Judges 5:8-18

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

Judges 5:8-18 Meaning and Commentary

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.