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Our Lord, you have made
    your nation stronger.[a]
Because of you, its people
    are glad and celebrate
like workers at harvest time
or like soldiers dividing up
    what they have taken.

You have broken the power
of those who abused
    and enslaved your people.
You have rescued them
just as you saved your people
    from Midian.[b]
The boots of marching warriors
and the blood-stained uniforms
    have been fed to flames
    and eaten by fire.

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Footnotes

  1. 9.3 stronger: Or “happy” or “larger.”
  2. 9.4 rescued … from Midian: The time when Gideon defeated the people of Midian in Jezreel Valley (see Judges 6–8).

You have enlarged the nation(A)
    and increased their joy;(B)
they rejoice before you
    as people rejoice at the harvest,
as warriors rejoice
    when dividing the plunder.(C)
For as in the day of Midian’s defeat,(D)
    you have shattered(E)
the yoke(F) that burdens them,
    the bar across their shoulders,(G)
    the rod of their oppressor.(H)
Every warrior’s boot used in battle
    and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning,(I)
    will be fuel for the fire.

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