On the day of victory, Deborah and Barak son of Abinoam lifted their voices in a song of praise to the Lord — a song that echoed across Israel, celebrating God's mighty deliverance.
"When the princes of Israel take the lead, when the people willingly offer themselves — praise the Lord!" they sang.
"Hear this, you kings and rulers! I will sing to the Lord, the God of Israel. When You, O Lord, marched from Seir, when You moved from the land of Edom, the earth trembled, the heavens poured rain, and the mountains quaked before You — the God of Sinai, the God of Israel."
They remembered how dark and dangerous the land had been before the battle. "In the days of Shamgar and Jael," they sang, "travelers avoided the roads. Villages were deserted until I, Deborah, arose — a mother in Israel. But when the people turned to new gods, war came to their gates, and not a shield or spear was seen among forty thousand in Israel."
Deborah's heart rejoiced over the leaders and volunteers who stood up for God's people. "You who ride on white donkeys," she sang, "and you who walk along the road — remember the songs sung at the watering places, telling of the Lord's victories and His deliverance for Israel."
Then the song called out, "Wake up, Deborah! Awake and sing! Arise, Barak, and take your captives!"
From Ephraim and Benjamin came warriors; from Zebulun and Naphtali came those who risked their very lives on the battlefield. But some tribes hesitated — Reuben stayed among the campfires, Gilead remained beyond the Jordan, Dan lingered by his ships, and Asher stayed by the seashore.
Still, the faithful fought bravely. "Kings came and fought," the song continued, "but they took no plunder. From the heavens, even the stars fought against Sisera. The Kishon River swept them away — that ancient river carried off the mighty. March on, my soul, with strength!"
Then came the thunder of horses' hooves — galloping, pounding — as the Lord's enemies fell.
"Curse Meroz," said the angel of the Lord, "for they did not come to help the Lord against the mighty."
But then the song turned to honor Jael, the brave wife of Heber the Kenite. "Most blessed of women be Jael," they sang. "He asked for water, and she gave him milk — she reached for the tent peg and the hammer, struck Sisera, crushed his head, and pierced his temple. He fell at her feet — where he sank, he lay dead."
Far away, Sisera's mother waited by a window, wondering, "Why is his chariot delayed? Why does the sound of his horses not come?" Her ladies tried to comfort her, saying, "Surely they are dividing the spoils — fine garments, embroidered clothes, treasures for Sisera." But Sisera would never return.
The song ended with a declaration:
"So may all Your enemies perish, O Lord, but may those who love You be like the sun, rising in strength."
And once again, the land of Israel had peace for forty years.