ALPHA MAAMA (A.M.)

Sapate ‘Okatopa 24, 2021

PEA toki hiva ‘i he ‘aho ko ia ‘a Tepola

Then sang Deborah… on that day 

Fakamaau 5 (Judges 5)

 (v. 1-3) PEA toki hiva ‘i he ‘aho ko ia ‘a Tepola, pea mo Pēlake ko e foha ‘o ‘Apinoame, ‘o pehē, Mou fakafeta‘i ki he ‘Eiki, ‘I he mu‘aki ‘a e kau takimu‘a ‘o ‘Isileli, Mo e vēkeveke fai ‘a e kakai. Me‘a mai, ‘a e ngaahi tu‘i, Fanongo mai ‘a hou‘eiki; Ko au ē te u lave ki he ‘Eiki, Te u tā nafa kia Sihova ko e ‘Otua ‘o ‘Isileli.

(v. 1-3) Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam on that day: “That the leaders took the lead in Israel, that the people offered themselves willingly, bless the Lord! “Hear, O kings; give ear, O princes; to the Lord I will sing; I will make melody to the Lord, the God of Israel.

* G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible*

Here we have preserved for us the great song of Deborah, composed and sung in celebration of the victory. It is full of fire and passion and is a remarkable index to the character of the woman herself. It may be divided into two main parts. First, verses one to eleven is a great chant of confidence, telling the story of the deepest secret of the victories. Everything is attributed to the direct government and activity of God. In it she recognized that the leaders were raised and the people followed as the result of His inspiring. Therefore the song uttered His praise. His doings were celebrated from Seir until the day when Israel lacked warriors. She sang the praise of God because He had governed the governors and the people.

The second part of the song celebrates the victory. In the course of it she poured scorn upon those who failed to respond to the call and to come "to the help of Jehovah against the mighty" and spoke in terms of approval of those who did respond. The song gathers strength as it proceeds and celebrates the victory, and in the midst of the great outburst it curses the neutrals and blesses the woman who struck the blow of death to the tyrant Sisera.

Finally the song rejoiced over the death of the tyrant in language that thrills with Eastern imagery and color. Everything ends with the cry, "So let all Thine enemies perish, O Jehovah"; and the prayer, "But let them that love Him be as the sun when he goeth forth in his might." After this deliverance the land had rest again for forty years.

* David Guzik :: Study Guide for Judges 5*

This song is commonly attributed only to Deborah; Barak’s role in the composition and perhaps performance of the song is often overlooked.

This song is well within the tradition of other Jewish songs of deliverance and celebration, such as Miriam’s song (Exodus 15:20-21) and the songs celebrating David’s victory over Goliath (1 Samuel 18:7). “Deborah was a poetess as well as a prophetess.” (Trapp)

“Deborah sang concerning the overthrow of Israel’s enemies, and the deliverance vouchsafed to the tribes: we have a far richer theme for music; we have been delivered from worse enemies, and saved by a greater salvation. Let our gratitude be deeper; let our song be more jubilant.” (Spurgeon)

“When he had been most slandered — when the Pope had launched out a new bull, and when the kings of the earth had threatened him fiercely — Luther would gather together his friends, and say, ‘Come let us sing a psalm and spite the devil.’ He would ever sing the most psalms when the world roared the most.” (Spurgeon)