Chapter 5. Deborah's Song.
This chapter contains a song of praise by Deborah and Barak over the victories gained over Jabin and his kingdom. An exhortation to praise is offered, and kings stirred to listen to it. Then the majestic appearance of God at Seir and on Sinai is described in awe-inspiring terms. This is followed by a description of the miserable state and condition Israel was in before these victories, until Deborah arose to deliver them, and the call went out to the tribes to respond in accordance with the covenant. Descriptions follow of those who responded and those who failed to respond. The latter are reproved, and even cursed. The battle is then described and blessing offered for Jael who as a foreigner dealt with the enemy general. It finishes with the sad picture of Sisera's wife waiting hopelessly for her man to return, and a final plea that Yahweh's enemies will all likewise perish and those who love Him be as the sun in its brilliance. Introduction (Judges 5:1-3).
‘ Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam, in that day, saying.'
That the song of Deborah was contemporary with the victory itself is recognised by most scholars. The song would appear to have been composed by Deborah herself (Judges 5:7), but it was a public song of victory in which all partook. It is an interesting example of Hebrew parallelism whereby each line is repeated in a different way.