215
Comp. Psalm 2:2 - these, of course, are kings and princes of the heathen.
216
Always used of sacred song with instrumental accompaniment.
217
Deborah begins with the record of God's great doings of old in the wildernes s, the later parallel being in
Psalm 68:7, 8. Comp. here especially Exodus 19 and Deuteronomy 33:2, and for the expressions, Psalm 47:5;
114:7; Isaiah 63:12; 64:2; Jeremiah 10:10; Joel 3:16.
218
Here the first stanza of the first division of this song ends. There are in all three sections, each of three
stanzas. The reader will have no difficulty in marking the progress of thought.
219
Cassel, as I think fancifully, regards "Jael," not as referring to the wife of Heber, but as a poetic name for
Shamgar or Ehud.
220
Or were deserted.
221
That is, the country with open villages and towns, in opposition to walled cities.
222
That is, "shield and spear were not seen." So low had the fortunes of Israel fallen before their enemies.
223
The expression is not without difficulty; Cassel would render it by pack-saddled.
224
The reference here is evidently to abiding in tents, whether the word be rendered mats, carpets, garments,
or coverings.
225
Viz., the contrast between the insecurity of former times and the present happy condition. Cassel happily
points out that, as in Psalm 1:1, the reference is to the three classes: those who sit, who stand, and who go.
226
The language is very difficult. To us it seems to indicate the contrast between the noise of battle and the
peaceful scene of the maidens, who can now go without fear outside the gates to draw water.
227
The righteous deeds are here the mighty deeds, and so we have rendered it in the next line.
228
Seems to mean: His mighty deeds in reference to, or as seen in t he villages and unwalled towns of Israel.
229
There seems an allusion here to the ancient glory of the tribes: Ephraim, from which sprang Joshua, the
conqueror of Amalek.
230
"Nations," here equivalent to heathens, and the reference is to Ehud.
231
Machir is Manasseh, Genesis 50:23.
232
These two tribes then distinguished for peaceful avocations. Such was the former glory of Israel. In the
next stanza Deborah proceeds to sketch the present state of the tribes.
233
In his territory the battle was fought - the rendering "foundation" is after the Jewish commentaries.
234
Here begins the censure of the tribes who should have taken part.
235
Such is its plea.