The song of Deborah
Then Deborah and Barak son of Abinoam sang on that day: Praise the LORD for the avenging of Israel, when the people willingly offered themselves. Hear this, you kings. Listen, you princes. I, even I, will sing to the Lord. I will sing praise to the Lord God of Israel. Lord, when you went out from Seir, when you marched from the country of Edom, the earth trembled and the heavens poured, and the clouds poured down water. The mountains melted before the Lord — that Sinai, before the Lord God of Israel. In the days of Shamgar son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the roads were empty, and travellers kept to the back tracks. Village life in Israel had come to a stop. It had stopped, until I, Deborah, arose — until I arose, a mother in Israel. They chose new gods, and then there was war at the gates. Was there a shield or a spear to be seen among forty thousand in Israel? My heart goes out to the commanders of Israel, who offered themselves willingly among the people. Bless the Lord. Speak of it, you who ride on white donkeys, you who sit in judgment, and you who walk by the way. Those delivered from the noise of archers at the watering places will tell again the righteous acts of the LORD, the righteous acts toward his villages in Israel. Then the people of the LORD went down to the gates. Awake, awake, Deborah. Awake, awake, break out in song. Get up, Barak, and lead your captives away, son of Abinoam. Then he made those who remained have dominion over the nobles among the people. The LORD made me have dominion over the mighty. Out of Ephraim came a root of them against Amalek. After you, Benjamin, among your people. Out of Machir came down governors, and out of Zebulun those who handle the pen of the writer. And the princes of Issachar were with Deborah — Issachar, and Barak too, sent on foot into the valley. Among the divisions of Reuben there was much searching of heart. Why did you stay among the sheepfolds, listening to the whistling for the flocks? Among the divisions of Reuben there was much searching of heart. Gilead stayed beyond the Jordan. And Dan — why did he stay by the ships? Asher sat still at the seashore and stayed by his inlets. Zebulun and Naphtali were a people who risked their lives to the death on the heights of the field. The kings came and fought. Then the kings of Canaan fought at Taanach by the waters of Megiddo. They took no plunder of silver. They fought from heaven. The stars in their courses fought against Sisera. The river Kishon swept them away, that ancient river, the river Kishon. O my soul, you have trodden down strength. Then the horses' hooves were broken by the pounding, the pounding of their mighty ones. Curse Meroz, said the angel of the Lord. Curse its people bitterly, because they didn't come to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty. Blessed above women is Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite. Blessed above women in the tent. He asked for water, and she gave him milk. She brought him butter in a lordly dish. She put her hand to the tent peg, and her right hand to the workman's hammer. With the hammer she struck Sisera; she struck off his head after piercing and striking through his temples. At her feet he sank down. He fell. He lay still. At her feet he sank down, he fell. Where he sank down, there he fell dead. The mother of Sisera looked out of a window and cried through the lattice, Why is his chariot so long coming? Why are the wheels of his chariots so slow? Her wisest ladies answered her — and she kept saying it over to herself — Haven't they found and divided the plunder? A girl or two for every man. For Sisera, dyed cloth as plunder, dyed cloth with embroidery, embroidered on both sides, for the necks of those who take the plunder. So let all your enemies perish, Lord. But let those who love him be like the sun coming out in its strength. And the land had rest for forty years.
