O my soul, march on in strength, Deborah, Judges 5:21 NKJ
Here we have a curious word translated as “march” in English. It’s the Hebrew word “darak” - often translated as “tread” as in the following verses:
Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon, I have given you, as I said unto Moses. Joshua 1:3 KJ
Every place on which the sole of your foot treads shall be yours….no man shall be able to stand against you….Deuteronomy 11:24-25
Happy are you, O Israel! Your enemies shall submit to you, and you shall tread down their high places. Deuteronomy 33:29
By implication, the word march – the word tread - is connected to taking dominion and taking authority. And this is what Deborah is modeling for us. Not only is she taking physical dominion over the land, she is also taking authority and dominion over her soul. She is proclaiming over herself that she will be strong. She will be resolute. She will not be subdued by any enemies, whether those enemies be external – the “ites” of the land - or whether those enemies be internal, such as a lack of fortitude, a lack of emotional strength, fear, doubt, the list could continue. She is taking governance over her own self, her mind, will, and emotions.
And although Deborah didn’t pen the words, she has known by experience “it is God who arms me with strength, and makes my way perfect” (Psalm 18:32). And this is why she can declare, according the NIV translation, March on, my soul; be strong! She uses her words wisely, she governs her mind, will, and emotion, and this is our example. What will we proclaim over ourselves on a daily basis and especially in times of crisis.
The King James translates Deborah’s 5:21 proclamation as “oh my soul, thou has trodden down in strength, and more accurately captures the strength of the word darak. For the word is also used to explain the strength of a bowstring being pulled back. By bending the bowstring back, the bowstring is being tread upon.” This is the power of the “march” of the army of the Lord, the “march” of good soldiers for Christ who endure hardship well and don’t bend or bow down under the weight of affliction. For in this world we have tribulation, but as Christ overcame the world, we too overcome, by His blood and by the word of our testimony (Revelation 12:11).
We don’t overcome by complaint! We overcome by a resolute heart, willing to tread. Willing to tread upon our circumstances when the situation calls for it. For we overcome when we realize our strength doesn’t have to be small in the day of adversity (Proverbs 24:10), when accept it’s our circumstances that allow our strength to be forged, and not the soft life of abounding comfort. But we can take heart with Deborah and with David, for indeed “It is God who arms me with strength, and makes my way perfect.” We can proclaim it, and then we can live by it.
Darak (H1869): to tread; by implication to walk; also to string a bow (by treading on it by bending): - archer, bend, come draw, go (over) guide, lead (forth), thresh, tread (down)
Finally, there is a supernatural force and power in the Word. This is why reading the word, knowing the word, meditating on the word, and declaring the word is invaluable. The more you know the word, the more powerful you become in your spirit-man. Also, meditating on the word makes your way prosperous and gives you much success. (see Joshua 1:8) Accordingly,
here are some promises from the word (NKJ version unless otherwise noted) to meditate on that will strengthen your inner man. May the Holy Spirit highlight one of these verses for you to hold in your heart:
Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD! Psalm 27:14
The LORD will give strength to His people; the LORD will bless His people with peace. Psalm 29:11
Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord. Psalm 31:24
You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed (fixed) on You. Isaiah 26:3
Be supernaturally infused with strength through your life-union with the Lord Jesus. Ephesians 6:10 The Passion Translation
But the Lord is faithful, and He will give you strength and guard you from the evil one…may the Lord turn your hearts toward the love of God and the fortitude of Christ.
2 Thessalonians 3:3-5 excerpt The Jerusalem Bible
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