The Composition of The Song of Deborah

Introduction

The people of Israel were being oppressed by King Jabin and General Sisera . There were 900 chariots and Sisera and Jabin were making the lives of Israelites much worse . At that time , with no other support and leadership , Israelites turned to the guidance of Deborah who was a judge and a prophet . Deborah assists Barak and together Israelites were freed from enemy tribe who were defeated in the battle with the military operation of Deborah . The song of Deborah describes as to how the battle was won and especially the song

carries feminine sensitivity detailing the emotions of Sisera 's mother who learns that Sisera is killed in battle

Song of Deborah (Judges 5 :1-31 ) composition is as follows

Verse 2-3 : Opens with praise that Israel must cooperate with each other in winning the battle . Under the leadership of Deborah , the tribes gathered together to fight against Canaanite tribe

Verse 4-5 : Praise to Adonai with the fact that God spoke to Israel on Mount Sinai . A view that God would take the form of earthquake and lightning to walk with Israel to lead in battle

Verse 6-8 : Details about oppression that Israelites had no weapons to fight , lack of food , reduction in farming and deserted roads as there were many raids on common man . Israelites were literally suffering from Jabin and Sisera and could not retaliate in any form against these rebellious tribal leaders until Deborah tried severely to free Israelites from oppression

Verse 9-18 : Deborah appointed Barak as commander and people joined Barak to join the battle . There was great rejoice in the military camp as Ephraim , Benjamin , Zebulon , Naphtali and Issachar joined the battle

Verse 19-23 : The fighting began in a big way with the joining of other kings of Canaanite tribe with Jabin to fight against Israel

Verse 24-27 : States about the death of Sisera and about the problems faced by women in tent raising

Verse 28-30 states about the worry that is borne by a mother in the event of losing son and how the tragedy of war causes agony to the near and dear

Verse 31 : The final verse of the song declares God 's mercy on friends and how God rebels on enemies as God said to Abraham I will curse those who curse you . The armies of Jabin and Sisera faced the wrath of God for causing affliction to the God 's people . The song ends with a note : those who love God will be as powerful as the rising sun

The entire song of Deborah depicts about the piety and brilliance of Deborah , and the intimate relation that is maintained with Israelites that people began to trust and approached Deborah for help and to redeem from enemies . A song that is 3000 years old written originally written in Hebrew language by a woman judge and prophet indicates the rich literature and prose poetic style used by the early people

Hear this , you kings

Listen , you rulers

I will sing to...