Then Deborah and Barak son of Abinoam sang that day: Bless the Lord for the leaders who led in Israel, for the people who offered themselves willingly. Listen, you kings. Give ear, you rulers. I'll sing to the Lord. I'll sing praise to the Lord God of Israel. Lord, when you went out of Seir, when you marched out of the field of Edom, the earth shook and the heavens dropped, and the clouds dropped water. The mountains melted from in front of the Lord — even Sinai from in front of the Lord God of Israel. In the days of Shamgar son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were empty, and the travellers walked along the back tracks. The villages stopped in Israel, they stopped, till I, Deborah, got up — till I got up, a mother in Israel. They chose new gods. Then there was war in the gates. Was there a shield or a spear seen among forty thousand in Israel? My heart is towards the leaders of Israel, the ones who offered themselves willingly among the people. Bless the Lord. You who ride on white donkeys, you who sit in judgment, and you who walk on the road — talk about it. Away from the noise of the archers at the watering places, that's where they'll tell out the righteous acts of the Lord, the righteous acts towards the villages in Israel. Then the people of the Lord went down to the gates. Wake up, wake up, Deborah. Wake up, wake up and sing a song. Get up, Barak, and take your captives, son of Abinoam. Then he made the ones left rule over the nobles of the people. The Lord made me rule over the mighty. Out of Ephraim there was a root of them against Amalek. After you, Benjamin, among your people. Out of Makir came down leaders, and out of Zebulun the ones who handle the staff of the officer. And the leaders of Issachar were with Deborah. Yes, Issachar, and Barak too. He was sent on foot into the valley. For the divisions of Reuben there were great searchings of heart. Why did you stay among the sheepfolds, to hear the whistling for the flocks? For the divisions of Reuben there were great searchings of heart. Gilead stayed on the other side of the Jordan. And why did Dan stay in ships? Asher sat still at the seashore and stayed in his harbours. Zebulun and Naphtali were a people who risked their lives to death in the high places of the field. The kings came and fought. Then the kings of Canaan fought at Taanach by the waters of Megiddo. They took no money. They fought from heaven. The stars in their courses fought against Sisera. The river Kishon swept them away, that ancient river, the river Kishon. My soul, you've trodden down strength. Then the horses' hooves were broken by the pounding, the pounding of their strong ones. Curse Meroz, said the angel of the Lord. Curse its people bitterly, because they didn't come to help the Lord, to help the Lord against the mighty. Blessed above women is Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite. Blessed will she be above women in the tent. He asked for water, and she gave him milk. She brought butter in a lordly dish. She put her hand to the peg and her right hand to the workman's hammer. And with the hammer she struck Sisera, she struck his head off, and she ran it through his temple. At her feet he bowed, he fell, he lay down. At her feet he bowed, he fell. Where he bowed, that's where he fell down dead. The mother of Sisera looked out at a window and cried through the lattice: Why is his chariot so long coming? Why do the wheels of his chariots hold back? Her wise women answered her. Yes, she gave herself the answer: Haven't they found and divided the plunder — a girl or two for every man, a plunder of coloured cloth for Sisera, a plunder of coloured cloth with embroidery, coloured cloth with embroidery on both sides, for the necks of the ones who take the plunder? So let all the ones against you be finished, Lord. But let the ones who love him be like the sun when it goes out in its strength. And the land had rest forty years.
Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam on that day, saying, Praise ye the LORD for the avenging of Israel, when the people willingly offered themselves. Hear, O ye kings; give ear, O ye princes; I, even I, will sing unto the LORD; I will sing praise to the LORD God of Israel. LORD, when thou wentest out of Seir, when thou marchedst out of the field of Edom, the earth trembled, and the heavens dropped, the clouds also dropped water. The mountains melted from before the LORD, even that Sinai from before the LORD God of Israel. In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were unoccupied, and the travellers walked through byways. The inhabitants of the villages ceased, they ceased in Israel, until that I Deborah arose, that I arose a mother in Israel. They chose new gods; then was war in the gates: was there a shield or spear seen among forty thousand in Israel? My heart is toward the governors of Israel, that offered themselves willingly among the people. Bless ye the LORD. Speak, ye that ride on white asses, ye that sit in judgment, and walk by the way. They that are delivered from the noise of archers in the places of drawing water, there shall they rehearse the righteous acts of the LORD, even the righteous acts toward the inhabitants of his