9. Governors. After depicting the troubles of Israel the poet turns in 9 to 11 to ask various categories of Hebrew citizens to give thanks for those who had helped to put an end to their Canaanite overlords. First of these were the “governors” or, literally, the “lawgivers” or “law enforcers.” These were princes like Barak who risked their lives for Israel’s victory. They were men in the government of Israel whose duty it was to stand for law and national order, and on this occasion they showed themselves to be worthy of their trust. Deborah could well call upon the people to thank God for the part such men had played in the defeat of their enemies, the Canaanites.
There are many faithful leaders in the churches of today, both lay and clergy, who have given the best years of their lives fully and willingly for the sake of the well-being of the church. Such men deserve the appreciation of the church and of society. We may well bless God for them and their labors, as Deborah did for the leaders who helped to fire with zeal the uprising against the Canaanites.