1 Then Deborah {Devorah: Israel’s Judge} and Barak {Barak: army commander}, son of Avinoam, sang on that day, saying:
2 When the leaders {bifroa: taking the lead} in Israel rise up and the people offer themselves willingly, bless the LORD {YHWH, Praiseworthy King}!
3 Hear, O kings! Give ear, O rulers! I, even I, will sing to the LORD {YHWH, Praise Recipient}; I will sing praise to the LORD, the God of Israel {Elohei Yisrael, National Redeemer}.
4 LORD {YHWH, Divine Marcher}, when You went out from Seir and marched from the field of Edom {sedeh: region}, the earth trembled, the heavens poured, and the clouds poured water.
5 The mountains melted {nazlu: shook and melted} before the LORD {YHWH, Majestic Presence}; even Sinai quaked before the LORD the God of Israel.
6 In the days of Shamgar son of Anath, in the days of Jael, highways {orachot: major thoroughfares} ceased {chadlu: came to a halt}, and the walkers of paths walked on winding paths.
7 The open settlements {perazon: unwalled villages} ceased in Israel; they ceased until I, Deborah, arose—until I arose as a mother {’em: life-giver and protector} in Israel.
8 They chose new gods {elohim chadashim: newly adopted deities}; then war was at the gates. Was a shield {magen: defensive weapon} or spear to be seen among forty thousand in Israel?
9 My heart is with the lawgivers of Israel, the volunteers {mitnadevim: those who freely volunteer} among the people. Bless the LORD {YHWH, Giver of Favor}!
10 Riders of white donkeys, those sitting upon fine coverings{middin: rich seat coverings}, and those walking on the road—speak{sikhu: ponder deeply}.
11 From the voice of the musicians {mekhatsatsim: celebrants who sing out} between the watering places, there they recount the righteous deeds of the LORD {YHWH, Mighty Defender} and the righteous deeds of the villagers in Israel. Then the people of the LORD went down to the gates.
12 Stir yourself, stir yourself, Deborah! Stir yourself, stir yourself—sing out a song {shir: victory poem}! Rise, Barak; lead away your captives {shevyecha: conquered foe}, son of Abinoam.
13 Then the remnant {sarid: preserved survivors} descended to the nobles; the people of the LORD {YHWH, Delivering Sovereign} descended for me against the mighty.
14 From Ephraim their root was in Amalek; after you Benjamin was among your people. From Machir came down decree enactors {mechokekim: decree enactors} and from Zebulun those who wielded the staff, an official recorder {sofer: official recorder}.
15 The princes of Issachar were with Deborah {Devorah: judge and prophetess}, and Issachar likewise was with Barak. Into the valley they rushed at his heels, and among the divisions of Reuben there were great searchings-of-heart {chikkei-lev: inner resolve}.
16 Why did you remain among the sheepfolds {mishpetayim: pastoral enclosures} to hear the whistles of the flocks? In the clans of Reuben, great were the searchings of heart {chikrei-lev: deep self-examination}.
17 Gilead settled {shachen: dwelt permanently} beyond the Jordan, and Dan—why did he linger {yagur: hesitate to settle} at the ships? Asher dwelt on the seashore and remained in his inlets.
18 Zebulun was a people who risked their lives {napshaho: soul life} unto death, and Naphtali was also on the heights of the field {meromey: elevated places}.
19 Kings came and fought; then the kings of Canaan fought at Taanach, by the waters of Megiddo, and they took no gain {betsa‘: plunder} of silver {kesef: precious metal}.
20 From the heavens {shamayim: celestial realm}, the stars fought; from their courses {mesilot: orbital paths}, they fought against Sisera.
21 The river Kishon {Kishon: Watercourse} swept them away; that ancient river, the river Kishon. Tread on, O my soul {nafshi: Inner Life}, in strength.
22 Then the horses’ hoofs thundered {holmu: booming impact} in the galloping, galloping of his mighty steeds {abirayv: cavalry chargers}.
23 "Curse Meroz," said the angel of the LORD {YHWH: Divine Commander}; "curse! utterly curse its inhabitants {yoshveha: those dwelling there}, because they did not come to the help of the LORD, to the help of the LORD against the mighty."
24 Most blessed {tevorakh: superlative praise} of women is Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite; among tent-dwelling {ba-ohel: canvas dwelling} women she is most blessed.
25 He asked for water, but she gave him milk; in a bowl {sefel: ceremonial vessel} for nobles she brought him curds {chemah: thick cream}.
26 She reached out her hand to the tent peg {yated: anchoring stake} and her right hand to the hammer {halmut: workmen’s hammer} of the workmen; she struck Sisera, she crushed his head, she smashed and she pierced his temple.
27 Between her feet he bowed down {kara: prostrated posture}, he fell, he lay; between her feet he bowed down, he fell; where he bowed down, there he fell—shattered {shadud: utterly destroyed}.
28 Through the window she looked out, and the mother {em: maternal sorrow} of Sisera cried out through the lattice, “Why is his chariot delayed in coming? Why are the steps {paamei: rhythmic approach} of his chariots so late?”
29 Her wisest princesses {saroteha: noble women} answer; indeed, she herself returns {tashiv: brings back} her words to herself.
30 Do they not find and divide the spoil: a woman, even two {rachamatayim: dual number usage} for the head of each man; colored garments {tseva’im: colored attire} as spoil for Sisera; embroidery, color, and double embroidery for the necks of those who take the spoil?
31 So may all your enemies perish, O LORD {YHWH, Righteous Judge}! But may His lovers be like the sun when it goes forth in its strength {gevurah: radiant power}. And the land was quiet for forty years.