The fourth song is in the book of Judges. Concerning it there is written, And Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam sang on that day, saying, ‘That the princes took the lead in Israel, that the people offered themselves willingly, bless the Lord! Hear, O kings, give ear, O governors!’ and the rest. And the person who sings this ought to be a bee, whose product is used by kings and ordinary people for their health. For Deborah, who sings this song, means bee. Moreover, Barak is with her; and his name means flashing. And this song is sung after a victory, because no one can sing of what is perfect unless he has conquered his adversaries. Furthermore, it is said in this song, Awake, awake, Deborah! Stir up the thousands of the people. Awake, awake, utter a song! Awake, Barak! But you will find these matters more fully discussed in the homilies we have given on the book of Judges.

Hear, O kings. She names them kings who are called together to hear the word of God. You should rejoice, people of God, at this emblem of your nobility. It is not as just any people that you are called to hear the word of God, but as a king, for to you it was said, You are a royal, priestly race, a people for God’s possession.^[1] Because you are kings, therefore, Christ our Lord is rightly called the King of kings and the Lord of lords.^[2] However, as you revel in this title of your nobility, you should also learn what each one of you must do to be a king. Let me outline it for you briefly. You are made a king if Christ reigns in you, for he is called a king by reigning. If also in you, therefore, the soul reigns and the body submits, if you put the concupiscence of the flesh under of yoke of your command, if you subdue every kind of vice by the tight bridle of your sobriety, then you who know how to reign are also rightly called a king.

Awake, Awake, Deborah! Increase righteousness, establish the people, arise for the glory of God and the salvation of the people. Gathering strength, arise Barak! Arise and establish [the people] as was said to Moses, Stand by me.^[1] David likewise said, Our feet stand in your courts, O Jerusalem.^[2] He set my feet upon the rock.^[3] Therefore, gathering strength, arise and say, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!^[4] You are my strength and my song, O Lord. But also you, Deborah, strengthen Barak. For the saints also give courage to us in the power of the Lord, instructing our souls against our enemies. But every mind should be held captive to the obedience of Christ.^[5] And if, Deborah, you should fall in your work, like what happened to Jonathan [when he tasted the honey],^[6] may your soul be strengthened by the sweet taste of prophecy.