villages in Israel: then shall the people of the LORD go down to the gates. Awake, awake, Deborah: awake, awake, utter a song: arise, Barak, and lead thy captivity captive, thou son of Abinoam. Then he made him that remaineth have dominion over the nobles among the people: the LORD made me have dominion over the mighty. Out of Ephraim was there a root of them against Amalek; after thee, Benjamin, among thy people; out of Machir came down governors, and out of Zebulun they that handle the pen of the writer. And the princes of Issachar were with Deborah; even Issachar, and also Barak: he was sent on foot into the valley. For the divisions of Reuben there were great thoughts of heart. Why abodest thou among the sheepfolds, to hear the bleatings of the flocks? For the divisions of Reuben there were great searchings of heart. Gilead abode beyond Jordan: and why did Dan remain in ships? Asher continued on the sea shore, and abode in his breaches. Zebulun and Naphtali were a people that jeoparded their lives unto the death in the high places of the field. The kings came and fought, then fought the kings of Canaan in Taanach by the waters of Megiddo; they took no gain of money. They fought from heaven; the stars in their courses fought against Sisera. The river of Kishon swept them away, that ancient river, the river Kishon. O my soul, thou hast trodden down strength. Then were the horsehoofs broken by the means of the pransings, the pransings of their mighty ones. Curse ye Meroz, said the angel of the LORD, curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof; because they came not to the help of the LORD, to the help of the LORD against the mighty. Blessed above women shall Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite be, blessed shall she be above women in the tent. He asked water, and she gave him milk; she brought forth butter in a lordly dish. She put her hand to the nail, and her right hand to the workmen’s hammer; and with the hammer she smote Sisera, she smote off his head, when she had pierced and stricken through his temples. At her feet he bowed, he fell, he lay down: at her feet he bowed, he fell: where he bowed, there he fell down dead. The mother of Sisera looked out at a window, and cried through the lattice, Why is his chariot so long in coming? why tarry the wheels of his chariots? Her wise ladies answered her, yea, she returned answer to herself, Have they not sped? have they not divided the prey; to every man a damsel or two; to Sisera a prey of divers colours, a prey of divers colours of needlework, of divers colours of needlework on both sides, meet for the necks of them that take the spoil? So let all thine enemies perish, O LORD: but let them that love him be as the sun when he goeth forth in his might. And the land had rest forty years.
Then Deborah and Barak son of Abinoam sang on that day:
Then Deborah and Barak son of Abinoam sang that day:
Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam on that day, saying,
Praise the LORD for the avenging of Israel, when the people willingly offered themselves.
Bless the Lord for the leaders who led in Israel, for the people who offered themselves willingly.
Praise ye the LORD for the avenging of Israel, when the people willingly offered themselves.
Hear this, you kings. Listen, you princes. I, even I, will sing to the Lord. I will sing praise to the Lord God of Israel.
Listen, you kings. Give ear, you rulers. I'll sing to the Lord. I'll sing praise to the Lord God of Israel.
Hear, O ye kings; give ear, O ye princes; I, even I, will sing unto the LORD; I will sing praise to the LORD God of Israel.
Lord, when you went out from Seir, when you marched from the country of Edom, the earth trembled and the heavens poured, and the clouds poured down water.
Lord, when you went out of Seir, when you marched out of the field of Edom, the earth shook and the heavens dropped, and the clouds dropped water.
LORD, when thou wentest out of Seir, when thou marchedst out of the field of Edom, the earth trembled, and the heavens dropped, the clouds also dropped water.
The mountains melted before the Lord — that Sinai, before the Lord God of Israel.
The mountains melted from in front of the Lord — even Sinai from in front of the Lord God of Israel.
The mountains melted from before the LORD, even that Sinai from before the LORD God of Israel.
In the days of Shamgar son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the roads were empty, and travellers kept to the back tracks.
In the days of Shamgar son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were empty, and the travellers walked along the back tracks.
In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were unoccupied, and the travellers walked through byways.
Village life in Israel had come to a stop. It had stopped, until I, Deborah, arose — until I arose, a mother in Israel.
The villages stopped in Israel, they stopped, till I, Deborah, got up — till I got up, a mother in Israel.
The inhabitants of the villages ceased, they ceased in Israel, until that I Deborah arose, that I arose a mother in Israel.
They chose new gods, and then there was war at the gates. Was there a shield or a spear to be seen among forty thousand in Israel?
