This paper presents an analysis of Deborah’s poem (Judg 5) in the apocryphal work of Pseudo-Philo, Liber Antiquitatum Biblicarum, from the first century AD. The work was probably originally written in Hebrew, but survived only in a Latin translation. In 65 chapters of varying length, it comprises a reworking of biblical narratives from Adam to David. The biblical narrative of Deborah in Judges 4 and Deborah’s song in the form of a prayer of praise in Judges 5 are included in this apocryphon in chapters 30‒33 within the broader framework of an edifying exhortation to faith in the God who rescues Israel in all the perils of the struggle for survival. The basic instructional purpose of the apocrypha retains the essential prayer elements of the original song of Deborah. Using a comparative approach, the paper focuses on segments of Deborah’s song as a prayer of praise. In its original poetic form, the prayer expresses Deborah’s feelings and her faith in God, who in his providence always helps his people when they are in need and asks for help. In a comparative analysis of the post-biblical reworking of this poem, the paper takes into account the changed historical circumstances in the Roman era to show how much the theological basis of Jewish prayers and instruction depends on historical circumstances.
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