What does Judges 5:9 mean?

Deborah has been singing (Judges 5:1) of the dark times during Israel's cruelly oppressive captivity to Sisera and the Canaanites (Judges 5:6–7). In symbolic terms, she indicated there wasn't a single military weapon found among 40,000 Israelites. Likely, this meant Israel's armaments had been confiscated by the Canaanites or given up as the people despaired.

Now Deborah returns to the theme hinted at from the start of her song. The modern English phrase "my heart goes out" is mostly used as an expression of pity, or sympathy. In this case, Deborah means that her support—her love, her spirit, her approval—is for those leaders. Specifically, she means the commanders of Israel who volunteered to fight with Barak against the Canaanites. This was especially brave given that—at the time they were called—they didn't have much in the way of shields or spears (Judges 5:8).

Once again, Deborah blesses the Lord for this circumstance. She credits God for the willingness of brave men to offer themselves for battle.