They chose new gods. Then there was war in the gates. Was there a shield or a spear seen among forty thousand in Israel?
They chose new gods; then was war in the gates: was there a shield or spear seen among forty thousand in Israel?
My heart goes out to the commanders of Israel, who offered themselves willingly among the people. Bless the Lord.
My heart is towards the leaders of Israel, the ones who offered themselves willingly among the people. Bless the Lord.
My heart is toward the governors of Israel, that offered themselves willingly among the people. Bless ye the LORD.
Speak of it, you who ride on white donkeys, you who sit in judgment, and you who walk by the way.
You who ride on white donkeys, you who sit in judgment, and you who walk on the road — talk about it.
Speak, ye that ride on white asses, ye that sit in judgment, and walk by the way.
Those delivered from the noise of archers at the watering places will tell again the righteous acts of the LORD, the righteous acts toward his villages in Israel. Then the people of the LORD went down to the gates.
Away from the noise of the archers at the watering places, that's where they'll tell out the righteous acts of the Lord, the righteous acts towards the villages in Israel. Then the people of the Lord went down to the gates.
They that are delivered from the noise of archers in the places of drawing water, there shall they rehearse the righteous acts of the LORD, even the righteous acts toward the inhabitants of his villages in Israel: then shall the people of the LORD go down to the gates.
Awake, awake, Deborah. Awake, awake, break out in song. Get up, Barak, and lead your captives away, son of Abinoam.
Wake up, wake up, Deborah. Wake up, wake up and sing a song. Get up, Barak, and take your captives, son of Abinoam.
Awake, awake, Deborah: awake, awake, utter a song: arise, Barak, and lead thy captivity captive, thou son of Abinoam.
Then he made those who remained have dominion over the nobles among the people. The LORD made me have dominion over the mighty.
Then he made the ones left rule over the nobles of the people. The Lord made me rule over the mighty.
Then he made him that remaineth have dominion over the nobles among the people: the LORD made me have dominion over the mighty.
Out of Ephraim came a root of them against Amalek. After you, Benjamin, among your people. Out of Machir came down governors, and out of Zebulun those who handle the pen of the writer.
Out of Ephraim there was a root of them against Amalek. After you, Benjamin, among your people. Out of Makir came down leaders, and out of Zebulun the ones who handle the staff of the officer.
Out of Ephraim was there a root of them against Amalek; after thee, Benjamin, among thy people; out of Machir came down governors, and out of Zebulun they that handle the pen of the writer.
And the princes of Issachar were with Deborah — Issachar, and Barak too, sent on foot into the valley. Among the divisions of Reuben there was much searching of heart.
And the leaders of Issachar were with Deborah. Yes, Issachar, and Barak too. He was sent on foot into the valley. For the divisions of Reuben there were great searchings of heart.
And the princes of Issachar were with Deborah; even Issachar, and also Barak: he was sent on foot into the valley. For the divisions of Reuben there were great thoughts of heart.
Why did you stay among the sheepfolds, listening to the whistling for the flocks? Among the divisions of Reuben there was much searching of heart.
Why did you stay among the sheepfolds, to hear the whistling for the flocks? For the divisions of Reuben there were great searchings of heart.
Why abodest thou among the sheepfolds, to hear the bleatings of the flocks? For the divisions of Reuben there were great searchings of heart.
Gilead stayed beyond the Jordan. And Dan — why did he stay by the ships? Asher sat still at the seashore and stayed by his inlets.
Gilead stayed on the other side of the Jordan. And why did Dan stay in ships? Asher sat still at the seashore and stayed in his harbours.
Gilead abode beyond Jordan: and why did Dan remain in ships? Asher continued on the sea shore, and abode in his breaches.
Zebulun and Naphtali were a people who risked their lives to the death on the heights of the field.
Zebulun and Naphtali were a people who risked their lives to death in the high places of the field.
Zebulun and Naphtali were a people that jeoparded their lives unto the death in the high places of the field.
The kings came and fought. Then the kings of Canaan fought at Taanach by the waters of Megiddo. They took no plunder of silver.
