeth forth in his might." After this deliverance the land had rest again for forty years.