The Song of Deborah

5 On that day Deborah and Barak son of Abinoam sang this song: 2 “Israel’s leaders took charge, Praise the LORD! 3 “Listen, you kings! I will make music to the LORD, the God of Israel. 4 “LORD, when you set out from Seir and the cloudy skies poured down rain. 5 The mountains quaked in the presence of the LORD, the God of Israel. 6 “In the days of Shamgar son of Anath, and travelers stayed on winding pathways. 7 There were few people left in the villages of Israel— until Deborah arose as a mother for Israel. 8 When Israel chose new gods, among forty thousand warriors in Israel! 9 My heart is with the commanders of Israel, Praise the LORD! 10 “Consider this, you who ride on fine donkeys, and you who walk along the road. 11 Listen to the village musicians marched down to the city gates. 12 “Wake up, Deborah, wake up! Lead your captives away, son of Abinoam! 13 “Down from Tabor marched the few against the nobles. The people of the LORD marched down against mighty warriors. 14 They came down from Ephraim— from Zebulun came those who carry a commander’s staff. 15 The princes of Issachar were with Deborah and Barak. there was great indecision. 16 Why did you sit at home among the sheepfolds— there was great indecision. 17 Gilead remained east of the Jordan. remaining in his harbors. 18 But Zebulun risked his life, as did Naphtali, on the heights of the battlefield. 19 “The kings of Canaan came and fought, but they carried off no silver treasures. 20 The stars fought from heaven. The stars in their orbits fought against Sisera. 21 The Kishon River swept them away— March on with courage, my soul! 22 Then the horses’ hooves hammered the ground, the galloping, galloping of Sisera’s mighty steeds. 23 ‘Let the people of Meroz be cursed,’ said the angel of the LORD. to help the LORD against the mighty warriors.’ 24 “Most blessed among women is Jael, May she be blessed above all women who live in tents. 25 Sisera asked for water, she brought him yogurt. 26 Then with her left hand she reached for a tent peg, With a shattering blow, she pierced his temples. 27 He sank, he fell, there he died. 28 “From the window Sisera’s mother looked out. Why don’t we hear the sound of chariot wheels?’ 29 “Her wise women answer, and she repeats these words to herself: 30 ‘They must be dividing the captured plunder— colorful robes embroidered on both sides.’ 31 “LORD, may all your enemies die like Sisera! Then there was peace in the land for forty years.

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