The kings came and fought. Then the kings of Canaan fought at Taanach by the waters of Megiddo. They took no money.
The kings came and fought, then fought the kings of Canaan in Taanach by the waters of Megiddo; they took no gain of money.
They fought from heaven. The stars in their courses fought against Sisera.
They fought from heaven; the stars in their courses fought against Sisera.
The river Kishon swept them away, that ancient river, the river Kishon. O my soul, you have trodden down strength.
The river Kishon swept them away, that ancient river, the river Kishon. My soul, you've trodden down strength.
The river of Kishon swept them away, that ancient river, the river Kishon. O my soul, thou hast trodden down strength.
Then the horses' hooves were broken by the pounding, the pounding of their mighty ones.
Then the horses' hooves were broken by the pounding, the pounding of their strong ones.
Then were the horsehoofs broken by the means of the pransings, the pransings of their mighty ones.
Curse Meroz, said the angel of the Lord. Curse its people bitterly, because they didn't come to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty.
Curse Meroz, said the angel of the Lord. Curse its people bitterly, because they didn't come to help the Lord, to help the Lord against the mighty.
Curse ye Meroz, said the angel of the LORD, curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof; because they came not to the help of the LORD, to the help of the LORD against the mighty.
Blessed above women is Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite. Blessed above women in the tent.
Blessed above women is Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite. Blessed will she be above women in the tent.
Blessed above women shall Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite be, blessed shall she be above women in the tent.
He asked for water, and she gave him milk. She brought him butter in a lordly dish.
He asked for water, and she gave him milk. She brought butter in a lordly dish.
He asked water, and she gave him milk; she brought forth butter in a lordly dish.
She put her hand to the tent peg, and her right hand to the workman's hammer. With the hammer she struck Sisera; she struck off his head after piercing and striking through his temples.
She put her hand to the peg and her right hand to the workman's hammer. And with the hammer she struck Sisera, she struck his head off, and she ran it through his temple.
She put her hand to the nail, and her right hand to the workmen’s hammer; and with the hammer she smote Sisera, she smote off his head, when she had pierced and stricken through his temples.
At her feet he sank down. He fell. He lay still. At her feet he sank down, he fell. Where he sank down, there he fell dead.
At her feet he bowed, he fell, he lay down. At her feet he bowed, he fell. Where he bowed, that's where he fell down dead.
At her feet he bowed, he fell, he lay down: at her feet he bowed, he fell: where he bowed, there he fell down dead.
The mother of Sisera looked out of a window and cried through the lattice, Why is his chariot so long coming? Why are the wheels of his chariots so slow?
The mother of Sisera looked out at a window and cried through the lattice: Why is his chariot so long coming? Why do the wheels of his chariots hold back?
The mother of Sisera looked out at a window, and cried through the lattice, Why is his chariot so long in coming? why tarry the wheels of his chariots?
Her wisest ladies answered her — and she kept saying it over to herself —
Her wise women answered her. Yes, she gave herself the answer:
Her wise ladies answered her, yea, she returned answer to herself,
Haven't they found and divided the plunder? A girl or two for every man. For Sisera, dyed cloth as plunder, dyed cloth with embroidery, embroidered on both sides, for the necks of those who take the plunder.
Haven't they found and divided the plunder — a girl or two for every man, a plunder of coloured cloth for Sisera, a plunder of coloured cloth with embroidery, coloured cloth with embroidery on both sides, for the necks of the ones who take the plunder?
Have they not sped? have they not divided the prey; to every man a damsel or two; to Sisera a prey of divers colours, a prey of divers colours of needlework, of divers colours of needlework on both sides, meet for the necks of them that take the spoil?
So let all your enemies perish, Lord. But let those who love him be like the sun coming out in its strength. And the land had rest for forty years.
So let all the ones against you be finished, Lord. But let the ones who love him be like the sun when it goes out in its strength. And the land had rest forty years.
So let all thine enemies perish, O LORD: but let them that love him be as the sun when he goeth forth in his might. And the land had rest forty years.