Judges 5

1 cecineruntque Debbora et Barac filius Abinoem in die illo dicentes

2 qui sponte obtulistis de Israhel animas vestras ad periculum benedicite Domino

3 audite reges percipite auribus principes ego sum ego sum quae Domino canam psallam Domino Deo Israhel

4 Domine cum exires de Seir et transires per regiones Edom terra mota est caelique ac nubes stillaverunt aquis

5 montes fluxerunt a facie Domini et Sinai a facie Domini Dei Israhel

6 in diebus Samgar filii Anath in diebus Iahel quieverunt semitae et qui ingrediebantur per eas ambulaverunt per calles devios

7 cessaverunt fortes in Israhel et quieverunt donec surgeret Debbora surgeret mater in Israhel

8 nova bella elegit Dominus et portas hostium ipse subvertit clypeus et hasta si apparuerint in quadraginta milibus Israhel

9 cor meum diligit principes Israhel qui propria voluntate obtulistis vos discrimini benedicite Domino

10 qui ascenditis super nitentes asinos et sedetis in iudicio et ambulatis in via loquimini

11 ubi conlisi sunt currus et hostium est suffocatus exercitus ibi narrentur iustitiae Domini et clementia in fortes Israhel tunc descendit populus Domini ad portas et obtinuit principatum

12 surge surge Debbora surge surge et loquere canticum surge Barac et adprehende captivos tuos fili Abinoem

13 salvatae sunt reliquiae populi Dominus in fortibus dimicavit

14 ex Ephraim delevit eos in Amalech et post eum ex Beniamin in populos tuos o Amalech de Machir principes descenderunt et de Zabulon qui exercitum ducerent ad bellandum

15 duces Isachar fuere cum Debbora et Barac vestigia sunt secuti qui quasi in praeceps ac baratrum se discrimini dedit diviso contra se Ruben magnanimorum repperta contentio est

16 quare habitas inter duos terminos ut audias sibilos gregum diviso contra se Ruben magnanimorum repperta contentio est

17 Galaad trans Iordanem quiescebat et Dan vacabat navibus Aser habitabat in litore maris et in portibus morabatur

18 Zabulon vero et Nepthalim obtulerunt animas suas morti in regione Merome

19 venerunt reges et pugnaverunt pugnaverunt reges Chanaan in Thanach iuxta aquas Mageddo et tamen nihil tulere praedantes

20 de caelo dimicatum est contra eos stellae manentes in ordine et cursu suo adversum Sisaram pugnaverunt

21 torrens Cison traxit cadavera eorum torrens Cadumim torrens Cison conculca anima mea robustos

22 ungulae equorum ceciderunt fugientibus impetu et per praeceps ruentibus fortissimis hostium

23 maledicite terrae Meroz dixit angelus Domini maledicite habitatoribus eius quia non venerunt ad auxilium Domini in adiutorium fortissimorum eius

24 benedicta inter mulieres Iahel uxor Aber Cinei benedicatur in tabernaculo suo

25 aquam petenti lac dedit et in fiala principum obtulit butyrum

26 sinistram manum misit ad clavum et dexteram ad fabrorum malleos percussitque Sisaram quaerens in capite vulneri locum et tempus valide perforans

27 inter pedes eius ruit defecit et mortuus est ante pedes illius volvebatur et iacebat exanimis et miserabilis

28 per fenestram prospiciens ululabat mater eius et de cenaculo loquebatur cur moratur regredi currus eius quare tardaverunt pedes quadrigarum illius

29 una sapientior ceteris uxoribus eius haec socrui verba respondit

30 forsitan nunc dividit spolia et pulcherrima feminarum eligitur ei vestes diversorum colorum Sisarae traduntur in praedam et supellex varia ad ornanda colla congeritur

31 sic pereant omnes inimici tui Domine qui autem diligunt te sicut sol in ortu suo splendet ita rutilent

32 quievitque terra per quadraginta annos

Judges 5 Commentary

Chapter 5

Praise and glory ascribed to God. (1-5) The distress and deliverance of Israel. (6-11) Some commended, others censured. (12-23) Sisera's mother disappointed. (24-31)

1-5. No time should be lost in returning thanks to the Lord for his mercies; for our praises are most acceptable, pleasant, and profitable, when they flow from a full heart. By this, love and gratitude would be more excited and more deeply fixed in the hearts of believers; the events would be more known and longer remembered. Whatever Deborah, Barak, or the army had done, the Lord must have all the praise. The will, the power, and the success were all from Him.

