NOTES for Jdg 5:1-31
In celebrating the victory over her enemies, Deborah composed not merely a commemorative song but a psalm in which the events are understood from the perspective of the Lord’s guidance of His people. One of the hymn’s key passages—“They chose new gods; then war was in the gates”—reflects an understanding of the meaning of what had happened. This thought was not new, although it was constantly forgotten. But another important passage—“March on, my soul, with might!”—contains a thought that at that time had probably not yet taken root in the people’s consciousness. Deborah’s insight is contained in these words: victory was won not by weapons, not by physical strength, but by the power of faith. This is one of those places in the Old Testament that speaks not only of the might of the Lord who stands up for His people, but also of the power of faith that makes it possible to rely on protection from above.