6-11. Deborah describes the distressed state of Israel under the tyranny of Jabin, that their salvation might appear more gracious. She shows what brought this misery upon them. It was their idolatry. They chose new gods, with new names. But under all these images, Satan was worshipped. Deborah was a mother to Israel, by diligently promoting the salvation of their souls. She calls on those who shared the advantages of this great salvation, to offer up thanks to God for it. Let such as are restored, not only to their liberty as other Israelites, but to their rank, speak God's praises. This is the Lord's doing. In these acts of his, justice was executed on his enemies. In times of persecution, God's ordinances, the walls of salvation, whence the waters of life are drawn, are resorted to at the hazard of the lives of those who attend them. At all times Satan will endeavour to hinder the believer from drawing near to the throne of grace. Notice God's kindness to his trembling people. It is the glory of God to protect those who are most exposed, and to help the weakest. Let us notice the benefit we have from the public peace, the inhabitants of villages especially, and give God the praise.

Verses 12-23 Deborah called on her own soul to be in earnest. He that will set the hearts of other men on fire with the love of Christ, must himself burn with love. Praising God is a work we should awake to, and awake ourselves unto. She notices who fought against Israel, who fought for them, and who kept away. Who fought against them. They were obstinate enemies to God's people, therefore the more dangerous. Who fought for them. The several tribes that helped are here spoken of with honour; for though God is above all to be glorified, those who are employed must have their due praise, to encourage others. But the whole creation is at war with those to whom God is an enemy. The river of Kishon fought against their enemies. At most times it was shallow, yet now, probably by the great rain that fell, it was so swelled, and the stream so deep and strong, that those who attempted to pass, were drowned. Deborah's own soul fought against them. When the soul is employed in holy exercises, and heart-work is made of them, through the grace of God, the strength of our spiritual enemies will be trodden down, and will fall before us. She observes who kept away, and did not side with Israel, as might have been expected. Thus many are kept from doing their duty by the fear of trouble, the love of ease, and undue affection to their worldly business and advantage. Narrow, selfish spirits care not what becomes of God's church, so that they can but get, keep, and save money. All seek their own, ( Philippians 2:21 ) . A little will serve those for a pretence to stay at home, who have no mind to engage in needful services, because there is difficulty and danger in them. But we cannot keep away from the contest between the Lord and his enemies; and if we do not actively endeavour to promote his cause in this wicked world, we shall fall under the curse against the workers of iniquity. Though He needs no human help, yet he is pleased to accept the services of those who improve their talents to advance his cause. He requires every man to do so.

Verses 24-31 Jael had a special blessing. Those whose lot is cast in the tent, in a low and narrow sphere, if they serve God according to the powers he has given them, shall not lose their reward. The mother of Sisera looked for his return, not in the least fearing his success. Let us take heed of indulging eager desires towards any temporal good, particularly toward that which cherishes vain-glory, for that was what she here doted on. What a picture does she present of an ungodly and sensual heart! How shameful and childish these wishes of an aged mother and her attendants for her son! And thus does God often bring ruin on his enemies when they are most puffed up. Deborah concludes with a prayer to God for the destruction of all his foes, and for the comfort of all his friends. Such shall be the honour, and joy of all who love God in sincerity, they shall shine for ever as the sun in the firmament.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO JUDGES 5

This chapter contains a song of praise on account of the victories obtained over Jabin, and his kingdom; after an exhortation to praise is given, and kings excited to attend to it, the majestic appearance of God at Seir, on Sinai, is observed, to raise in the mind a divine veneration of him, Jud 5:1-5; then the miserable state and condition Israel was in before these victories, and therefore had the more reason to be thankful, Jud 5:6-8; the governors, and judges, and the people that were delivered, together with Deborah and Barak, are stirred up to rehearse the righteous acts of the Lord, and bless his name, Jud 5:9-13; and those who willingly engaged in the war are praised, and such who were negligent reproved, and some even cursed, Jud 5:14-23; but Jael, Heber's wife, is particularly commended for her exploit in slaying Sisera, Jud 5:24-27; and the mother of Sisera, and her ladies, are represented as wondering at his long delay, and as assured of his having got the victory, Jud 5:28-30; and the song is concluded with a prayer for the destruction, of the enemies of the Lord, and for the happiness and glory of them that love him, Jud 5:31.